Page 90 of Monk

Lina fit into this world like she’d always been meant for it. She laughed with the brothers’ ol’ ladies. She teased Blackjack without a second thought. She held Vivi’s hand when Vivi got emotional talking about Pence. She washere—in my world, inourworld—and she wasn’t running. She wasn’t looking forthe nearest exit or bracing for the blow. She was simply here, standing in the middle of my life like she’d finally come home.

“It’s a wonderful feeling, isn’t it?”

I turned and found Kansas walking toward me with his son Tulsa asleep in his arms. Tulsa was small—almost eighteen months old—with dark hair and his father’s strong features already stamped across his face. He was curled against Kansas’ chest the same way Tatum was curled against mine, one little fist tangled in Kansas’ cut like, even in sleep, he needed to make sure his old man was still there.

Kansas stopped beside me, his gaze dropping to his son’s face. “Fatherhood,” he said quietly, like the word itself carried weight. “It’s a hell of a thing.”

I nodded, but the truth was, I still couldn’t find words big enough for what was moving through me.

Kansas glanced at me, his expression knowing. “You don’t have to say anything,” he said. “I get it.”

I swallowed hard, my throat tightening. “I didn’t think—” I started, then broke off, because I didn’t even know how to finish that sentence without sounding wrecked.

Kansas waited me out, patient and silent.

“I didn’t think I’d ever have this,” I said finally, my voice rough enough to scrape. “I thought I’d lost my chance before I even knew it was gone.”

Kansas nodded slowly. “But you didn’t,” he said. “She’s here. And so is your daughter.”

I looked down at Tatum, my chest aching with something too tender to name. “I don’t know how to do this,” I admitted. “I don’t know how to be a father.”

Kansas chuckled under his breath. “None of us do,” he said. “We just figure it out as we go.”

He shifted Tulsa’s weight and cradled the back of his son’s head with a gentleness that would’ve looked impossible on aman like him if I hadn’t just witnessed it. “But I’ll tell you this,” Kansas continued, his voice turning serious. “The moment you hold them for the first time, everything changes. You stop being just a man. You become something more.”

I met his gaze.

“You become a protector,” Kansas said. “A provider. The kind of man who would burn the whole damn world down just to keep them safe.”

I nodded, the truth of his words settling deep in my bones. “Yeah,” I said quietly. “Yeah, I would.”

Kansas smiled, like he already knew that answer. “We’re taking the kids across the street to the penthouse,” he said. “Mrs. Worthington said she’d be happy to watch Tatum if you and Lina want to stay.”

I looked at him, my stomach tightening. “Stay?” I repeated.

Kansas’ smile widened. “Yeah, brother,” he said. “Stay. Enjoy the rest of the barbeque. Spend time with your woman.” He paused, and when he spoke again, there was a knowing edge to his voice. “Claim her,” he said. “Officially.”

My heart slammed once, hard.Claim her.

I looked across the yard again, finding Lina. She was still laughing, still radiant, stillmine.And I wanted—God, I wanted to claim her in front of everyone. Wanted to put my patch on her back and tell the entire world exactly where she belonged. Wanted every man there to know she was under my protection, at my side, part of me. That she wasmine.

I looked down at Tatum, my arms tightening around her without permission, pure instinct taking over. “I don’t know if I can let her go,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Kansas’ expression softened. “I know,” he said. “It’s hard letting them out of your sight.” He shifted Tulsa again, his hand moving gently over his son’s back. “But she’ll be safe,” he said. “Ashe will die before one scratch touches her.”

I looked at him, my jaw tight. “You sure about that?”

Kansas nodded. “I’m sure,” he said. “The prospects will be guarding the penthouse. And I’ve got my place wired tight with cameras, alarms, the works.” He held my gaze, all easy humor gone now. “My kids are up there,” he said. “I wouldn’t let them go if I didn’t know they were safe.”

I exhaled slowly, feeling some of the tension in my chest loosen, even if it didn’t disappear completely. “Okay,” I replied.

Kansas clapped me on the shoulder. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s get them settled.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Monk

Kansas put two fingers in his mouth and let out a sharp, piercing whistle that cut through the noise of the barbeque like a blade.