Page 113 of F*ck Steal Kill

“You’re here, Hols!”

“Of course. I’m excited to meet them,” I said, kissing her cheek. I loved seeing Joy this happy. She was the brightest and most joyful person I knew, and I wanted her to have people who appreciated it.

“I have news,” she said, beaming. “But it looks like I’m not the only one.” She jumped down, and we turned together as Lacey walked up the sidewalk, two Shadows behind her and one holding her hand.

“Do my eyes deceive me, or is Lacey holding hands?” I gasped.

“Oh, good. You see it, too. I was worried I’d smoked too much weed this morning.” Joy giggled before pouting. “Damn. I thought moving in with my married couple and their best friend and trying for a baby would be the day’s biggest news.”

“What?” Lacey and I shouted together, our eyes wide as we stared at our best friend in shock.

“Best friend?” Lacey stuttered.

“Baby?” I added, raising my brows.

Joy nodded, smiling as she swayed side to side, not giving us a clear answer. “You hungry?”

“I brought muffins,” Lacey mumbled, pointing to the container Henry held.

“Hi, Henry,” I said, liking the quiet man.

“Good morning, ma’am,” he said, his southern accent warm and soft.

“Back off, Grigson,” Quentin muttered, wrapping his arm around me possessively as he scowled.

“He just said hello,” I sighed, letting Q pull me to him.

“Ryan,” Grady said, nodding. “Heath. I guess it’s time to lay down the competitiveness between us. Our women are best friends, so we’ll always be in each other’s lives now.”

“No need to lay anything down, Grady. Consider it our foreplay,” Ryan chuckled, slapping him on the shoulder as they headed into the house.

“I’m beginning to regret inviting you,” Lacey mumbled, Henry and Heath wrapping their arms around her as they moved inside.

Squeezing Max’s hand, we walked in with Q, closing the door behind us, and followed the noise into the kitchen, where we met James, Mallory, and Tyler.

Despite being shocked by Joy’s news, it was apparent how much they all cared for each other. They were the only ones here not in the business, which oddly made it enjoyable. I wanted Joy to have something away from the Shadows. She was too bright to be kept hidden. Plus, she’d be the best mom. It didn’t hurt that it would also keep her more on the sidelines.

Lacey gave me a look, one I knew well. This was good for Joy, so we’d support her and buy her all the baby shit she needed.

But we’d draw the lines at diaper changing. She had three lovers; they could figure that shit out themselves. Literally.

As I watched my two best friends and all of our lovers mingle together, I had a weird sensation blooming in my chest. Rubbing my heart, my brows furrowed as I concentrated on the feeling.

“How do you feel about a baby?” Grady asked.

“Don’t even think about it.” I rolled my eyes as he laughed, but it helped the feeling lessen.

“You love them. Your lives may go in different directions, but it doesn’t mean you’ll grow apart. You three are intertwined forever. There’s not one without the other two, even if that’s with a little distance as you make your own families.”

“You’re very wise, Grady,” I whispered, kissing his cheek.

“I’m only reporting on what I observed. You three, it’s one of the most real connections I’ve ever seen. Nothing will break that. Hell, murder didn’t even crack it, so a baby won’t.” He lifted his brows, making me smile. I knew he was right. What the three of us had went beyond words.

“Thanks.” He wrapped his arms around me, hugging me to him.

“So, does this mean we could convince you to officially move in now?” he teased.

“Maybe.” Smiling, I pulled him along as we filled our plates, talking with Joy’s lovers like the rest of us weren’t cold-blooded killers as we shared brunch.

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