Page 149 of Bound By Blood and Lies

Roman opens his mouth and I grab hold of his hand before squeezing it.

“Yes.”

Riggs points at Roman triumphantly before disappearing toward the downstairs bathroom muttering something about “finally earning custody rights.”

The second he’s gone Roman drops his head back against the sofa with a long exhale.

“You’re encouraging them,” he mumbles.

“I’m just letting him know he’s loved from an early age.”

Roman’s eyes flick back toward Finn curled against Atlas’ chest and something in his expression softens.

“I know,” he mutters.

The front door suddenly slams before Victor appears in the lounge looking absolutely exhausted. He takes one look at everybody before groaning dramatically and collapsing onto the sofa opposite us.

“Augh,” he mutters whilst rubbing a hand down his face. “Dad is pissing me the fuck off.”

“What’s Strickland done now?” Roman asks without taking his eyes off Finn.

“He’s decided the merger apparently can’t function unless everybody attends a six-hour meeting tomorrow.” Victor glares toward the ceiling. “Because obviously none of us have lives outside of him.”

Roman huffs out a laugh. “Should have seen him in the meeting yesterday. I thought I was going to have to call you up and say he’d died of an aneurysm.”

“Yeah?” Victor looks over at Roman. “Good fucking riddance.”

Atlas’ eyes lift toward Victor. “You don’t mean that.”

“I do. I miss school already.” Victor glances toward Atlas before finally noticing Finn. “…Can I hold the baby or is there a waiting list?”

“There’s a fucking application process,” Roman mutters.

Victor snorts just as Riggs reappears holding both hands in the air.

“Clean,” he announces proudly. “Used soap and everything.”

Roman visibly tenses as Atlas calmly stands and walks over.

“Support his head properly,” Roman says immediately.

“I know how babies work.”

“You dropped your phone in a toilet last week,” Roman deadpans.

Riggs purposely ignores Roman as Atlas passes Finn carefully into Riggs’ arms. No matter how many times they hold him they act like it’s the first time, and I have to bite my lip to stop the smile threatening to creep across my face. The second Finn settles against his chest, Riggs goes completely still.

“Oh,” he breathes quietly.

For all the blood, lies and contracts that built this family, it’s moments like this that make it feel worth it.

“Better?” I whisper as I lean into Roman.

“No,” he mutters honestly.

A laugh escapes me before I lean over and kiss him, and he chases my mouth instantly as every ounce of tension in his body melts beneath mine like he’s been waiting for it all day. His hand slides against my jaw automatically whilst he kisses me back slower this time, softer, and when I finally pull away his forehead drops briefly against mine.

“I love you,” he murmurs quietly.