Page 42 of Last Resort

“Don’t say that,” Brax muttered. “That’ll make our lives indefinitely harder.”

Chance scrubbed a hand down his face. “We have to consider the possibility.”

A mole would have enough knowledge to evade them for a long time, and all he wanted to do was clear this case up and concentrate on Maci. He didn’t have time for chaotic stalkers when he had a baby on the way.

They made it back to the office and everyone started to pack up for the day. Funny how Chance wasn’t even tempted to try to talk his brothers into staying late and working.

Having someone at home waiting made all the difference.

“I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

Brax stopped him with a hand at his chest, pushing him back toward the office kitchen. “We’ve cut you some slack with the questions of what exactly is going on between you and our beloved office manager.”

Luke smiled. “But there’s no way in hell we’re leaving here without a toast to our new niece or nephew.”

Weston wagged his dark eyebrows. “And to you becoming a father, ready or not.”

Luke pulled out a bottle of whiskey—the expensive one they used very rarely. “This is usually for celebrating big wins. I think Chance becoming a daddy is the biggest win of all.”

With a grin at Chance, he poured them each a drink, and all four of them lifted the glasses in a toast.

“Chance,” Brax started, “fatherhood is the wildest ride with the most amazing reward.” He was the only one of them able to speak of fatherhood with intimate knowledge. “I know you’re going to ace it.”

Weston clapped him on the back. “You’ve been fathering everyone around you since we all became Pattersons. Probably did it before that too. That’s how we know you’re going to be so good at it. You’ve got a lifetime of practice.”

Luke held his glass up and they all joined. “Congratulations on becoming a dad and making us all uncles again. To fatherhood!”

“To fatherhood!” They clinked their glasses and sipped.

Once again it hit him.He was going to be a dad.Maci was having his baby.

“So, Maci, huh?” Luke waggled his eyebrows, making Chance laugh.

“Yeah. It was...unexpected.”

That really made his brothers laugh.

“Only to you,” Brax said, shaking his head. “It was plain as day to anyone else with working eyeballs, despite the hostility you both threw. Tessa and I had a bet on when you’d get together.”

Though he was curious, Chance decided he didn’t need to know who won in the end.

Brax nodded. “You and Maci aren’t a surprise. It was inevitable.”

“Maybe,” Chance conceded.

“So, are you two together now?” Luke asked. “Should we add another place for family dinner this week?”

“We’ll see about dinner. Depends on how she’s feeling.” He finished the last of his whiskey. “And no, to us being together. At least, I don’t think so.”

Luke’s eyes sharpened on Chance’s face. “You can still be part of the child’s life without being romantically involved with Maci. Do you want to be together?”

“I do.” The answer was immediate. Chance knew months ago he wanted her as more than whatever they were. She’d just run before he could admit it. “Maci is... Well, you know her. She’s great. She’s funny and smart as a whip. I love how she keeps me—keeps all of us—on our toes. I like how easy it is to rile her up and that she can throw back whatever I dish up. We just fit.”

“Have you told her that?” Weston asked.

He let out a sigh. “No. She’s skittish. It feels like she’s two seconds away from bolting at any given moment.” Like she’d done the first time.

“I’m no expert on relationships or women, but why don’t you start by telling her that? Maybe it’ll help, let her put down some roots. It’s hard to be real with someone when they aren’t sure where you stand.”

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