Page 29 of Crimson Tears

Grabbing a water bottle out of the fridge, I crack open the lid while listening to the two of them banter. They are making bread for all of the guys to come over while the girls head to Evie’s for a chill night.

I mentally prepare myself for Laney to beg to do my nails while Evie tries to encourage her as a way to make sure she doesn’t have to get hers done too.

I love my friends though. They make this family we’ve created feel whole. Even if half of what they talk about is them juggling having multiple men in their life, it’s always fun to sit back and listen.

I have learned so much about polyamory I never knew before. I once jokingly told Laney to find me a harem of my own. I know Boris though, and that’s not him. Monogamy is all that makes sense to him, even if he does accept his son for not living that same lifestyle.

Sighing, I reach around Boris and help him mimic Cillian’s movements. It would be a crime to allow bread this good to go to waste.

Cillian smiles as he watches me. He’s accepted what Boris and I have so easily the past few days. Cillian no longer tries to pick a fight, and Boris has stopped being so territorial.

Yesterday, when Boris walked onto the patio to find my legs draped over Cillian’s lap because I refused to move from my spot simply because he’d arrived, he just took up the spot on the other side of me until I was lying back on his shoulder. It was one of the most peaceful mornings I have had in a while.

We all know there will be work to do the second we have a call or an update. But for now, it’s like we are getting a chance to take a breath and enjoy these moments.

By the time we place the bread in the oven, I’m sure the smile that’s on my face is going to stay for a long time.

Chapter 9

Standing on the front porch, I press a long kiss to Nessa’s lips. She is headed to hang out with Evie for the night while my son and his friends come over to the house.

Laney and her men had to cancel because they apparently just got some groundbreaking information for their current mission and needed to stay home and work. It has something to do with this therapist also being important to my nephew, someone he knew when he was a child.

Frankly, the relationship dynamics in this family of ours can be pretty complex to keep up with most days. My nephew and hisboyfriend are both Laney’s boyfriends. Then there’s my son, who has two other men he shares his wife with, and those two men are also together.

It is all a lot to process some days, but it has become our normal.

“Have fun, and behave,” I whisper in her ear as we separate.

She beams at me. “I always behave.”

When she turns to leave, I smack her ass for being a tease as well as a little liar.

“Hey,” she shouts as she walks backward to her death trap of a vehicle. “I’ll get you back for that.”

I chuckle as she gets into her vehicle and drives away, watching until she disappears down the drive. Nessa definitely keeps me on my toes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The thought has me smirking to myself.

When I turn to move back into the house, I startle, finding Cillian directly behind me.

“What the hell?” I ask, taking a step back.

“Well, I had to see her off too. I’m nothing if not a complete gentleman.”

He tilts his head to the side, and I wonder how long he has been there. Did he watch us kiss? Is his presence the reason Nessa acted out like it was a little show?

“You coming inside?” he asks while I stand there. “They’ll be here soon, and we need to take the bread out and get the drinks ready.”

I shake the surprise off as I step into the house, beginning to wonder when Cillian became the one who had things in order.

“We try not to have alcohol in front of Damien. He has been sober for a little over two years and doesn’t mind if we drink, but out of respect for him we tend not to.”

I feel it is important to inform Cillian of that before he starts grabbing drinks to bring into the living room.

“Got it. I prefer water most of the time anyway. I don’t need a scotch to have a grand time.”

“Agreed,” I say with a shrug. I cannot remember the last time I sat in my office with a scotch in front of me. It had to be before Nessa. Working is no longer enjoyable for me sober or slightly buzzed. The only time I like my office anymore is if my girl is there with me. And I think she would slap me for drinking on the job.

After we carry the drinks and food over to the coffee table, Cillian helps me pull out the large poker table we plan on using tonight. I was going to offer to play with fake money. That is, until Alexi informed me of Cillian’s bank account information.

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