Page 122 of Ruthless Enforcer

The room goes silent.

Luke’s the one to say it. “Holy shit.”

And then everyone starts talking at once, giving their opinions on what we need to do next.

Emma starts laughing.

I stare at my wife, at my family, and at the absolute fucking circus my life has become.

Then I scoop Emma into my arms.

She loops hers around my neck. “Jake.”

“I’ve got you.”

“I can walk,” she says as I carry her out of the kitchen.

“Not a chance.”

Her head drops against my shoulder. “You ready for this?”

No. Absolutely fucking not. I kiss her forehead. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world, sweetheart.”

Turns out the life I never saw coming is the only one I need.

80

LUKE

FOUR YEARS LATER

There are ten people inside the main house of Blackthorn Ranch, three children, three dogs, and a Christmas tree that’s leaning noticeably to the left. Somebody put a candy cane in my beer.

I fucking love Christmas.

“Uncle Luke!” Jake’s kid Sadie runs into my legs. She holds up two bobby pins triumphantly.

I crouch down to meet her eyes. She’s got her daddy’s eyes—icy blue with icy determination. Poor kid never stood a chance. “Did you do it?” I ask.

She nods, looking very pleased with herself.

“Good girl.” I put my palm out so she can high-five me.

“Luke.”

I glance up to see Harper standing in the kitchen doorway, her arms crossed. She’s developed a sixth sense for fun. It’s really unfortunate. “Yes, Officer Hot Stuff?”

Her beautiful eyes narrow. “Why does Sadie have bobby pins?”

Fuck—all these years and still when she looks at me like that, I want to be extra bad so she cuffs me. “No idea.”

The little traitor waves them around proudly. “Uncle Luke is teaching me to open locks.”

My wife gapes at me. “You’re teaching the kid to pick locks?”

I shrug. “Life skills, babe.”

Harper closes her eyes.