Page 84 of Claimed By the Cowboys
“Plus,” Dakota cut in after an extended silence, “it’s not just the ranch or the money that Caroline is after.” He crossed his arms over his chest with defiance. “She’s thinking that she still has a chance at getting Clay back.” He snorted a laugh before he lifted his chin brazenly. “As you can see, there’s no damn way that’s happening.” Dakota nodded to Clay, whose arms closed protectively around Piper.
“Not to mention, Caroline won’t be able to fake any kind of maternal sweetness for long. She might make noise about using Maisie to get what she wants, but we all know that Caroline’s true colors would show sooner rather than later. We just have to be patient,” I added, giving voice to the most upsetting truth of Caroline’s weak character.
“We’ve got nothing to worry about,” Zeke agreed, moving in closer to sit on the ottoman across from Piper and Clay. “We let her make a fool of herself at the mediation with her ridiculous claims and requests, then we make it crystal clear that we won’t budge an inch—that Clay has no intention of leaving his pack.” He punctuated his affirmation with a gentle squeeze of Piper’s knee.
“How far away is the mediation?” Piper asked, eyes wide with fear, teeth worrying at her bottom lip.
“A couple of weeks—plenty of time for us to figure out a game plan for the day of.” Clay ran a hand through Piper’s hair, guiding her to rest her head on his shoulder. “We can see if Emmy can get the day off to hang here at home with you and Maisie, if that would make you feel less anxious.”
“Anything that will help you feel better, sunshine.” I stepped forward, leaning down to kiss the top of Piper’s head. “We’re going to get through this and keep you and baby happy and healthy, I promise.”
Piper looked up at me with those crystal-blue eyes and dazzling smile.
Even with everything swirling around us, all I could think about was how beautiful she would look with Maisie and the new baby in her arms. I had already imagined a photo of the three of them beaming happily back at me from my desk.
Chapter 39
Piper
Once the morning of the mediation arrived, I found myself sick with worry.
Unable to eat or drink, my stomach tied in knots and swirling with acid, I had paced back and forth in the kitchen, while Maisie ate her waffles and cut strawberries, chewing my nails down to the quick in lieu of having my own breakfast.
“Hey, pretty girl,” Dakota called to me from the other side of the kitchen island. I looked up to see him, already sharply dressed in a crisp pale blue dress shirt and a deep golden-yellow satin tie.
Without thinking, I launched myself into his arms, burying my face in his chest to keep myself from bursting into tears in front of Maisie.
“I’m so anxious, I feel like I’m going to puke. This might actually be worse than the morning sickness.” I groaned, wrapping my arms around Dakota’s chest.
“I know it’s going to be a tough day, but we got permission to stream any joint sessions by Zoom, so you’ll be able to watch, safe and sound, from home,” Dakota reasoned calmly, stroking my hair.
“That helps a little bit, actually,” I admitted, nuzzling Dakota’s chest, his fresh rain scent soothing my frayed nerves. “If something fucked up does happen, at least I won’t be in the dark about it.”
“Deep breaths, sunshine.” I heard Montana’s voice before he sauntered into view, adjusting the sleeves of his pale green button-down, his tie the same burnished gold satin as his twin brother’s. “We’re going to make the best of this shit show, one way or another.”
I sniffled back a few tears as Monty leaned forward to peck a kiss onto my lips.
“You boys about ready to go?” Clayton called as he appeared from the bottom of the stairwell in his well-cut gray suit, a white felt Stetson held carefully in his big hands, his black and silver hair slicked back with pomade, his strong jaw clean- shaven.
Even with all the stress, I couldn’t help but notice just how good all the boys, especially Clayton, looked with a bit of cleaning up.
His arms still around me, Dakota gave a loud sniff. “Phew! Smells like maybe we should get dressed up a little more often—Piper’s cranking out more perfume than a department store beauty counter!” Dakota razzed, giving my bottom a playful, sneaky squeeze.
Clay’s nostrils flared as he caught wind of my scent, a frisky smile curling the corners of his lips. “I’m sure that there will be plenty oftensionfor us all to work off later.” He gave a knowing wink before leaning in to kiss me. “Just take it easy while we’re out, duchess.” Clay reached forward to tuck a lock of my hair behind my ear before drifting over to lift Maisie up and out of her high chair to give her a big hug and kiss before he and the boys got on their way.
“Daddy, are you gonna be home soon?” Maisie asked innocently as Clay pressed a cluster of kisses to her chubby little cheek.
“Sure will, baby. We’re going to order pizzas and watch cartoons on the couch tonight, okay?” He spun her through the air before passing her to Montana so that he could give her a goodbye hug and kiss. “Did the guys tell you about the video conference link?” he asked in a lowered voice as Montana and Dakota covered Maisie’s face in loud smacking kisses while she squealed with delight.
“Yeah, I’m gonna watch with headphones once it gets started,” I confirmed quietly, nodding to the laptop charging on the kitchen counter. “If I had to just sit here and wait until you came home, I’d probably lose my damn mind. But after seeing Pack Adamar at Evelyn’s the other day…I know that I couldn’t handle being in that room with them again, either.” I shuddered.
“Don’t you waste another thought on those scumbags.” Clay dismissed the thought with the sweep of his thumb over the high curve of my cheekbone. “We’ll take care of everything.”
“Just kick back and try to relax with Maisie, and we’ll be home before you know it,” Montana reassured me as the boys began to shuffle for the door.
It dawned on me that I hadn’t gotten a comforting smooch from Zeke—nor had I been treated to the sight of him in his suit and tie.
“Where’s Zeke?” I asked as Montana, Dakota, and Clay shrugged into their suit jackets and helped one another adjust their ties.
