Page 75 of Breakaway

“Let me help you, minha luz,” Raiden purrs, the endearment rolling off his tongue deliciously. I inhale sharply when he kisses the exposed part of my spine, my eyes closing as his breath fans across my skin. I barely register my zipper closing. “My sister is joining us today, but she’s promised to be on her best behavior.” He winks, instantly easing the worry that began to creep in. Our first encounter wasn’t the greatest, but neither of us was expecting the other when I opened the door that day. As far as I’m concerned, we’ve yet to meet officially.

“Does she know?” I question, biting my lip nervously. He doesn’t need me to explain, already knowing where my thoughts have taken me.

“Yes,” he answers unashamedly, moving around to face me. “You’re not a secret I intend to keep for very long, minha luz. I’m proud to be yours.” I melt at hearing his sweet words, but I know it’s not as simple as that.

“I don’t think Col wants this,” I whisper, my eyes welling with tears as I finally give voice to what’s been plaguing me since yesterday. Deep down, I know what his decision will be, and if I think about it for very long, my heart’s in danger of being shredded to ribbons.

“Let’s not count him out just yet,” Raiden insists, but the grim set of his mouth is telling. “Let’s get going before Briggs sends out a search party.” He smiles, trying to lighten the mood, then takes my hand and leads me towards the door where Briggs and Dayton are waiting patiently. They’re both dressed in jeans and collared shirts. Between them, holding each of their fingers, I find Hudson, dressed similarly and looking far too adult for his little body.

“Oh my goodness, look how handsome you are!” I gush, bending to pepper his cheek with kisses.

“Thank you,” Briggs jests, smoothing down the front of his shirt. “I clean up quite nice, don’t I?” I roll my eyes, kissing his cheek as well.

“So nice,” I exaggerate, rounding my eyes dramatically.

“Careful,” Briggs growls, playfully swatting my ass when I turn my attention to Dayton.

“You look very nice as well,” I add with a smile, enjoying the way his irritation begins to fester at being left out. Narrowing his eyes, he points a single finger to his cheek and taps it. When I turn to leave without doing his bidding, he twirls me back around and slams his lips against mine. My gasp gives him the perfect opening for his tongue to delve inside. A moan slips out of me against my will, but the clearing of Raiden’s throat shatters the moment. Shame floods me when I realize how carried away we’d gotten, completely forgetting we aren’t alone. Thankfully, Hudson is paying us no attention, too focused on the crackers Briggs has given him.

“Maybe we can table the PDA until we’ve had that talk, yeah?” Raiden suggests, forever the voice of reason.

“Speak for yourself,” Briggs mutters. “That was hot as fuck.” He pointedly grips his dick and rearranges it, his eyes simmering with desire.

“Fuht!” Hudson mimics, clapping his hands excitedly. I gasp, pointing an accusing finger at Briggs.

“You just taught him a curse word!” I screech.

“The hell I did!” Briggs fires back, pointing his own finger at Raiden and dropping yet another word he shouldn’t. “He taught him that days ago, Angel. So it’s his fault, not mine,” he insists. I stare at Raiden, waiting for an explanation, but his pinched look of confusion only frustrates me more.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Briggs,” Raiden states, his face the picture of innocence.

“Oh, you little liar,” Briggs sputters indignantly. “Just remember, payback’s a bi…” he stops abruptly, remembering the little ears that are present. “Let’s get out of here, Huddy Buddy.” He scoops Hudson into his arms, glaring at Raiden over his shoulder. “There’s a traitor in our midst.” I smile, shaking my head at his antics.

As we head across the courtyard, the scent of frying meat reaches us, making my stomach growl appreciatively despite having breakfast just an hour ago. Colsen and Roy come into view a moment later, their backs to us as they stand over a cooker I’m not familiar with.

“Not this again,” Briggs groans dramatically. “Did the two of you not learn your lesson last year?” Col turns, our eyes meeting briefly before he waves off Briggs’ worry.

“We’ve got it figured out this time,” Col insists.

“That’s exactly what you said last year when you ended up with second-degree burns,” Briggs deadpans.

“As I was saying, we’ve learned from our mistakes.” Col crosses his arms over his chest, refusing to back down.

“You’ll be eating those words within the hour when you’re begging me to patch up the boo-boo you get,” Briggs snarks, shaking his head in exasperation.

“I’m confused as to what’s happening right now,” I interrupt, hoping for a morsel of context.

“Col and Royce have decided that they’re going to perfect the art of deep frying a turkey, regardless of how long it takes them,” Dayton explains, but Col doesn’t even glance in his direction when he speaks.

“Or the numerous birds that have died in vain, their charred carcasses tossed in the trash after every failure,” Briggs tacks on.

“Oh, quit your blubberin’, boy,” Roy scolds, the jeans and button-up he’s sporting a drastic step down from his typical attire. “Just you wait, we’ll prove the both of you wrong. And when you’re eating the juiciest turkey you’ve ever tasted, remember who cooked it.” He turns his nose up at their lack of faith, and I press my lips together to keep from outright laughing at their petty squabbling.

“On that note, I’ll be heading inside to offer my assistance to Rita.” I hug Roy as I pass them, then quickly squeeze Col’s forearm, refusing to linger too long in fear of him rejecting my touch.

As I swing the door open, the most delicious scents assault my senses, and I immediately decide that Thanksgiving is my new favorite holiday. It’s a pregnant woman’s wet dream. Rita’s behind the stove, an apron covering her front as she stirs something distractedly, splitting her attention between the pot and Mia. Just as gorgeous as the first time I saw her, Raiden’s sister is dressed to the nines, making me feel like a hobbit in comparison. Noticing my arrival, Rita waves me over, her welcoming smile settling the nervous energy coursing through my body.

“Andi, love!” Rita exclaims, abandoning her cooking to wrap me in a comforting hug. “How are you feeling? It’s almost time, yes?” Her chocolate colored eyes are lit with excitement, the prospect of a tiny baby making her downright giddy.