Page 27 of Brutal Savage

Then, at the last minute, I manage to grab him and throw him over my shoulder, flipping him upside down.

He continues with his laughter. “Save me, Dad! He’s killing me!”

“You look alright to me.” Aiden grins. “I will say, though, you do toss way better than he ever did at your age.”

I snicker and drop Brody back on his feet. “Fine, but I did play better than your father.”

“Oh, yeah?” Aiden grabs the ball and runs back. “Let’s see how good you are now.”

“Daddy is not the best.” Brody giggles, and I can’t help my laugh.

“Guess what Brody just told me?” I holler at Aiden.

“What?”

“Hey!” Brody smacks my thigh.

“Fine, I won’t tell him.” I wink, grabbing Brody and placing him on my shoulders, my palms out for the ball Aiden’s about to throw. “He said you can toss the ball better than I can.”

“That’s my boy!” Aiden sends it flying, but it barely comes close to me.

The kid and I laugh, and I lift a hand to high-five him.

“I think we’re done for today.” Aiden grumbles playfully, coming toward us. “Buddy, go see if Mom’s done making lunch and help her bring it out for us.”

Brody nods, grinning as he starts back into the house while Aiden stares fondly as he runs inside.

“You ever thought about having kids?”

“Me?” I grimace. “Hell no.”

He laughs, reverting his attention to me. “Why not? You’re great with him.”

“Yeah, that’s because it’s Brody. I wouldn’t be good with my own kids. I know nothing about them.”

He shrugs. “Neither did I. You learn with them.”

“Nah.” I shake my head. “I like being the uncle. Or cousin. Whatever the hell you wanna call me.”

He hits me with a contemplative expression. “Look, I did wanna ask you something. Willow and I talked about this the other day.” Concern grows in his tone.

“What is it?” I stalk a step closer.

“We want to put you in the will as his guardian in case something happens to us.”

“Oh fuck, Aiden. Come on. Nothing is gonna happen to you guys.”

Yet we both know that in the kind of life we live, that isn’t true.

“I know Ryan won’t be able to handle a kid.” He laughs. “My brother isn’t cut out for it. But you are. You’ve got patience. You’re good with him.”

Brody and I have a bond. I love the kid, and he adores me.But actually being his parent? That thought never crossed my mind in a million fucking years.

“Promise me you’ll take care of him if something happens.” Aiden’s voice grows tight. “I need to know my boy will be okay without us.”

Pain clogs my throat. I hate thinking about this. Hate imagining Brody hurting without his parents here. How would I manage it? Am I even capable of that?

Except what choice is there? Aiden and Brody are my blood, and I’d do anything for family.

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