Page 65 of Stone

She swipes her hands on the towel and straightens her top as she stares down at her stomach and edible tits. “Do I look big?”

“You’re pregnant.”

Her eyes narrow. “You’re not helping.”

I grin widely at her. “You’re hot. So fucking hot my cock is getting hard.” Then I place her hand on the swell of my jeans.

Eyes widening, she shakes her head. “Your mother is out there. We need to make a good impression.” She points toward the door, and I roll my eyes.

It’s not like I know the woman. I’m just following through on my promise to Oscar. I feel sure among the numerous paperwork for our new identity Mr. Personality had me sign a damn contract promising visitation rights to family in return to keeping us secret. Overbearing prick.

We head toward the door, and as we step out into the sun, I have no choice but to hold my hand up to stop the blinding light. Only when I lower my hand do I see her.

Her.

Her bright-blue eyes are full of unshed tears. Her lip wobbles and her body stills, rendering me powerless. When a choked sound comes from the man holding her hand, my gaze snaps to him.

Con.

My breath is stolen from me.

I grab onto the wall to steady my footing as my legs threaten to give way and, like a tsunami, memories hit me. One after the fucking other.

“Look, Da! Con made Keenan a boat outta wood.” Finn smiles.

“Did you draw this? It’s fucking amazing, Keenan.” Bren beams down at me.

“Look at those dimples. You’re going to break some hearts. Just like me.” Con winks.

Da turns toward Oscar and pats me on the head. “He’s as smart as you are already.”

Each memory is as brutally heart wrenching as the last.

Cal tips my chin up as a tear slides down my face. “You might be the youngest, Keenan, but you’re just as important as the oldest.”

Pain lances down my face as I struggle to comprehend the memories assaulting me.

“If you eat all your greens, you’re going to be big and strong like Bren and your da.” Ma smiles, her bright-blue eyes lighting up with pride.

“You’re a man now, you have the family insignia on you.” Da grins down at the tattoo on my bicep, and I beam back at him as my chest swells.

“So, where to once we get your wallet? I need food!” I joke toward Con, and he turns the SUV into the family warehouse.

The memory from the night I was shot has pain surging through my chest, and I stumble back, hitting the wall. My chest tightens and my vision clouds as I fall to the floor, desperately sucking in sharp breaths of air, but it’s futile. I feel like my lungs are caving in on me.

“Oh fuck, is he okay?” Footsteps race toward me, and the next thing I know, strong arms band around me, pulling me against a solid, warm chest. “Breathe. We’re here for you, brother, and we’re never letting you go. Never.” Con’s voice trembles against my ear, and I choke on emotion and a deep, harrowing sound leaves my throat. The beat of his heart against mine and his tight hold on me are feelings I never want to leave me. It feels like home.

My chest previously being crushed is now being given life again. “You’re our brother, Keenan and, fuck, we never stopped loving you.” He takes my face in his hands as we kneel on the ground and rests his forehead against mine. “A part of me died that day.” Tears spill from him openly, and his emotions bleed onto the concrete, crumbling my stone walls. “I’m sorry I let you down.” Tears stream down his reddened face. “I’m sorry I made you go into the warehouse.” He sniffles and shakes his head. “If I’d have known, I-I’d have never sent you in there to get my wallet. I swear it.” His desperate eyes search mine, imploring me with the truth.

My gut clenches at the thought of the weight of guilt he’s been carrying around with him, and I shake my head. “It’s not your fault.” I shake my head as I imagine how the course of those actions placed me right here. Where I was always meant to be, with Sienna by my side. “Don’t be sorry. I have everything I need right here. I have my family.”

He chokes and clears his throat, then swipes away the tears and snot, and looks at me with confidence oozing from him. “Today, you make us whole again, little brother. You make our family complete.”

Hearing the words I always wished for, to finally belong somewhere and feel it deep in my soul, has my mind whirling with possibilities. Or maybe they’re memories.

Our time together at a mansion.

Family dinners around a large table, with laughter filling the air.

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