My eyebrows pull together. I barely know Layla, but I can’t spot anything that could trigger worry. She’s beautiful, looks healthy, and that smile is definitely genuine.
“Don’t tell me you’re on another cleansing diet,” Carter says, his gaze zeroing in on her glass of lemon water. “You made yourself sick last time.”
Layla’s lips twitch, eyes darting to Dante before she sets the glass down and soothes the skirt of her dress. “No, I’m not making that mistake again.”
“Then what is it?” Broadway leans forward from the couch arm he’s claimed. “Last time I saw you, you outdrank Ryder and tried to teach me how to salsa.”
“That was one time!” Layla chuckles, her cheeks growing pink. “I had one drink too many, okay? And Ididteach you.”
“You sure tried,” Ryder agrees, laughing. “I think he could use a refresher.”
Everyone joins in the laughter. Except Carter. He studies her intently, and the warmth in his expression makes my chest ache.
Koby’s right. There’s nothing romantic in how he watches her. It’s the reverent protectiveness of an older brother who’d kill for his sister.
Layla exhales, breaking into a soft smile. “Fine. I wasn’t going to say anything yet, but since Carter’s giving me that look...” She links her fingers with Dante’s. “I’m pregnant.”
The room shifts into stunned silence before exploding into a string of congratulations, hugs, and cheers. Hailey throws her arms around Layla, and Broadway spills half his drink as he wraps Dante in a bear hug.
“I didn’t think I’d live to see the day,” Ryder says, stepping in to clap Dante on the shoulder. “You sure took your sweet time, Boss. Congratulations.”
“You’ll fucking love it when the kid starts kicking,” Broadway adds, eyes on Violet as she hugs Layla.
I’m next, even though I don’t really know the happy couple. Carter’s the last to move. He waits until everyone’s done hijacking Layla before he rises from his chair and pulls her into his arms. He presses a kiss to the top of her head and his jaw tightens, eyes closing for a beat like he’s swallowing down something sharp.
“Congratulations, sweetheart. I’m here if you need anything.”
Layla blinks fast, biting her lip, but a happy tear rolls down her cheek anyway. “Thank you.”
The laughter lingers for a while, stretching into little conversations. Hailey’s asking Layla if she’s hoping for a boy or agirl, Ryder jokes about Dante updating his security systems, and Violet’s resting both hands on her own belly, grinning like she’s thankful someone else joined her club.
I let the noise wash over me, wondering if I’ll ever feel a part of this weird family, or forever stay the outsider.
“Alright,” Dante says about half an hour later. “Let’s begin.”
All the men rise, kissing their girls before following Dante down a dimly lit hallway.
“We shouldn’t be long,” Koby tells me, kissing my forehead. “Will you be okay?”
“Why wouldn’t she be?” Hailey pipes in, arms crossed over her chest. “We’ve got her, Koby. Go.”
With a tight smile and a nod, he leaves.
As soon as he rounds the corner, two bodyguards stride into the living room, taking up positions on each side, eyes following Layla as she refills Hailey’s glass.
“And I thought Broadway was overprotective.” Violet chuckles. “Looks like Dante takes it to a whole other level.”
Layla groans, nodding along. “He’s never been rational, per se, but since he found out he’s going to be a dad, it’s been ten times worse.”
The girls laugh.
I try to laugh too, but my mind won’t quit spiraling. Relaxing is a foreign concept without Koby around. I’m not sure when he became my safe place, but he is, and without him, without the comfort of his presence, I can’t stop thinking about Anton, Octavius, and what happens next.
29
Koby
Even without tests, I know there’s something fundamentally wrong with my brain. There’s no way this impulsive, obsessive, downright pathological need to be with Leilani and see with my own two eyes that she’s okay is normal.
