Page 13 of Legends Luke

Easton nodded in response to his brother’s question. “Turns out the stalker wasn’t too smart. He works with our client. According to Ben, they dated once. Didn’t even sleep together. Didn’t even kiss. But he convinced himself she was the pure and wholesome woman he’d been waiting for all his life. The asshole wanted her to think she had a dangerous stalker, so when he swooped in to protecther, she’d magically want to spend her life with him. Jerk is a nutjob.”

Luke scowled. “How’s Ben closing the case?”

“He got the evidence to have the fool arrested. Helped the woman get a restraining order. He thinks the guy’s public defender will request a psychiatric evaluation, but Ben said since they have the evidence to connect the guy with harassing our client, the cops can protect her. He’s leaving her our contact info just in case.”

“It’ll be good to have him back. I can stop covering for him at the bar.”

Easton grinned. “You didn’t seem to mind being at the bar tonight.”

Luke’s scowl deepened. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about Melody. I saw the two of you flirting with each other.”

Luke shifted his weight in his chair. “I don’t flirt.”

Easton chuckled. “I can’t blame you, bro. Melody’s smoking hot. She seems like she’d be a lot of fun. You should go for it.”

Luke rolled his neck until he was glaring at his brother. “You had your eye on her first. You had me babysit her, so you could charm her while you worked, remember? Why are you eager to pass her off to me now? Let me guess. You called her while you were in the hallway trying to hook up with her later, and she turned you down. Forget it. I’m not desperate for your leftovers.”

Easton’s smile dropped. “I should deck you for even talking about her like that. I saw her first, sure, but then I saw her with you.And I saw how you were with her. You haven’t been so interested in a woman since you asked Abbie Trent to the prom.”

Luke recalled a vivid memory of the gorgeous cheerleader who’d taken his virginity. She had been the first — and only — woman he fancied being in love with. He should deck Easton for even comparing the two situations. “You’re talking out of your ass. Drop it.”

Easton chuckled. “That’s your tell, you know. Pretending to be mean and annoyed when we’re close to guessing the truth. You don’t scare me, man. You’re only proving me right. You like Melody.”

Luke scowled. “You trying to say you don’t?”

“I’m trying to say you should go for it with her, because, believe me, if you don’t, somebody else will. You just don’t have to worry about the someone else being me.”

Luke was saved from replying when Jackson appeared in the waiting room. The grin splitting Jackson’s face was enough to bring them all to their feet.

“The baby’s here. I can’t believe it. The baby’s here.”

Traci stepped forward anxiously. “Reagan?”

“She’s good. She and the baby are good. The doctor said to give them a few minutes, and then you can go in to see them. They’re perfect, both of them.”

“Well?” Easton demanded. “Don’t keep us in suspense. Do you have a son or daughter?”

If possible, Jackson’s massive chest puffed out even more, and his face beamed with pride. “I have a son. Eight pounds, six ounces,nineteen and a half inches long. Ten fingers, ten toes, and a set of lungs like his mother.”

The joke drew laughter from the group. Then a trill of excitement flowed through the room with everyone patting Jackson on the back, offering congratulations. Their family friend, Becky Lathan, hugged Traci while Randall stood next to his wife with his hands on her shoulders. English moved forward to shake Jackson’s hand, the older man overcome with emotion.

“When you came to stay with me all those years ago...” English’s voice trailed off as he collected himself. “I never thought you would one day have a son of your own. Or you would have one with my daughter. Damn, Jacky, this is too good to be true.”

Jackson released a belly laugh. “But it is. I’m one lucky man.”

“What about the baby’s name, Jackson? What did you and Reagan decide on?” Becky asked, tears shining in her eyes.

“Jax. Jax Ryan Moore.”

“A fine name,” English said, his voice thick with emotion.

Luke had never seen English become emotional. His training as a CIA operative taught him to keep his feelings hidden. Even in raising the boys, he wasn’t overtly affectionate. Luke could hardly believe a little baby they had not seen yet would bring out English’s sensitive side.

A short time later, after the hospital allowed a few visitors at a time to Reagan’s hospital room, Luke found himself in there with Easton, watching his oldest brother holding his son. The scene was surreal. Jackson, who was tall, broad, and muscular, someone aperson wouldn’t want to run into in a dark alley, holding a delicate baby as if he were the most fragile, precious treasure he’d ever owned.

“You guys want to hold him?” Jackson’s voice was lower, softer than Luke had ever heard it.

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