Moses’s arm wraps around my body, anchoring me against him like he doesn’t want to give me the opportunity to step away. I’m okay with that, especially because I have no plans to retreat. I don’t need space. Not from him. Not anymore.
“Nothing yet, but he’s got eyes all over the city watching.”
“We will find him,” I say with conviction. “He’s going to pay for what he’s done.”
Moses leans down to press a kiss to the top of my head. “Damn right. But until then, Trey won’t stop digging, and I’m just ...” He trails off, and it hits me that he’s probably as unfamiliar with inactivity as I am.
I fill in the silence. “We’re babysitting Rory tonight.”
Moses jerks back and peers down at me. “Babysitting? Can’t say that’s something I’ve ever done before.”
“I suppose it’s about time we both learn.” A sense of peace comes over me when I add, “Together.”
Twenty-Six
Moses
“Anything happens to her while you’re in charge, and I. Kill. You. No questions.” Mount’s tone is even, but he means every word he says, based on the way he stares at the little auburn-haired girl clinging to her mama’s neck.
“I get it. She’s your world,” I say. Honestly, someone would have to go through me and Magnolia to get to Rory tonight anyway.
Mount’s dark gaze lifts to spear mine. “Youdon’tget it. Until you’ve held your own child, you won’t.”
He’s right, so I don’t argue.
“Nothing will happen to her. You have my word.”
Mount’s jaw is stiff as he gauges me, but finally he nods. “We’ll be back in three hours. V will be posted outside the door of whatever room you’re in at all times.”
It’s gotta be rough leaving his whole world in the care of someone like me, so I don’t press him. “Got it.”
“Are you done trying to scare the hell out of the people who are doing us a favor?” Mount’s wife asks as she comes toward him.
The man’s entire posture relaxes as soon as Keira slides an arm around him, and he plucks the baby from her hold.
I hope like hell no one else ever sees the vulnerability I do right now, because they’d know that the king of New Orleans’ criminal underworld could be toppled by striking at his daughter or his wife. He’d go mad without them.
“I’m just expressing to Moses how things stand.”
“We’ll be home in a few hours. Everything will be fine.” Keira looks to me. “Thank you so much, Moses. We’re incredibly grateful, and if Lachlan has made any death threats, you can just ignore them.”
Mount’s gaze swings toward his wife, rife with protest.
“Don’t glower at me. I know you. Remember?”
His chin lifts, and Mount meets my eyes once more as Magnolia takes her place beside me.
Rory snuggles into her father’s collar as he presses kisses into her messy hair like he’s eating her ear off. I don’t use the word often, but I’d dare to call it cute.
“Time to play with Auntie Mags for a little while, sweetheart,” Mount says as the tiny girl pulls her face away from his body and holds her willing, waving arms out to Magnolia.
“That’s right, princess. Let’s go play with your blocks.” My woman’s voice is soft and bouncy as she speaks to the toddler, and then adds to her parents, “All nineteen million of them.”
They immediately look guilty, but unashamed at the same time.
As soon as Magnolia has the little girl in her arms, an image hits me. It’s one of our kid and how fucking sweet our life will soon be, because neither of us are wasting any more time. We missed out on fifteen years together, and we’re not squandering another damn day.
I reach out to shake Mount’s hand. “Have a good night.” I glance at Keira. “We’ve got this covered.”