What were the approved or to be avoided foods? He’d need that list asap.

  Was exercise okay? And not of the sexual kind? He was also specific about those two differences.

  Vitamins? Supplements?

  How long will morning sickness last, and could the father also get it? Because he was feeling a little nauseous this morning.

  And so forth.

  All of that was before we even got to the routine exams and family health history part, all of which would be shared with our usual doctor, where I had another check-up scheduled the following week, just in case. Logan was also adamant he’d be going to that visit too, and every single exam or test or phone call that had to do with anything about the baby.

  After the visit, I hit his hand away from my stomach as we walked through the parking lot. “Okay. First trimester we don’t want people to know.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Stress. We’re supposed to be as normal as possible, and we can tell people in the second trimester.”

  He had a funny look on his face, his eyes still on my stomach. “You look hot. Like hotter than normal. It’s the kid. Holy. You’re one of those moms who look hotter when they’re pregnant.” He pointed at my face. “You even glow. Everyone’s going to know! Because of you.”

  I swatted his hand down, rolling my eyes. “Watch it, or my hormones are going to come out and kick your ass.”

  “My ass, huh?” His eyes lit up, starting to smolder, and the corner of his mouth lifted in a grin. A cocky grin. “I bet you’re going to be like a rabbit with sex. Some women are like that. They get pregnant and only want the dick.” He reached down, cupping himself. “Taylor.” He sounded so serious, but that half-grin was still there. “This is always at your beck and call. I need you to be reassured. You can ride me anytime you want. I’ll talk to my boss, make some amendments to my contract.”

  I laughed but grabbed his hand. This was typical Logan.

  A second later, he slid our fingers together, and there, right there, that touch alone settled everything. Not that I wasn’t settled, but it was an extra seal. Perfection.

  Then I remembered.

  “Oh no! We were in Cain, and I didn’t call my father!”

  27

  Mason

  We arrived. Sam was confused but was going with the flow because a trip to see Heather was always a good thing in her eyes. Maddie was glowering at everyone. The twins were nuts. I was convinced Sam fucked the Energizer Bunny on speed because that’s how nuts my kids were.

  I thought Maddie was a lot, but she’s a picnic compared to them. Nash brought home a goldfish two days ago. We don’t have goldfish. We don’t have any neighbors who have goldfish either.

  Where the fuck did the goldfish come from? We asked, and he just shrugged and ran off again.

  My kid.

  They’re both like that.

  But we arrived at Malinda’s house, and David greeted me at the door with a beer.

  I now loved Sam’s father because the dude understood. Or maybe it was me who understood.

  Three kids. Fucking nuts.

  “David!” Sam went in for the hug.

  She did the hug. I took the beer.

  I shook my head because that right there showcased us as a couple.

  “You look pissed?”

  Sam was heading inside, going to find Malinda. The twins ran after her. I had no idea where Maddie was. We’d been here ten seconds, and she was already gone.

  David added, “I mean, pissier than normal.”

  I raked him over, taking a long drag. “You look like you should be pissier than normal.” I narrowed my eyes. “Bet you’d be pissy if I told you we brought Analise with us.”

  He paled.

  I was wrong.

  He didn’t get pissier. On the contrary, he looked ready to crap his pants.

  And I was a dick.

  “I’m sorry. We didn’t. That was uncalled for. I like you, and I don’t know why I was just a dick to you.” But I did know because we traveled non-stop, going commercial, and Sam was happy the entire time. She always got like this coming here.

  Logan was here.

  Nate was in Seattle.

  My fucking father. I’d had time off. When I started playing in the NFL, everything changed.

  All my old bullshit stopped. It had to, and Logan handled a lot of the drama that popped up for us regarding our family. He’d been almost on-call when Nate’s stuff was going on. There was shit with Matteo that went down, and Logan went to help him with that.

  Taylor called me, telling me what she told me. She was right to do that. Logan needed time with his family. That was precious and a very new time for them.

  It was my turn to handle this.

  Goddamn James Kade and whatever stupid shit he got himself into.

  I hated my dad. I thought it’d gotten better, but it hadn’t. I’d just been out of the game. Logan had been shielding me, but now here we were. Another drama because of James.

  I growled, “You think shit changes, but it doesn’t. Nothing fucking changes.”

  Maddie appeared, like magic, and had been walking past me into the house. She froze, her eyes big and turning to me. “Dad!”

  Shit.

  I clenched my jaw. “Sorry, kiddo.”

  She continued staring at me. Hard.

  I growled but dug into my pocket and gave her a five-dollar bill. “Don’t tell your mom.”

  She plucked it out of my hands and gave me a bright smile. Then, tipping up on her toes, she kissed me on my cheek. “Thanks, Pops.” She turned, hugging David. “Heya, Grandpa!”

  David’s look was rueful when she ran inside. “You should just give her your entire wallet. I remember how you boys used to curse, and you haven’t even seen your father today yet.”

  I didn’t need the reminder because I wanted to let loose with all the swearing once again.

  David helped me unload the rest of the vehicle, and when we got inside, he gave me a nod to follow him.

  I followed, going into his office.

