Page 47 of Owen (Storm Enterprises)

He tilts his head to the garden. “Out back. A small ceremony, then anything you want.” He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses it.

“Anything?” I lift an eyebrow, and his lip quirks.

“Absolutely.” He nips at my ear, and I giggle, pleased at the change in atmosphere when he chuckles back at me.

Romeo takes this moment to let out a loud cry, which I know to be aMomma, I want my milkcry. Owen lifts me, lets me slide down his front, then pats my ass. “Go feed Romeo. When you’ve finished, check out the spare room. Be ready at 1:00 p.m.” He pats my ass in jest, and I roll my eyes, then bend and unstrap Romeo and head out of the kitchen.

“Love you, baby girl,” he shouts as I leave, and I can’t help but have a spring in my step as I head upstairs.

OWEN

“You’re sure about this? Tate is going to flip his fucking shit when he finds out.” Mase paces like the stress head he is, while Reed looks on in amusement.

“Is everything in there?” I nod toward the file Reed planted on my desk the moment they stepped into my office.

“Of course.” He replies with confidence in his tone, as expected.

Reed is professional to the highest of standards and thorough; another reason I chose to bring one of my best friends in on today. As a lawyer, I wanted him to oversee the legalities behind everything.

The backhanded payments for rushing Carlos's death certificate and Romeo's adoption papers made me anxious to ensure all the documentation was official.

“And you’re sure about this?” He eyes me with suspicion, and I balk. I’ve never been so sure about anything in my entire life.

I turn in my chair so he can see the sincerity bleeding from my eyes, from my heart. “I’ve never wanted anyone but her.” I swallow away the emotion clogging my throat. “It’s only ever been her.”

Something flashes in his eyes, understanding maybe? Then his firm nod lets me know I have my friend’s support when I need it the most, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

When I felt like I had nothing, I always had these guys. Tate will take some winning over, but Mase and Reed are a start. Shaw will understand too. I mean, the guy has had his suspicions for years; I just never had the balls to act on it.

“And how much does Laya know about Carlos, exactly?” Mase spins to face me, the worried expression on his face a telltale of his doubt about the whole situation, but I push his concerns aside and broaden my shoulders.

“She knows what I want her to know.”

Reed leans forward and drags a finger over his lip before speaking. “Which is?”

“Nothing. She hasn’t exactly fought me on the marriage.” I shrug.

“The girl has been infatuated with you for as long as I can remember. I get it,” Reed asserts.

Mase stops pacing, and his eyes drill into me. “She should know about him. He’s the baby’s dad.”

My spine straightens and anger bubbles inside me. “I’m his fucking dad,” I spit back, causing his eyes to widen as he reels back on his heels at the spite in my tone.

“You’re a better man than me.” Reed lazes back in his chair, unperturbed by the fury radiating from me. “I don’t want kids of my own, let alone someone else’s.”

I roll my eyes; my friend is so wrapped up in himself, he can never see the bigger picture. How creating your own family can create happiness. Blood doesn’t make you family, it only makes you related. Trust, support, and eternal love are what make you family, and Romeo already has all of that in me.

He has my everything, like his momma.

Mase surveys Reed and shakes his head. “You’ll change your mind if you meet the right person.”

Reed lets out a loud scoff. “Like fuck I will.” Then he scrunches his nose. “I don’t need people entering my space when they feel like it.” He shudders, and I chuckle at the seriousness in his words while he continues on. “And the germs. Jesus fucking Christ, the germs.” He grimaces.

Mase shakes his head with a glare in Reed’s direction while I watch on in amusement. “You have germs too, Reed. You think you’re perfect, but you’re not, dude. You’re gonna crash hard.”

“The only crashing Reed will do is the bed against the wall while he imagines fucking the woman that got away.” I laugh.

He scrubs a hand through his hair. “I’m still in shock. I mean, can you guys believe it? How can anyone want to leave me?” His gaze flicks from mine to Mase’s and back again, as if waiting for us to agree.

---