Page 101 of Kidnapping Their Third

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Pike

Worried that Daniel would start hurling abuse at Cora, Pike was quick to stand up and forcefully guide the human out of the building. Waiting outside the front door were the wolves who’d escorted the Walsh men in.

“He’s ready to leave now,” Pike explained. “The rest of them will be staying for a while longer.”

The wolves nodded and took positions on either side of Daniel. “This way, sir.”

“I didn’t drive,” Daniel mumbled, staring straight ahead and looking shell shocked. “I rode with Cooper.”

“We’ll get you home,” one of the wolves said with a nod at Pike, then they guided him away.

Confident that Daniel was taken care of, Pike made his way back into the room to find Cora sitting on Kimble’s lap and laughing. In fact, all the siblings were laughing. It was the type of laugh you heard after living through something that should’ve been deadly. The relieved merriment of survivors.

“I didn’t think this would ever happen,” Tim said softly after the laughter had died down.

Pike made his way to Cora and put a hand on her shoulder. She relaxed back against him, some of the tension going out of her body. Grabbing the hand on her shoulder, she pulled it down and hugged his arm to her chest.

“You didn’t think anyone would ever stand up to Dad?” Caleb asked, giving Cora an admiring look. “Of course it would be Short Stop who did it.”

“That too,” Tim agreed, giving Cora a hopeful look. “I didn’t think I’d ever be free. Can I come work for you now?”

Cora shook her head. “No way.”

Tim’s jaw dropped. “What?”

“You’re going to college,” she stated firmly. “No more electrical work for you.”

His face flushed. “I can work for you until the semester starts. Oh shit, what am I going to do about a place to live? I was renting from Dad.”

“You’re going to move into my house,” Cora stated firmly. “I haven’t rented it out yet so you can stay there for as long as you need to. No rent.”

“Careful, with that kind of sweet deal, he might get to college and decide to never finish!” Cooper teased.

Tim pretended to punch Cooper in the gut. “Says the guy who moved in with a guy after the first date because he got himself evicted.”

Cooper grabbed Tim around the waist and lifted him into the air. “You promised to never bring that up again after I covered you on the Stell Street job!”

The brothers started wrestling in earnest, and Pike debated about pulling them apart. Then Caleb nudged the two out of the way so the rest of them could keep talking. It seemed this was common with those two.

“I’m out of a job too,” Carson said with a hopeful look at Cora.

“Of course you’re going to come to work for me,” she said. “You and Cooper both. I only refused Tim because it’s not the life he wants.”

“I guess no more monthly BBQ,” Caleb commented. “Looks like this is the end of an era.”

“We could try going to a park or something,” Carson suggested. “Other big families do that. And a park means playgrounds for the kids. It could be even better. There’s a great one by my office.”

“Sure, I guess that could work,” Caleb said without an ounce of enthusiasm.

“If the old era is ending, then a new one must begin,” Kimble said. “There’s plenty of room here and a small playground. As long as my people are invited, we could host your monthly parties.”

“Yeah!” Cooper shouted from the floor as he and Tim wrestled. “Let's do that! Cora’s in charge of the family now!”

Cora jolted against him, her hold tightening around his arm. “Uh, no, I don’t think—”

“I second Cooper’s suggestion,” Trevor said, cutting Cora’s protest off. “I second the idea of Cora as head of the family. Everyone who agrees, say aye!”

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