Page 27 of Rolling with the Single Daddies

“Yes, her name is Belova.” Avery’s leg bounces, and I put a hand on her knee to help calm her through the admission. “She distanced herself from her family a while back, but I was pregnant with his baby before I met her. I didn’t even realize who she was for a while. I promise neither of us want anything to do with him.”

“And if I hadn’t been such a chicken-shit and overreacted, you could have told me that.” Bane’s voice is flat, his arms hang limply at his sides, and he stares at the carpet.

“Hey, man,” I interject. “You were protecting Evie. We understand.”

“I shouldn’t have run. I shouldn’t have told you to leave without letting you—” He sits taller, lifts his gaze, and waits for Avery to meet it. His next words come out softer. “I shouldn’t have hurt you, Avery.”

Evie crawls into his lap and his arms seem to instinctively wrap around her.

Avery takes a deep breath. “I should have told you sooner. I tried to hide Bella from him, but he found out and started insisting on being in her life. Then I met the two of you and I was just… scared.”

“Scared of what?” Bane asks, his voice gruff but not unkind.

Avery hesitates, so I tighten my arm to remind her I’m there for her. “We have to open with each other. No judgments. No holdingback.”

Avery takes a shaky breath. “I was scared of losing this. Losing the two of you, and Evie. You’re the family I’ve dreamed of.” Her voice catches and tears well in her eyes. “I had one last idea to convince him that he doesn’t want a kid in his life, that’s why I met with him. It didn’t work.”

Bane’s expression softens, and I can see the walls he’s been patching up are starting to crumble. “I wish you would have told us.”

“I was going to, but when you told me about your wife, it seemed like too much.”

I nod. “You’re both right. It’s a fucked scenario, but now that we’re talking, let’s see what we can come up with.”

“He has the right to see his daughter, whether I like it or not.” Avery’s voice is shaky. “What if I have to let him into Bella’s life?”

Bane zones out for a minute, no doubt going over the complexity of the situation.

I reassure her, “I’m here for you, Avery. We’ll get the best lawyers, do whatever it takes to keep you and Bella safe. Bane has more to consider with Evie.”

Bane’s shoulders relax a fraction of an inch. “I’m in. I’ll help protect you and Bella.” His voice is thick with emotion. “I would suggest we just get rid of him, but as Renee died in my arms, she made me promise to end the violence. We’ll find another way.”

I asked for the two of them to be open and I got it. Avery’s definitely gotten to Bane. I’ve known him for decades, but I’venever seen him this raw and vulnerable, even using his late wife’s name.

Avery adds, “I would never ask you to break a promise.”

My affection for them fuels me with courage. This thing between us, it’s not just about attraction or convenience. It’s deeper, stronger than I ever imagined.

Bane gives her a soft smile. “I’ll never break a promise to you, either. I said you’re mine and I meant it.”

Diego tries to refocus us. “Before we tackle this Roman situation, let me jump in and make one thing clear.”

“Now isn’t the time to chase new ideas, Diego.”

“It’s not a new idea. It’s something I’ve been wanting, needing, to do.”

“Right, when do you ever have an idea you don’t pursue immediately?”

“Only since meeting Avery.” I smile, ready to make the biggest, boldest jump of my entire life. Dropping to one knee in front of Avery, I watch her eyes widen and dart to Bane.

“He won’t be any help, Mama Bear, I haven’t discussed it with him yet.” I laugh at myself and Bane joins in, taking in a knee beside me, Evie in his arms.

“I like the nickname, but dang it, Diego, do you ever think anything through first?”

I smirk. “Actually, sometimes I do. But this exact moment, no. Since you’re on one knee too, I’m certain I made the right call.” I take Avery’s hand. “What I have spent way toomuch time thinking about is that, if I’d done this sooner, the two of you would accuse me of—”

Avery laughs nervously. “Diego, stop! Overthinking things doesn’t suit you.”

I shake my head, loving every second of how this is playing out. “You two are a tough crowd. I would say, I can’t win no matter what I do, but I feel like I’ve won the most important thing ever. Avery, I love you. Will you marry us?”

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