Page 108 of All In

“Hey, can I hold your baby?” Tanner asks.

“Are your hands clean?” Vale asks as I pull back, smiling at Ranger.

“I just got out of the shower, so probably,” Tanner says.

It makes me chuckle.

“I’ve held her many times. I feel confident I have at least a basic level of proficiency with handling a newborn.” Ranger nods, like he’s quite pleased to tell me that tidbit of information.

Annika’s face pops up at our side. She sniffs her brother, then moves to my hair, or I guess, maybe she’s trying to scent my neck. “Holy shit! The two of you bonded.” She moves until she can see my face. “Was that by choice or…”

Ranger moves his palm to her face and gives her a brotherly shove. “Of course it was consensual.”

Annika snorts, prying Ranger’s hand off her face. “I’m impressed. You work fast.”

I laugh.

It might be my newly formed bond with Ranger, but I’m much less annoyed by her than I was the last time we saw each other. It’s entirely possible his fondness for her is spilling into me. Or maybe it’s the distance I now feel from the kidnapping. Either way, we’re family now, and I intend to do my best to get along. Hopefully, we can even form our own friendship somewhere down the line.

“Thank you for sticking up for me,” I say. “I heard what you said when Tanner and I were coming in.”

“No worries.” She smiles brightly. “My brother has a big personality. It’s a relief to see you can hold your own.”

I nod. “He’s actually very sweet and attentive.”

Annika rolls her lips together, and it seems like she might be trying to hold back a laugh. “I’m trying so hard to be polite right now. I’ll just say, I’m glad you see a side the rest of us don’t.”

My brow furrows. I really am overly sensitive when it comes to protecting Ranger, but I can also realize they share a sibling bond, and that comes with casual teasing.

Instead, I smile. “I really do. He’s great.”

“You got so damn lucky,” Annika says to Ranger. “Seriously, she’s like a million times out of your league. Also, can we all just agree that your run as the next Mafia Matchmaker should be over at three? You don’t want to ruin your perfect streak.”

“That is true.” Ranger nods. “I enjoy being able to tout perfect statistics.”

Vale squeaks. “I swear there’s just something about a hot guy holding a baby that makes my ovaries weep. How about you, Annika? Are you ready to go home and tackle your alphas?”

“Um, yeah,” Annika agrees. “Damn, Beefcake with a baby, over here making all the women swoon.”

I spin around in Ranger’s hold, and Tanner has Aurora tucked in one giant forearm as he coos at her. She smiles a toothless grin and…

Yep, my ovaries are in real trouble.

Vale and Annika leave while Ranger corrals Tanner and me toward the door.

“We can’t leave without Locke.” I drag my feet as Ranger gently pushes me toward the exit to the kitchen. “Also, there’s something I told Tanner that I haven’t had the chance to mention to you, since you were gone from bed by the time I woke up.”

Ranger comes to a stop, leaning back a bit, like he’s physically trying to distance himself from my words. It makes the bottom of his long-sleeve T-shirt pull up, showing several inches of his flat lower stomach and abs.

I lick my lips like a total sex fiend and try to keep myself from pouncing.

“Don’t leave me in suspense,” he growls, swiping his veiny hand through his messy curls.

No other alpha could pull off the shaggy hairstyle and look even half as sexy.

“Wife,” he growls, and I swear my vagina stands up and waves.

“Husband,” I say, trying to keep myself focused. “There’s some mild controversy on who actually contributed DNA if I am pregnant.” My eyes snap to his as I try to feel him out in the bond.

---