Page 14 of Wrath's Redemption

"Promise?" she whispers.

Instead of answering, I find myself leaning closer. Her breath hitches, her lips parting slightly. Just like I remember. Just like that night when—

Anna starts to cry.

We break apart as Lucy scrambles to her feet, but I'm already moving. Three long strides and I'm at the crib, lifting our daughter into my arms.

"Shh, little girl," I murmur, cradling her against my chest. "Daddy's got you."

The word feels strange on my tongue, but right. So fucking right.

Lucy appears at my side, her hand gentle on Anna's back. "She needs her medicine. It's in the blue bag."

I hold Anna while Lucy prepares the nebulizer, our movements awkward but synchronized, like we've been doing this together all along. Like we're a real family.

And watching Lucy tend to our daughter, seeing Anna's tiny hand grip my cut as she breathes in the medicine, I realize something that scares me more than any rival club ever could:

I want this. All of it. Not just being Anna's father, but being with Lucy too. Having them both in my life, in my home, in my heart.

The thought should send me running. Should make me put up those walls I've spent years building.

Instead, I just hold my daughter closer and breathe in the scent of my new reality – baby powder, medicine, and Lucy's floral shampoo.

This is what family feels like. This is what I've been fighting for all along.

"How did you do it?" I ask, watching Anna's breathing even out as the medicine works. "Being a single mother... must've been hard."

Lucy's fingers trail over Anna's dark hair. "I don't know, honestly. Just... took it day by day. Knew I had to be strong for her." She gives a small laugh. "Sarah helped a lot. But my parents..." She pauses, and I remember what she told me that night a year ago – car accident, three years before we met. "I think they'd be proud, though. Of how I handled everything."

"They would be," I say gruffly. "I am."

She looks up at me, surprise in those green eyes. The same eyes that haunted my dreams for months after that night. Her lips part slightly, and God help me, I want to taste them again. Want to know if they're as soft as I remember, if she still makes that little gasp when—

The door bursts open, slamming against the wall. Anna startles awake with a cry, and rage floods my system. I'm already turning, ready to tear apart whatever prospect was stupid enough to—

"Holy shit!" Crow stands in the doorway, his eyes wide, "I'm an uncle?"

"Jesus Christ, brother," I growl, trying to settle Anna. "Ever heard of knocking?"

But Crow isn't listening. He's moving closer, staring at Anna like she's some kind of miracle. Which, I guess, she is.

"She looks just like you," he breathes. "Except, you know, cute."

Despite my anger at him waking her, I feel my lips twitch. "Yeah, well, Angel already said that joke and thank God she got her mother's looks."

Lucy steps forward. "You must be Crow. Wrath's told me... some things."

Crow's eyes snap to her, then back to me. "You told her shit? You never tell anyone shit."

"Language," Lucy and I say simultaneously, then look at each other in surprise.

Crow's grin widens.

"Oh, this is perfect. Wait till I tell Emma – she's gonna love this." He reaches out, letting Anna grab his finger. "Hey there, princess. I'm your Uncle Crow. I'm gonna teach you all sorts of trouble—"

"Like hell you are," I cut him off, but there's no heat in it. Watching my brother with my daughter... it does something to my chest. Something new.

"Does Hellfire know?" Crow asks, still captivated by Anna.

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