His words sting, but only because they hold so much truth to them.
“I was worried you were going to bolt when I told you about the baby, and I was trying to protect myself. I’m so sorry, I should have given you the benefit of the doubt.”
“No, you shouldn’t have,” Ronan chimes in.
“Screw you,” Kieran retorts.
“You don’t exactly scream father material, no offense.”
“Offense taken. I mean, look at me. I’m clearly more of a natural than you,” he says as Nico starts to fuss in Ronan’s arms.
“Stop bickering,” Ciara mutters with her eyes still closed. “I’m trying to sleep.”
“Sorry, Tine Bhaeg.” Ronan bends down to brush a kiss against her temple. “Go back to sleep.”
“I think you should do it,” Kieran whispers in my ear while Ronan is distracted.
“Really?”
“Really.”
“But—”
“We can make it work, even if it means I take on more responsibility with the baby.”
“Who would have thought, my brother, the stay-at-home dad,” Ronan teases, and I swallow a laugh.
“Speak for yourself. You’ll be trading your Glock for a set of golf clubs soon enough.”
“And I give Ciara full permission to use it on me because I will not be seen dead in khakis and a polo.”
“Even if it was all black?” I fight a smile.
“I know what I’m getting you for Christmas,” Kieran says, and Ronan flips him off.
“Well, jokes on you because you can’t have Elena. She’s under a strict contract that means she can never leave us.”
“That’s okay because we’re not moving out.”
I have to stifle a laugh as I look between Kieran and Ronan.
They may be two of the most powerful and feared men in New York, but right now, they’re nothing more than a pair of squabbling brothers.
“Please be joking.”
“Not even a little bit. Soon, there will be three screaming babies under your roof,” Kieran reminds him.
“Help me out here, Riley,” Ronan pleads.
“It was Ciara’s suggestion.” I shrug. “Besides, you have a bigger TV than Kieran’s, so I’m definitely not leaving.”
“Don’t bring size into this,” Kieran warns.
Ronan scowls. “Gross, not in front of my kid.”
“I was talking about the TV!”
“What did Ijustsay?” Ciara grumbles.
