“From the way you two were walking in here. From the way she was when we were all cleaning up her studio. She’s good for you just as much as you’re good for her. Still getting to know her, but all of us can see it. She searches you out in the crowd just as I’m sure you’re aware of her very location at all times, even now.” He smirks.
He was right about that. I could see her off to the side at a picnic table with the ol’ ladies laughing at something Alanna had just said to her.
“It’s how you know they’re it for you,” Cy states, clasping a hand on my shoulder. “That protective instinct goes into overdrive for them.”
Ain’t that the damn truth.
“It’s gonna work out, brother.” Bruiser chuckles. “Now, I’ve gotta get to manning the grill before we have a riot on our hands. We have too many pregnant women around here. Gwen hasn’thad anything since breakfast and will start to get angry if she doesn’t get a burger in her soon.”
“Wait, Gwen’s pregnant?” Rogue asks, slapping at Bruiser’s head. “You didn’t tell us?”
“She wanted it to be a secret for the time being, but she’s just hit the five-month mark and has finally started to show. Our little girl is gonna be here before we know it,” he states, grinning like a loon.
“Fuckin’ hell, another damn girl around here.” Malice chuckles, head tilted downward, hands on his hips. “Willow wants another girl. Mostly because Gemini claims she’s outnumbered. Three’s enough.”
Conversation flows around me, but I’m stuck on wondering if our baby will be a boy or a girl. At least we don’t have to worry about us having more than one right now. Malice and Willow have their hands full. Hell, when they were first born, I remember how hard it’d been on them at the time. Didn’t help that someone tried to kill his baby girl. After that, he rarely let her out of his sight.
The thought of Katrina carrying a little girl made me wish for one. One that looked like her with her eyes and cute nose. Regardless, as long as the baby was healthy and whole, I didn’t care. If we get a boy this time, I’ll have to talk her into trying again for a girl. One of each would be good with me.
Katrina’s laughter draws me from my thoughts, and I glance in her direction, taking her in. The smile on her face is like a fist to my gut. She’s beautiful. Radiant even. I never want to miss hearing her laugh like that, especially with the way her eyes squint slightly and her head thrown back.
I don’t want to have to mess up her day by telling her that we’ve got company coming, but it’s something I’m going to have to do before they get here. No way will I let her be blindsided by it.
Leaving my brothers, I make my way to the woman and curl a hand behind her neck. “Gotta second?”
Katrina smiles up at me. “Yeah, they were just filling me in on some of the antics that have happened around here. Though it’s nothing compared to what CJ said happens up at your Franklin or Tennessee clubs.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning or maybe cursing. Chelsea, who just so happens to be Katrina’s cousin, was something else and typically behind those antics at the Tennessee club. Horse’s and Twister’s daughters seemed to learn early on and are constantly causing antics with the other girls. It’s hilarious, and I’m glad it’s nothing like that here. I think my brothers and I would all be ready to pull our hair out. The main one we have to worry about is Rogue’s ol’ lady, Rebel. She’s vicious and doesn’t mind doing things on her own. Mostly, it’s that she’s got no problem doing meets with bad people and not telling her man about it. The last time she did it, she took Calder, Grant DeVore’s right-hand man, with her and Alanna instead of filling any of us in on the meeting.
“Thankfully, the women here are level-headed,” I manage to grunt.Sitting down behind her, I cradle her between my thighs and hold her close.
“What’s up?” she asks, snuggling closer.
“Hammer just filling me on something, and I want to give you a heads up. Your brother and dad are going to be showing soon.”
“What?” she whispers, tensing in my arms.
“Don’t know if they’ll be alone or if more of them are coming. They were in Tennessee visiting your cousin, Chelsea. If you want to get out of here, we’ll go, but you’re gonna have to meet them eventually.”
“Dagger’s right,” Avery murmurs from across the table. “You don’t have to stay. It’s crappy they didn’t give more notice, butit’s going to happen eventually. Might as well do it where you have family around you, looking out for you.”
My heart swells with pride that these women have already taken Katrina into their fold, claiming her as one of their own.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Katrina
It’s all gonna be okay.
It’s gonna be just fine.
There’s nothing to worry about.
Who am I kidding? This is going to be a disaster.
I’m, meeting my dad and brother for the first time. I mean, what exactly am I supposed to say? Hi, I’m your long-lost daughter and sister. I’m sorry my mom kept me from you. Or better yet, how could you not look for me? Know about me? Did you really know and denied it?
God, all the questions swarm in my head at once.