  He went to the liquor cabinet, pouring a bourbon for both of us. “So. What’s the plan?”

  “I got briefed a little. Mark’s woman is saying Tate’s whole thing is a scam?”

  His head got hard, and his chin moved up and down, real slow. “Those boys are both born and here. Four and six.”

  I cursed. Again.

  Then glanced around to make sure Maddie couldn’t hear.

  The office door was closed, but that wouldn’t deter her. If she thought this was a moneymaking trip, she’d have microphones placed in vents by now.

  “You’ve seen them?”

  His face was still hard as it moved left to right. “She’s got ‘em locked down, wherever they are. Malinda’s been putting out the feelers around town. No one’s seen ’em.”

  Which boded for the scam theory.

  I tipped my head back, drinking the entire glass in one go.

  Fuck.

  Shit.

  That stuff burned, but I needed it.

  “Do I need to worry about Logan?” His eyes shifted to the door, which was still closed. “Can’t help but notice his absence when I know he’s in town. You two good?”

  I threw him a frown, not expecting that one. “Yeah. He’s got stuff going on right now, but I don’t think he’ll miss this. He just needs some time for a bit.”

  There was a brief knock before Sam stuck her head inside.

  She smiled brightly at her dad. “Hey, Dad!” Her eyes were brimming. She was sparkling. She was so alive being here. Her gaze swung to me. “We’re staying here for Christmas. I made the decision.”

  “I have a football game.”

  “You’ll have to fly back for that. We’re staying. Heather and I decided. You can take the red-eye back or book a charter, and we’ll do an entire party this year. We’re going to make Logan propose to Taylor in front of us because no way is he getting out of that tradition.”

  I grunted. I knew that was coming.

  “Can you email the travel agent? I’ll charter a private plane, there and back.”

  “Okey-dokey.” She came in, coming to kiss me before hugging her dad. She called over her shoulder, “You better not be planning Tate’s take-down without us. I’m just saying.”

  David laughed, finishing his drink and taking my glass. “On that note, Nate is over at the old house.”

  Time to get this shit handled.

  28

  Group Text

  Mason to everyone: Heading to the Mausoleum. I got a file from Nate’s PI on Tate.

  Nate: About time. Get your ass over here.

  Channing: James is rounded up. We went nice, at first. Where do you want the Pops?

  Heather: Dump him in the ocean!

  Samantha: I concur. Put him in his car and take out the brakes.

  Heather: I concur right back!

  Quincey: I feel like I’m supposed to be making a threat, but that’s culture clash for me. Nova is all about loving everything. She’d be upset if that car hit an animal.

  Samantha: A giant pool it is. Knock him out before he goes in.

  Channing: Jesus, women.

  Samantha: Five dollars! You owe me to give to Maddie because she just saw that last text come through.

  Heather: Malinda is watching all the kids. I’m bringing drinks. FYI for everyone.

  Mason: Channing, bring him here. Who’s got Tate?

  Nate: I outsourced. Blaise has a friend who knows where Tate is.

  Mason: You didn’t…

  Nate: Not sorry. I did. He comes in useful sometimes.

  Mason: Do not let that stalker know I’m here, but we need to talk with James first, then her.

  Nate: He’s harmless.

  Mason: He didn’t grow up with your picture in his locker.

  Matteo: Wtf have I missed?

  29

  Taylor

  We were back in Logan’s room, and I read through the group text. Logan and I were both included, but looking over, I didn’t think Logan had even turned his phone on after our prenatal visit.

  He came back from the bathroom, drying his hair from the shower, padding naked to his closet.

  He skimmed a look over me before disappearing inside. “You okay?”

  I had to make a decision.

  I blacked my screen, putting my phone away.

  “Mason is downstairs.”

  He came back, boxers in hand and his eyebrows up. “Say what?”

  “I called Mason that day when you wanted time off. That’s what I did to get it handled. I called him.” My hands went to my stomach. “I told him about the baby.”

  “What?”

  “I asked him not to say anything to anyone. I needed him to come in and head everyone off. So that’s what he did. You walked out of a room. They’re downstairs now, talking about a fight coming. I asked you to trust me. I told you I might need to tell someone about the baby.”

  “I didn’t think you meant Mason.”

  I got quiet. “I’m sorry. I took that from you.”

  He closed his eyes, shaking his head as he went to the bed and reached for his phone. He turned his on but said as he waited, “You were right to do that. Mason is the only one who could hold everyone off. I, just, that’s my brother. It’s been him and me before anyone else came along.”

  He was right. He was so right.

  I had fucked up.

  “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

  His eyes cleared, and he blinked suddenly, as if seeing me for the first time, and reached for me. “Hey. Hey. It’s okay. I get it. I do.” He motioned to me. “Come here.”

  I didn’t, so he stood, grabbed my hand, and yanked me over to him as he sat back down. I landed on his lap, and he wrapped an arm around my waist, anchoring me in place. His phone started going off from the texts, but he tossed it behind him on the bed and only focused on me.

  I closed my eyes, because man, I had seriously messed up. That was his brother. “Logan,” I whispered. My hand formed a fist and pressed into his shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Taylor.” He sighed, brushing some of my hair behind my ear, and he leaned back to see me better. “Look at me.”

