Page 70 of Property of Max
“Until the house is ready,” I continue, “we’ll take the time to get to know each other. I want Bree and Micah to know me just as much as I want to know them. I want to learn everything about all three of you. Just know…I’ll be staying with you in themeantime. There’s no way in hell I can leave you alone right now.”
“I guess that could work,” Lila says softly. “Then the kids could get used to the idea of us moving in with you.”
“We’re moving in with Max?” Bree shouts from Skip’s arms. “I mean…with my new daddy? Wait…are you my new daddy?”
Smiling, I lean in, kiss Lila, then help her off my lap and walk over to Bree.
“Only if that’s alright with you,” I say, taking her small hands in mine.
“Heck yeah,” she says, grinning. “Micah will be happy, too. He likes that you make Mama happy.”
“Good,” I smile, kissing her forehead. “Now, why are you out of bed?”
“Because Uncle Skip said if I picked him as my favorite uncle, he’d carry me around like a princess forever.”
“I see.” I glance at Skip, who’s standing there with a bold, unashamed grin.
“But don’t tell him,” Bree stage-whispers so loudly everyone hears. “Uncle Micah will always be my favorite.”
The men laugh as Skip parades Bree around the room like he's her personal throne, her small hands raised like a queen being carried through her court. The sound of her giggles fills every corner, softening the hard edges of the day. The doctors have her on enough pain medication that I know she doesn’t feel anything. The fact that she’s still awake shocks me, though.
I walk back to Lila and pull her into my arms, tucking her against me until the noise fades.
“I do love you, baby,” I murmur, just for her ears. “I don’t understand how it happened so fast, but I’m not going to question it. Definitely not going to fight it. Just know that you’re mine. You, Bree, Micah. All mine.”
The truth of my words settles deep, heavier than a vow, warm as a heartbeat. Not long ago, I’d felt like an outsider. Like I didn’t belong, like I wasn’t worthy of being here. My brothers proved me wrong. They reminded me I’m still a Shadow. Still family.
Then I met Lila. And everything clicked into place.
I do belong.
I belong right here.
Chapter Nineteen
Lila
Life is good.
When we first moved inside the compound, I thought it would feel like a prison…walls closing in, freedom gone. But it’s the complete opposite. I’ve never felt more free.
Bree’s thriving at the private school half an hour away. She comes home each day so excited to tell me what she’s learned.
Micah is out and about every day, always off with someone. Tank showing him bikes, Skip sneaking him snacks, Spike showing him the ins and outs of club life. Which I wasn’t too happy about, but Micah loves it, so I let it go.
The men even brought in a nurse for several weeks to teach them all how to care for Micah properly. I’ve never ugly cried as hard as I did the day I found out.
Micah loves it here. He still grumbles that he hasn’t beaten Foster at chess, but he challenges him every single day, anyway.
And me? I’ve never been happier. Never more in love.
Max proves every single day that he meant what he said about wanting us as a family. He shows up, he’s present, and he’s steady. It took time for us to really know each other on a personal level…to see each other’s scars and habits and small, quiet truths…but even that can’t eclipse the connection we’ve had from the very beginning.
Even now, the clubhouse swarms with our family here to celebrate my birthday. Never has anyone thrown me a party since I was a little girl.
I never thought birthdays could feel like this.
The clubhouse is full. Laughter echoes off the buildings, the smell of grilled food drifting around the air, music humming low in the background. Balloons are taped to the doorways, notperfect or fancy, but clearly done with love. Bree helped the girls decorate, and judging by the crooked streamers, she was in charge.
