He laughed and kissed my cheek. “Enough to last a lifetime.”
And with him and our friends here, I knew I was going to be okay.
After the service, my father was interned in the cemetery next to my brother. As my mother sat in the front row with Uncle Pete, my brothers, and my husband stood shoulder to shoulder with me. Dare, GQ, and Phantom were to my left, and my Commander to the right. Four white uniforms of men who were bonded together through the good and the bad. And one white uniform meant to be by my side for the rest of our lives.
My heart was heavy with my father's words close to my heart. Immediately after my uncle had handed the letter to me, I’d stepped into the restroom and placed it in the inside pocket of my jacket. When I came out, I was momentarily at peace, like he'd bestowed a sense of calm over me. And every once in a while, when the emotions snuck up on me, I could smell him. I’d like to think he was with me.
We stayed behind after my mother had already left the cemetery. Uncle Pete had taken her home, but returned before we left.
When he got out of the car, I watched him walk across the cemetery lawn. By the look on his face, I knew it wasn’tsomething bad. I’d had enough of that. And when we got back to Portland, I’d have to deal with the mess of Calvin Turner. Aidan assured me the police had enough evidence against Turner to put him away.
“Brent, I wanted to say goodbye before you left, and to bring you these.”
He handed me the bag he’d been carrying. “What’s this?”
“Winston’s favorite chew toys.”
My heart pounded as my fucking eyes started to fill again. “I don’t understand.”
He chuckled. “Your husband came to me about taking Winston home with you, but he didn’t need to ask. Your dad wanted you to have him. It’s all in the letter.”
I grabbed my uncle and hugged him as more tears slipped down my face. He held me just like my father used to and I couldn’t stop crying. Of course, John was ready with the tissues.
“Your aunt and I love you, Brent. If you ever need anything, I’m here for you. All you have to do is call.”
I nodded and wiped away the tears. “I will. I promise.”
He smiled and hugged John, emotion thick in this throat. “Take care of him, Commander. And keep in touch.”
John nodded. “We will, sir. Thank you again.”
I watched my uncle walk across the lawn and get in his car. John wrapped his arm around my back. “You’re a doggie daddy now, sweetheart.”
I chuckled. "I think you meanwe'redoggy daddies now. Winston has two parents. Not just one."
A big hand landed on my shoulder. “You’re going to love the family vet. Callum’s great,” Jackson said.
“Family vet?” I asked.
“Yeah, Callum is our vet, and Simon is the family doctor,” Aidan added. “And I’m everyone’s attorney. Coop is the therapist, and Declan is the horse trainer. Christian is the go-tofor all the school questions for the kids. Greer is the one to call when you need to get somewhere fast. Cole and Adam provide the music to this chaos we call life.”
I was confused. “I'm just a bodyguard. I’m not part of the Pirate family.”
“The fuck you aren't," GQ added. "You and Dare are the real protectors. Phantom is the brains and me and Patrick are the beauty. Commander is part of this too. Doubly so since you two got married. There’s no getting out of it. Simon has already treated you. So it’s like an unbreakable connection to everyone.”
Everyone went quiet.
“Wait. They’re married?” Simon asked Jesse.
“Oh hell,” Dominick added. “You guys didn’t know?”
Marcus laughed. “Well, I did. Perks of sleeping with the boss. But we’re gonna need that story, Dreamy.”
“Oh my,” Greer said, a blush creeping up his face.
“You always need the story, don’t you?” Aidan asked his husband.
Marcus kissed his cheek. “I’m a romantic like that.”