  I did. Tears flooded my eyes.

  He shifted his arms, moving me even closer to him on his lap. I was sitting sideways, but my ass was right over his dick, and I could feel it rising, pressing up against my pants. “Babe. I needed time to be with just you and our baby. It was a lot to process. All Mason got was a sneak peek. That’s it. And trust me, it’s killing him that he can’t tell anyone. Knowing my brother as I do, he wouldn’t tell Sam even, and that’s really burning in him.” He laughed, pressing his mouth to the back of my shoulder. “He’s gotta keep the secret until the second trimester too. After that, I might be okay with how this worked out. He’s like my shield. If I gotta check out, do pre-dad stuff, I can send everyone his way, and he’s gotta handle it. I kinda love it.”

  His hand moved, spreading out over my stomach.

  He whispered, pressing another softer kiss there, “Also, by the way, if you haven’t gotten the memo yet, I’ve never been happier than now.”

  I shifted, turning my face so we were an inch away. “Yeah?”

  He nodded, so solemn. “Yeah.” He moved in, his mouth finding mine and opening over mine.

  We kissed and made out like we were teenagers until Logan moved, almost tossing me on the bed, and started to crawl over me—that’s when we heard the yelling.

  30

  Mason

  “What is the meaning of this?” That was James’ exclamation once he was brought inside.

  We’d been ready, having had our meeting, and all of us were standing in the kitchen when I gave Channing the go-ahead to bring in the package. So he did, leading the way with my father being pushed behind him by Congo, one of Channing’s guys.

  A surprise happened when we saw that behind Congo was Channing’s younger sister.

  Over the years, we’d seen Channing’s sister on and off.

  I’d always felt some similarities with her and Samantha, but Bren was a different sort of animal. She was like a beautiful female wolf in human form. There’d been a feral feeling to her. Approach with caution. I felt it the first time I met her, and it was still there, though I knew through Channing that she was happy, married, and had a couple of children. I knew her husband, too, another member in her childhood ‘crew’ that was still tight to this day. Our group was close, but their group had a different sort of tight like they were half of each other. According to Channing, it never lessened. Where one moved, all moved.

  I was guessing from seeing the slight reservation on Channing’s face, in the way he tracked his sister’s movements, that he still didn’t know how his sister would react to being around us. She’d always had this mysterious but stay-the-fuck-away-from-me-or-I’ll-slice-you vibe when she was around us.

  I took one look, and yep, still there.

  “Bren!” Heather squealed, heading over. She had her arms out, ready to pull her sister-in-law to her chest, but Bren held up a baton. Heather skidded to a stop.

  “I have weapons on me. Hug gentle.”

  Heather was fighting a grin but nodded and stepped in, slowly wrapping her arms around the younger woman.

  The guy behind Bren snorted and started laughing. “Only you, Bren. No one puts the smackdown on Heather. The woman’s a legend.”

  Heather laughed, reaching out and flicking the guy’s shoulder. “Hi, Zellman.”

  He sobered, fondness softening his face. “For the record, you never have to give me a gentle hug. Ever. And definitely not from you.”

  Channing took a step forward so he could see and glared. “Mine.” He stepped up, looped a hand around the back of Heather’s pants, and began pulling her backward. He repeated over her head, “Mine.”

  Zellman rolled his eyes. “So overbearing. It’s not a good alpha look.”

  Bren closed her eyes, slightly shaking her head. But there was a faint grin on her face as she glanced to her friend, who threw his arm around her shoulder, moving to stand behind her. She settled back against him.

  “Excuse me?” James started forward. “I said what is the meaning of all this?” He took another step, but a hand came down on his shoulder, and he was jerked back into place. He tried glaring at Congo, whose hand was like a cement block on his shoulder, but Congo was impervious. The dude was like a literal human-shaped brick, bald head. And the thing was that he wasn’t even the biggest in Channing’s crew. He had another humongous human named Moose, who was given the name for a reason.

  “Stay.” One word from Congo.

  James looked ready to kill if he could.

  That’s when I stepped forward because it was time to get this going.

  Everyone quieted, knowing the real show was about to start.

  James sensed the shift in the room and turned, looking and finding me. “Son.”

  I opened my mouth, ready to start this thing, when a stampede of feet came from above us.

  Down the stairs.

  A whole different shift came over the room, a more alert, more viral, more frenzied air, and I knew who’d joined the fight.

  I closed my mouth and held over the file from the PI.

  Logan breezed past me, grabbed it, and went right to stop in front of our father.

  He grinned. “Hey, Dad. Nice to see you again. It’s been a few days.”

  I couldn’t hold back a grin because that was my brother. He had processed his shit, and now he was back. He was ready to fuck shit up.

  “First off, welcome to the Getting Fucked Over by Tate Club because you, my father, are totally and moronically getting fucked over by her.”

  31

  Taylor

  I followed him after he read through everything, saw what was going on.

  The fight came back to him. He needed it. His energy was like an electrical outlet, surging and snapping and ready to strike out, needing to strikeout.