Page 133 of Ruthless Beasts

I sighed contentedly at the sleeping child. "It sure the fuck does."

EPILOGUE

BELLAMY

SIX MONTHS LATER

I rolled over, my arm smacking into a solid body, and my lips instantly curved up. I let my fingers slide over every muscle, testing the skin under my fingertips. Mercer. I opened my eyes, catching his blue eyes. Guessing who was lying with me without looking had become one of my favorite hobbies. I knew them, knew each of them like they were an extension of me.

"What time is it?" I mumbled as I snuggled into him.

"Almost ten."

I jumped up, nearly tripping as the sheet wrapped around my ankle. Mercer's hand shot out, steadying me. "It's fine, baby."

"No. It was my turn to get up with her this morning." I looked around, searching for a shirt.

"Baby," Mercer cooed. "You have three of us. You know we wouldn't really hold you to that bet. Plus, we kept you up late."

They did, and I loved every second. Just the thought had my body aching deliciously and my thighs squeezing together withwant. "Still. I'm not a wimp. I can take my punishment. I lost a bet. Now I need to pay up."

"You've paid up with your mouth on my cock last night. Let them have her. You know they always fight over who takes care of her in the mornings, anyway."

Another truth. My men could not get enough of our daughter. In fact, it was an obsession. The poor girl was going to have a rough time when teenage years hit because there was no way she'd be let out of their sight. Fatherhood had taken to these men well, and each time I saw her in one of their arms, I melted a little inside.

I leaned over, kissing Mercer, letting his tongue slide over my lips until I was nearly a gooey puddle at his feet. Then I pulled back, tapping my palm against his cheeks. "Get up. I'm hungry."

"I could f?—"

I cut him off. "For food, Merc. I want food. Not dick."

He rolled his eyes like a child not getting his way. "Fine. I heard Mimi was cooking this morning, anyway."

Internally, I did a happy dance. I loved when she cooked. Was it the healthiest? No. But it tasted too damn good, and the boys didn't seem to mind the few pounds her cooking had added to my waist. Mimi had moved in here after the fire, and after…

I didn't like to talk about it and usually avoided the topic. I guess the horror of almost dying does that to a gal. But I was grateful she came here and never left because it gifted little Rosie the best of grandmas, even if Mimi was forced to lose everything in a scheme of revenge.

Clothed, against Mercer's wishes, we found everyone sitting at the table, chatting and talking over a plate of fresh fried donuts, home fries, eggs, and bacon. Off to the side, there was a bowl of fruit that I knew Ace cut up to add a little balance to the meal. Instantly, I was pulled to Adam, kissing him on the cheek in greeting before doing the same to Ace and Rosie.

"I see my girl has already run the house this morning." I pinched her cheek, and she giggled, gifting us with the sweetest sound in the world. When I reached to take her, Ace's fingers tightened on her little body. I held my hands up in surrender and pulled up a chair, before taking a plate Adam had filled for me.

They were obsessed with this girl. In fact, even as her mother, they made it impossible for me to get some affection when none of them ever wanted to share her. Never in my life would I have thought they could be brought to their knees, yet here they were, complete suckers at the whim of a child.

The door slammed in the living room, and Mercer winced. "Here we go again."

"Stop that," I hissed.

"She's insufferable." Adam leaned back in the chair.

"Save a guy's life once and he never appreciates you again," Hannah said as she burst into the room. "Boys. Ma'ams. Little lady. Fur lady."

I grinned as my men all groaned, then I offered Hannah a piece of my donut. "As a reminder, today is a girls' day. Max and Drew will trail us."

"Lucky them," Ace mumbled before shoving some strawberries into his mouth.

"Could be worse," Max confirmed, but I didn't miss the affection in his eyes as he watched my best friend. Apparently, my men weren't the only ones who were obsessed.

"Belle. I'd like a private word with you before you go," Adam barked, standing.

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