The space was surprisingly clean and well-organized. The only things that truly seemed to fit my expectations were the long bar built from reclaimed lumber, pool tables, and dart board. And they were all much cooler than what I’d pictured in my head.
The common room was a bit chaotic though…because of the three children happily playing together on the floor. Their moms were far from half-naked and very welcoming.
After Cage left with Nitro, I had sat next to Jana on the couch. There were two other women on the other sofa next to ours. Jana had introduced them as Kane’s old lady, Savannah, and Ashlynn was married to their road captain, Axle.
After saying hello, Savannah disappeared into the kitchen, then reappeared a few minutes later with a tray that held a mug of tea for each of us. The club president’s old lady teased Ashlynn, whose hand rested over her belly. “I would’ve done coffee, but you still can’t handle the smell.”
“I’m only two months in, and this pregnancy is already rougher than when we had Mylo.” She shook her head with a sigh. “Mason called the doctor the other day to yell at her over the nausea meds not working.”
“You’re going to have two kids under three, Axle needs to toughen up,” Savannah teased.
The change in names was more familiar to me now, making it easier to follow along and understand that Axle was Mason’s road name.
Ashlynn rolled her eyes. “Easy for you to say when you’re not pregnant.”
“Not for lack of trying on Kane’s part,” Savannah snorted. “Considering how often he ‘forgets’ to use a condom, I’m shocked I’m not already pregnant.”
Jana laughed with a nod. “Too true. I feel like I’ve barely been back behind the wheel, but Torin would happily knock me up tomorrow.”
“Which would give you two under two,” Ashlynn pointed out, tilting her head toward the kids. “At least Mylo turns two next week. Nella is only fourteen months.”
Savannah’s son looked up and lifted his hand in the air. “I two.”
“Yes, sweetie,” she agreed. “Your birthday was last month.”
Kylan nodded and went back to playing.
Savannah glanced at me with a knowing look. “You look like you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about here.”
Jana nudged me with her elbow and winked. “Except maybe getting pregnant too with how Cage looked at you.”
I felt the heat creep up my face, thinking about all the times he’d been inside me without any protection. “Um…”
Ashlynn clapped. “Yes, please. Callie, Lark, and Alanna had a blast being pregnant so close together.”
Savannah’s brows drew together. “And we weren’t?”
“Of course we were.” Ashlynn flung her arm around Savannah’s shoulders. “Which is why you should get pregnant again right now.”
Nella toddled over and held her arms out to me.
“Want to hold her?” Jana asked. “She’s in a cuddly mood today.”
Before I could overthink it, I lifted Nella onto my lap. She stared up at me with wide, trusting eyes, then grabbed a fistful of my shirt and babbled something that sounded suspiciously like approval. I laughed, surprised at how natural it felt, bouncing her gently while she patted my cheek with a tiny, sticky hand.
“Oh my gosh, she’s adorable,” I cooed, completely enchanted. “Hi, sweet girl.”
The three women laughed with me as Nella grabbed for my ponytail. For a few perfect minutes, I forgot about black-market secrets, my parents’ disapproval, and everything else.
I didn’t realize I was still smiling like a fool until I glanced up and caught sight of Thayer standing in the doorway.
He was watching me with an expression I’d never seen on his face before. It was almost reverent. Like the sight of me holding Nella, laughing freely in his world, had knocked something loose inside him.
My breath caught, and I felt something click into place deep in my soul.
This life could be mine, if I was brave enough to reach for it.
My cheeks heated under his stare, and I gently handed Nella to Jana, who gave me a knowing little smirk as I stood.
