Page 27 of Rooster's Redemption

“It’s not one of ours,” I tell them. I check for a pulse and find none. Looking up I see Tex leaning over the well-hole six floors up.

“Sorry,” Tex whisper shouts.

“So much for being stealthy,” Blayde grumbles.

“Let’s finish this,” Kayne responds and shoves open the basement door. I’m the first one down the dark stairs and stop at the bottom. Looking around, I catch a flash of something out of the corner of my eyes behind the staircase. I quietly head in that direction with Ace behind me while Kayne, Stryker, Duke and Blayde spread out.

I reach the back of the stairwell and turn to the right. Suddenly small arms wrap around me, tackling us to the ground. I can tell it’s Alyssa by her size and scent. She wraps me in a chokehold squeezing as hard as she can.

“What the hell woman?” I growl out.

“Oh, shit,” Alyssa replies, releasing my neck. She climbs off me and I get off the ground with Ace’s help. He’s laughing his ass off and Alyssa scowls at him. “I’m so sorry, Rooster. I thought you were the men who took us.”

“It’s OK, spitfire. But next time warn a brother.” I pull Alyssa into my body, relishing her soft curves.

“I like that,” Alyssa says against my chest.

“Like what?”

“Spitfire. It’s a lot better thanbaby princess.”Alyssa grumbles. I can’t help but laugh.

She pulls her head away from my chest and stares into my eyes. My lips descend onto hers in a kiss that’s full of passion, love and raw unadulterated lust. She parts for my tongue and I groan when her flavor explodes in my mouth.

A throat clears behind us and I pull away, resting my forehead against Alyssa’s. “We’ll finish this later.” I rumble against her soft, succulent lips.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Uh, I hate to break up the reunion but we have other matters to attend to,” Kayne says. I turn to look at him wondering why he’s talking in hushed tones. He’s standing underneath the stairwell and steps to the side.

Alyssa pulls herself out of my arms and goes to Kayne. She squats down and holds her hand out. “It’s OK, baby. They’re friends of mine. I promise.” Alyssa coaxes the little person hiding in the shadows.

A small hand reaches out of the darkness and wraps around Alyssa’s. Their skin is pale compared to Alyssa’s tan. The hand is small and unsteady as Alyssa reaches into the shadows and lifts them into her arms. She takes a step out from behind the staircase, whispering soothing words while rubbing her hand up and down the little person’s back. Once Alyssa steps out from the shadows and my gaze lands on a little girl with blonde hair, eyes as dark as mine, the shape of my nose and my face, I inhale a deep breath. My heart skips a beat when I realize I’m looking at my little girl. Alyssa was right, she is a spitting image of me, minus the blonde hair that she got from Phoebe. Everything else is me.

Holy shit.

Chapter

Seventeen

ALYSSA

Isee the moment Rooster realizes who I’m holding. His dark eyes normally full of hate and vengeance take on a softer look that he usually saves for me. My heart skips a beat when he realizes this is his daughter, our daughter.

I step forward and introduce them. “Elsa,” I pick her head off my shoulder. “I’d like you to meet Lucas. He’s the special man I told you about earlier. Will you say hi?”

Elsa picks her head off my chest and looks Rooster over. He hasn’t moved a muscle, watching and waiting to see how Elsa reacts. “Hi, Lucas.”

Rooster clears his throat, “Hi, Elsa. I’m honored I get to finally meet you.”

Elsa’s face lights up in a beautiful smile and Rooster returns it. I can’t hold back the tears as father and daughter meet for the first time. “Elsa, there is something else I want to tell you.” My voice is horse from trying to hold onto my emotions.

“What mommy?” Her little voice is so trusting, I don’t want to hurt her but I have to tell her.

“Lucas…” I trail off trying to find the words. “He’s…well, I don’t know how to tell you this.”

“I’m more than a friend to your mom and as long as you approve, I’d like to be your dad.” Rooster cuts me off.

Elsa scrunches her little nose. “But I already have a dad.”

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