My throat tightens, and Ana and I share a look. We’ve talked openly and freely this past year. All business. No emotion, but the way our eyes lock now is different. There was never any love between us. It was all about living free and seeking the next thrill. Until it got darker. Yet, we’re bonded by the love we have for our son.
And Darragh and Sophie.
My eyes settle on Scarlett holding J.P. Fuck, I really do love this woman. That makes me want to change this entire plan and kill Pierce Langston myself. With my bare hands. But the same caution applies.
He can’t turn up dead.
Ana moves to Scarlett and J.P. “He likes you. I’m happy for you and Cormac.”
Scarlett looks down at my son. “He’s the most perfect little human.” She kisses his forehead, then reluctantly starts to pass him back to Ana.
I step forward, arms out. “I’ve got him.”
Scarlett hands me J.P., her fingertips brushing mine. “I’ll fix this,” she whispers.
With my son between us, I kiss my wife while a little fist tugs on my shirt. My son looks up at me like I’m perfect, too. Something inside me buckles.
Ana is already brimming with lethal grace. “We need to take care of this. I want to spend the rest of the day withmy family.”
Darragh is there to take J.P., but I shake my head. I’m not ready to let him go. Darragh smiles and backs away.
With his wife on her way to do her scary mafia stuff, he’s here as the anchor. Mr. Mom to Sophie and James Patrick.
I see how Ana treats Sophie as her daughter, and that makes my heart happy. Her mother failed her, but my niece has an amazing replacement.
Scarlett gives me a kiss before she and Ana leave together, my wife eyeing me over her shoulder. She smiles and wiggles her hips, like she’s excited to go on a Bratva intimidation run.
From the window, I watch as they get into one of the brand-new armored Escalades. Ana bought a new fleet and retired her father’s sad, broken-down Town Cars.
The heavy Tudor door shuts with a final thud.
I stand, holding my son in the silence that crashes over me after all the excitement of the pending broken bones of Pierce Langston.
Darragh turns to me. “Wanna come to Lachlan and Katya’s?”
I shake my head. “I don’t get time alone with him. I was told to bring Scarlett to Christmas Eve this year.” I clear my throat. “Or should I bring her to meet Kieran first?”
Darragh smiles. “We’ll all go to Divona on Christmas Eve. Together. It wasn’t the same last year without you there.”
I shrug. “That’s what incarceration is. Punishment.”
“Eoghan introduced Jillian to everyone last year. She handled it well. Your Scarlett will do just fine.”
“If she can handle a Bratva shakedown, Irish brats drunk on Baileys Irish Cream should be no problem for her.”
“I look forward to it.” Darragh shoves hands in his pockets. “Then we can come back here, and you and your wife can stay over. Do Christmas morning with us.”
With all our ups and downs over Ana and the baby, here we are. Bonded like never before. But…
“I want more.”
He stands there, smiling. “You want to talk about custody?”
“Yes.” I inhale, steady. “I know you planned to be his father. The good one. The respectable one.” My voice cracks. “But that was then.”
Darragh leans forward with an encouraging smile. “And this is now.”
“I want to be in his life,” I say. “Not sometimes. Not when it’s convenient. I want a regular schedule of visitations.”