Page 53 of Inked Craving

His eyes sparked, and I nodded tightly. “I’ve got you. I’ve got the girls. I’ve got my folks. I’ve got all of you.” I met Lee’s gaze, and he leaned forward and kissed me softly.

None of my brothers said a thing, and I was glad for it. “I’m here. Promise,” Lee whispered.

I knew that because I wasn’t alone. And I would do whatever I could with the power running through my veins to make sure Emery knew she was wanted. That everyone in her life was there because they loved her and wanted to be there for her. And when I leaned into Lee’s hold, and Beckett and Benjamin gave each other a look as Archer smirked at me, I rolled my eyes. Lee flipped them off, and I laughed, surprising myself.

This wasn’t how the day was supposed to go, but maybe, just maybe, we’d find a way to make it work.

ChapterSixteen

Lee

“Still no word on the note writer?” Benjamin asked as he helped me lift the box containing my new grill.

I adjusted my grip on the box and sighed. “Nothing at all.”

“Does that worry you?” he asked.

“Yes, because I don’t know what the fuck was going on before, and I still don’t. However, we’ve had so many other things to worry about that I haven’t focused on that since the last card.”

“And you still haven’t told Paige.”

I cringed. “Every time I open my mouth to tell her, Emery spits up. Or something else happens. Like a certain asshole giving up rights to his kid.”

“That man is lucky that I promised Paige I would not fly out there and kill him.”

“Rafael wouldn’t appreciate you dying or ending up in jail.”

Benjamin scowled. “Are you saying I can’t take Colton?”

“Shut up,” I said with a laugh, thankful my best friend could find humor in the situation.

My friend sobered. “You need to tell her.”

“I will.” I let out a breath. “Even if nothing comes from the investigation and notes, I will tell her. I just want tonight to go well.”

“You need to tell her tonight anyway.”

“You’re right, damn it. I need to. Because she’s going to find out, even if we don’t mean to keep secrets, we are. There goes the good date for the night.”

Benjamin shook his head. “Being truthful with the woman that you’re with isn’t a bad thing.”

I scowled. “I know. She’s just had so much to worry about. I don’t want to add something that hasn’t been an issue for the past few weeks.”

“It’ll keep her and Emery safe if you do.”

My blood ran cold, and I nodded tightly, reality setting in. “You’re right. Fuck. Because whoever it is figured out where I live. They’re bound to figure out where I’m at most days.”

“If my sister gets hurt, I’m going to be the one who kills you because I can’t get to Colton.”

I nodded tightly. “If Paige gets hurt for me, I will gladly let you do it.”

Benjamin met my gaze and shook his head. “Well, fuck. You make it hard to hate you.”

“I hope so.”

We finished putting together the grill, and Benjamin headed back to the house to be with Brenna and Rafael. Brenna’s parents were in town to visit the baby, and they had wanted grandparent time. While Brenna worked on an order, Benjamin had been able to take some time to help me. I could have done it myself, but it was nice to hang out with my friend.

I looked around my modest home and figured that I’d done pretty well for myself, considering I’d started from nothing. After losing my parents, it had been touch and go for a while. Now, I owned this place, had some student debt, but not massive thanks to scholarships and grants, and was making do. Paige’s house was bigger and Montgomery-made, though, and I liked it more. I tried not to think about what would happen if we went a step further because I couldn’t see Emery growing up here. Not with the small backyard and not enough space. I would be there. Living with them.

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