Page 138 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

It’s pathetic of me to hide like this, I know. Nina told me that none of the family has stepped forward in any way to try to claim rights to Sammy, but I still find myself scared to death that someone is going to take him from me.

I have no problem with Danielle’s family wanting to know him and be involved in his life. They are his family, after all. But until he’s 100 percent mine by law, it makes me uncomfortable.

I’m probably overthinking things, but I can’t help it.

And being here makes me uncomfortable in other ways too.

Like a semi at full speed, it hit me, in the middle of the funeral. Where would Sammy go if something happened to me? He’s not Rosie’s, not by blood, but I still think she’d take care of him. Maybe one of my brothers would help her.

Immediately I picture Cash moving in to help her and how, from there, they’d fall in love.

Get married.

Have a kid of their own.

And now I want to throw up.

I haven’t spoken to my brother in months. If he knows about Sammy, then it’s because my dad or one of my brothers told him. While my dad and Roman were visiting, they forced me to tell Asher and Hudson, but I refused when it came to Cash.

It probably makes me territorial as fuck, but I don’t like that he wants Rosie.

She’s mine.

The bathroom door opens, effectively cutting off my train of thought, and Rosie appears, head tilted to the side, appraising me.

“Why does it look like you’re freaking out?”

I clear my throat and cup the back of Sammy’s head. “Because I am.”

No sense in denying it when it’s blatantly obvious.

“About what?”

We head back into the large room, where mourners stand in circles talking to each other. This looks like it’s as good a time as any to sneak away.

I came. I’ve done my part.

So I steer Rosie toward the exit, and she doesn’t protest.

“You didn’t answer the question,” she accuses when we reach the car.

I push the button on my key fob, and while the door slides open, I work Sammy out of the carrier so I can strap him into his car seat.

Side-eyeing her, I mumble, “I was stressing about what would happen to Sammy if I were to die.”

“Oh.” She presses her lips together. “For starters, let’s not think negatively like that. Second, I hope you know I’d never let anything bad happen to him.”

I jerk my head in a nod and cover him with a blanket now that he’s all strapped in.

As I push the button to close the door and step back, Rosie places a gentle hand on my arm.

“Hey.” Her tone is soft, comforting. “Don’t freak out. If this is something you’re really worried about, then let’s call Nina. She can help you set up whatever you need to in order to make sure he’s taken care of.”

Leave it to Rosie to talk sense into me.

Feeling a modicum lighter, I press a hand to her cheek and bring my mouth to hers.

Before Rosie, kissing was just kissing.

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