Page 74 of The Devil's Conflict

Rose comes over and sits down across from me, grinning. “And I bet her Auntie Thea could show her a few things to keep those pesky underlings in line,” she jokes.

I grin. “Us girls have to stick together and pass on the knowledge somehow.” Rose laughs outright as I take a bite of my sandwich.

The other women come and sit down as Macy and Archer race around the playset, Macy screeching and laughing. But then I notice Syn isn’t here, or her dogs. Before I can ask, Sage explains, “She’s exhausted and went to take a nap. I swear she’s no fun past five o’clock now that she’s preggers.” Then she grins. “But I can’t wait until she has the baby. I’m going to be the best aunt ever.” Then she looks at Quinn. “And your two, I plan on corrupting from the day they’re born just to give their father gray hair before he’s forty.”

Quinn laughs, rubbing her growing belly. I’ve never been one to imagine being pregnant, but honestly I would think having two in there would be both interesting and terrifying. One kid sleeps while the other just kicks the shit out of you? Yeah, no I’m good on that front. Still, Quinn is glowing, and clearly none of that bothers her. “Honestly, I never thought I would have any more kids,” Quinn admits. “And the thought of having two at the same time is terrifying.”

“How is Shadow handling that?” Rose asks with a grin.

“He’s already told me that we need to find out the sexes as soon as we can. He keeps saying he needs to know if he’s going to have at least one of them to back him up.”

“Are they fraternal or identical twins?” I ask.

“Fraternal. So there is a chance we could have one of each or just two the same.” Then she smiles softly. “I have a feeling one of them is going to be a boy though.”

“Who wants to put money on Macy making him her little minion by the time he’s five?” Izzy giggles. “If you have a boy, he and Shadow don’t stand a chance. Especially if you have another girl just as strong and stubborn as Macy.”

Quinn beams. “I would love it, honestly. I know Macy is a handful, but I’ll never have to worry about her not being able to stand up for herself.”

“Not to mention, if some little shit tries to hurt her, she’ll have the entire Coven and MC at her back.” Sadie giggles.

“The jail will be full that day.” Eden laughs.

“Archer will probably lead the charge.” Sadie grins. “Really, you and Viper need to get to work on giving him a little brother or sister. He’s a natural with Macy.” We all look to see Archer standing guard over her Macy as she makes her way up the rock climbing wall, tongue between her teeth in determination. Archer’s eyes never leave her as he stands right beneath her, calling out encouragement.

I look back at Eden and see a soft, loving smile on her face. “Maybe in a year or two,” she finally says. “I want a little time with just him and Archer before we change things up.”

“I give it six month with the way you two go at it.” Sadie snickers. “Or was it not you I heard last night when I was trying to sleep?”

Eden’s gaze moves to her, brow arching. “And how would you know that if you were in your room, huh?” she asks pointedly. “The one that is in the opposite wing of where Viper and I are. But you know whose rooms are close to Viper and I? Bowie and Frost’s. Care to share?”

Sadie’s eyes widen at what she’s just revealed.

“I’m disappointed.” Rose sighs, sounding forlorn. “Honey, if whoever you were with didn’t wear you out enough you were able to hear them when you should have been passed out from exhaustion, I think I might need to change some of my opinions.”

I snort out a laugh, as does Sage. “Sounds like someone needs some pointers,” Sage agrees. “It’s sad, sometimes the pretty ones just don’t know what they’re doing. But good on you for trying to teach him.”

“Shut up,” Sadie groans. “Damn it, I didn’t want to say anything because it’s not like that. Look, Bowie and I…we’re notreally anything, but we have become friends, and we…we just have things we like to talk about. And sometimes, I just don’t bother going back to my room. It’s hard when all of you are coupled up and I don’t have much to do here, and Bowie gets it. He gets me. Simple as that.”

Eden loses her smirk and looks at her. “I’m sorry, Sadie,” she starts.

Sadie holds up her hand. “No, that is exactly why I haven’t told you much about it. I don’t want you to feel guilty or feel like you’re not giving me attention. You shouldn’t be anyway. You have a man and a child that needs your attention, and that’s exactly the way it should be. And besides, it’s not like we don’t hang out or have girl’s night. Or, hell, sometimes I come over to climb in bed with you to piss off Viper, though that hasn’t been working because he just moves over and makes room so I can cuddle. But sometimes, it’s nice hanging out with someone who gets you. Someone who understands that sometimes you just want to hang out and not talk or do anything.”

Eden doesn’t look convinced, but I can tell that Sadie isn’t going to elaborate. No one says anything, but I can tell from their faces that they’re not convinced either. Trying to lighten the mood, I ask, “The real question is, boxers or briefs?”

Everyone stares at me for a moment, and then Sadie laughs and wiggles her brows before replying, “Boxers. Though I’ve only caught a glimpse because he always wears sleep pants when I’m around.”

“Mmmm, I do love a good pair of sleep pants on a man.” Izzy sighs dreamily. “They’re just as good as gray sweatpants if you get the right kind.”

“Nah, nude for me all the way,” Sage drawls. “I want access to the goods whenever I feel like. And, of course, I return the favor.”

“What goods?” Macy’s little voice asks suddenly. Izzy, Sadie, and Eden gasp in surprise, while Rose and I just grin, and Quinn looks like she wants the ground to swallow her whole.

“It’s a joke, honey,” Quinn manages to get out. I glance and see Archer standing just behind her, looking both amused and disgusted. “It just means that sometimes adults like to share things between them.”

Macy doesn’t look the least bit convinced. “You mean like the dildo that you won’t let me play with?” she demands, hands going to her hips.

It’s my turn for my eyes to widen as Rose sputters out a laugh, falling forward to put her head on the table as her shoulders shake. Sage and Sadie both turn their heads away as they try to keep from bursting too, but their faces are red with the effort. Okay, there is definitely a story here, and I want to know what it is ASAP. Izzy and Eden share huge grins, and Quinn’s face contorts into one of annoyance. “Macy, how many times do I have to tell you that was a joke Grandma told and there isn’t a toy named that?” she asks in exasperation.

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