Page 59 of Ruthless

“You let me mess with it all the time.” My eyes narrow.

“You’re different.” His tongue darts out to lick his bottom lip as he clears his throat. “Always have been.”

Heat fills my cheeks at hearing that, and my insides light up as if they’ve just been given the best gift. “That’s one apology down, but you still owe me.”

He rubs his thumb along my bottom lip. “Name it, and I’ll do it.”

“Anything?” I tease.

“Anything.” He presses a soft kiss to my mouth.

The corners of my mouth lift into a wide smile. “Remember you said that.”

“How many more times do we have to kneel?” Axel whispers from next to Zane.

“Ax,” Zane growls out in response but never turns his head.

“I’m getting rug burn on my knees,” Axel whines.

“Axel, behave.” Kelsey slaps him on the shoulder.

I chew on my lip to keep from laughing in the middle of Mass. When I asked Zane for my favor last week, I never thought it would turn into a full-blown family affair. I guess it makes sense since Kelsey is my cousin, but I don’t think they had any idea what they were getting themselves into.

Axel and Kelsey are on Zane’s left, and I’m stuffed in the pew between Zane and Connor. Asher and Charlee opted to stay home because Lily’s teething and fussier than usual, which is entirely understandable. I think they also did that so that Asher could keep an eye on Isaac. I’m just wondering if Axel is the one who needed babysitting.

At least Zane convinced his brother to wear a pair of black dress slacks and a navy button-up shirt that matches his. That was a battle, but Axel agreed, thanks to Kelsey mentioning how hot he’d look all dressed up.

This morning was a series of wins. I was also able to keep my breakfast down. My hand rests on my stomach as I sigh. The black baby doll dress I’m wearing is loose enough in the middle to not bother my tiny bump. In the last week, I’ve popped. It’s not huge, but it’s noticeable to me.

Father O’Dea keeps going with Sunday morning Mass, but I don’t miss the way his gaze darts from the general crowd to Axel. I almost want to scooch down lower to avoid being seen. If we were in the back, it would be much easier to hide, but we’re in the same front row that my family has occupied since I can remember.

“Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord,” Father O’Dea says, signaling the end of Mass.

There isn’t a set system on how anyone exits the church, but my family is usually the last to leave. The main reason is that my dad likes to hang back and chat with Father O’Dea. He’s the same priest that married my parents over twenty years ago, and it helps my dad feel a bit closer to my mom when he does.

Dressed in his Sunday best of an expensive pin-striped suit and matching Fedora, my dad stands and makes his way over to where Father O’Dea is standing. My brothers follow in line behind him, dressed in a similar style. One thing my dad always made sure of was that we wore our Sunday best for church.

My eyes drift over to where they’re standing, but I stay seated a bit longer—the more space between us, the better. Having a conversation with Father O’Dea about my less than traditional wedding is the last thing I want to do today.

They shake hands and stand around conversing. My brothers join them with smiles on their faces. They don’t talk long because other people begin to gather around, eager for Father O’Dea’s attention.

My dad gives him one more handshake and makes his way down the aisle to the front door with my brothers in tow. I stand too and follow out after him with Zane, Axel, and Kelsey behind me. It’s a good thing I wore my flats today because I’m so focused on making it out of there undetected that I almost trip and fall. Zane catches me before I can faceplant into the green carpet.

At the door, I dip my hand in the holy water and do the sign of the cross before continuing on my way outside to the car where my dad and brothers are waiting.

The sun hits my face, and I smile. It’s a beautiful August summer day in Georgia, with a few clouds decorating the sky. Judging by the overwhelming humidity in the air, a rainstorm is coming.

“Kelsey.” My dad kisses her on the cheek. She doesn’t flinch, but I don’t miss the way her posture stiffens underneath her blue maxi dress. She’s still coming to terms with the fact that we’re family. That word means something entirely different to men like my dad than most people. Blood is thicker than water in his eyes, and he’ll make a deal with the devil himself if it’s in our best interest. I don’t know much about her dad, but I’m guessing he wasn’t as affectionate with her as mine is with us.

She presses her lips into a tight smile and steps back next to Axel, who snakes his arm around her waist and jerks her back against him. He and Zane are still apprehensive when it comes to my father, but I hope that’s something that will change with time.

“How are ye feelin’ today,astóirín?” My dad wraps me up in a hug and kisses the top of my head before pulling me back to look me in the eye.

“No nausea, so that’s a plus.” I press a hand to my lower stomach and smile up at him.

“That’s grand. Glad to hear it.” My dad smiles down at me, the corners of his eyes creasing and hinting at his actual age. My father may be in his early forties, but you’d never know it by how he carries himself.

Zane’s warmth hits my back as he comes up right behind me and winds his arms around my middle, pulling me back against his chest.

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