“That the reason Icilio and I decided I had to get out of town was because I realized I was pregnant from our night together,” she said. She hoped he took it well.
Halligan’s arms tightened around her, his lips brushing her forehead. “A baby? You’re giving me a baby?” Halligan whispered.
He breathed deeply against her and chuckled. “Oh, thank fuck. I was bringing you breakfast to apologize for completely forgetting about protecting you from pregnancy, and then you threw up, and I worried something might be seriously wrong with you. But it’s a baby. You’re giving me a child. I’m so happy,” he said, standing up and spinning around with her in his arms.
The motion kicked the nausea back in.
“Whoa, let’s stop the spinning before you make me throw up again,” Loni said. Halligan paused, his eyes shining with excitement.
“You’ve made me the happiest man ever, Loni,” Halligan said, pressing his lips to hers in the softest kiss he’d ever given her. It wasn’t a claiming; it was a promise to her. She’d been so worried about how he’d take it, but his response was everything she’d hoped for.
Halligan sat on the couch beside Loni, his leg tapping as he waited for everyone to quiet down. After Loni had told him the news, he’d texted his family that they would be having a meeting at his apartment at eleven a.m., and he wanted Schaefer to be ready with an update.
Loni was feeling better. She’d been flitting around the apartment, worried about how his family would take the news. Halligan hid a smile, thinking she had no idea how much his dad and uncles wanted the next generation.
Stinger, Shield, Renae, and Brew were attending the meeting. Halligan wanted everyone on the same page. He’d been concerned before, but if Franco found out Loni was pregnant, Halligan worried about what the little psycho would do.
“Son, everyone’s here. You called this meeting. Do you want to talk first before Schaefer gives his update?” Bill asked.
Halligan nodded, gave Loni’s knee a reassuring squeeze, and stood up.
“Thank you all for coming. I do have something to say before we start. Last night, Loni and I decided we are going to give this marriage a go. I told her that I thought letting her go would be my biggest mistake.” Halligan paused because the catcalls and whistles would drown out anything he said. Once the congratulations and backslaps calmed down, he continued.
“But then, Loni told me the greatest news, and we wanted to share it with all of you—our family and friends. We’re pregnant!” Halligan yelled.
Pandemonium broke out, with Quinton grabbing Loni to spin her. Halligan stopped him just in time.
“Hey, no spinning the pregnant woman. She’s got a sensitive tummy right now,” Halligan cautioned. Loni’s smile at him taking care of her gave him that warm feeling in his chest.
“Congratulations,” Vivi said, throwing her arms around him, then reaching for Loni.
By the time everyone had congratulated them, he was ready to have everyone gone from the apartment, but Loni was glowing with all the praise and love his family—no,theirfamily—was giving her.
“While I’m really happy for both of you, we need to discuss the developments from overnight,” Schaefer said, hooking his computer up and displaying his screen on Halligan’s large-screen TV.
Halligan sat down, slipping his arm around Loni and tugging her close. Her hand reached to grab his, holding tight. He despised her brother for creating this fear that was overshadowing their joy about the baby.
“Last night, the Rossellini jet took off from Las Vegas and landed at Centennial Airport outside of Denver at 5 a.m. this morning. My contacts had Franco and his team being picked up by a group with four black Suburbans. He followed them to a nearby hotel where the men took rooms for one night. As of yet, they have not left, but the normal drive time from Denver to here is five and a half hours,” Schaefer paused, glancing around the room.
“Well, if it’s a group that large, I’d like more than one gun. Anybody know someone I can borrow one from?” Renae asked.
Whiskey chuckled. “Oh, I believe our friends Shield and Stinger brought the party favors.”
“Party favors?” Renae asked.
“We did. Ruthy came across some special favors she thought we might need. With the size of the group coming, I think her gifts might be useful,” Stinger said.
Brew stood up and walked over to Stinger. “Listen,Mr. I’m Gonna Die, I don’t talk in innuendos or code. What the friggin’ hell did Ruthy send?” Brew growled.
“Four grenade launchers and enough ammo to support taking down a small country with them. She also had us pack trip wires, explosive ordnance, and guns,” Stinger said.
“Oh, can I get one?” Renae asked.
“Sugar, with that body and that attitude, you can have as many guns as your little heart desires,” Stinger said.
“Oh, I think I like you,” Renae said, walking over and sitting down beside Stinger.
“Hold up! Let’s put a plan together. I’d prefer we don’t have to do another remodel of the bar,” Whiskey said.
