Page 98 of Lick

I bite my lip, unsure. Kendrick spent longer in the NICU than we anticipated, thanks to an infection, but now he’s been given the all-clear. And after a couple of weeks of hiding out just the three of us, people are desperate to see him. He’s a healthy and happy little boy now by all accounts. Still, I’m not sure the clubhouse is the best place for him.

“Come on. You know I won’t let anything happen to him.”

I sigh and give in. “Alright, better warn the guys, though, because if they traumatize any of my kids, I’ll be forced to bring out my fists of fury again.”

He roars with laughter. “Noted. Don’t be long.”

“Yes, sir.” I hang up and shove my phone in my pocket before scooping up Kendrick and swaying him from side to side. “What do you say, little man? Want to go and visit grandpop and all your uncles?”

He lets out a cute little noise that makes me smile.

“I’ll take that as a yes, huh? We’d better go and make sure your brother and sister are being nice to your daddy first. I’d hate to have to ground them for messing with the man I love.”

When I get to the bottom of the stairs, I walk into the living room and find them all standing there watching me. “What?”

Lick points to the monitor at his waist.

“Crap. I forgot about that.”

“So, you love him, huh?” Danny asks, folding his arms over his chest.

My eyes stray to Lick. “I do. I love you. I never stopped, even when I really wanted to.”

He stalks towards me, sliding his hand into my hair. “You just made me the happiest man on the planet. I love you, I love him, and I love us. I couldn’t do this with anyone but you. You’re…everything Em. I’m nothing without you.”

“Swoon,” Sophie whispers.

Danny sighs. “Nobody says, ‘swoon,’ Soph.”

Lick grins before he dips his head and kisses me gently.

“Okay, that’s enough of that. Give me my brother before you scar him for life.” Danny stomps over and eases Kendrick from my arms. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you, bro,” he murmurs to Kendrick as he lays him over his shoulder. He steps to walk away before he stops and faces Lick.

“I get it now. Seeing you and my mum together. I see now what was missing before. I’m happy she’s happy. But if you hurt her, I’ll smash that pretty little bike of yours until it’s nothing but dust.”

“Danny!”

“No, it’s okay. I understand, and I have no intention of hurting her again. I promise.”

“Good,” Danny says gruffly before walking away.

Sophie practically skips over. I swear, sometimes she’s twenty-four going on fourteen.

“My brother can be intense,” she tells Lick.

“That’s okay, so can I. Wait until you meet my brothers.”

“Ooh, yes, we’re going right?”

I forgot they would have heard that, too.

I nod. “If you’re up for it, sure. Know that your dad won’t be happy about it.”

“That sounds like his problem, not mine.” She shrugs. She leans over and hugs a surprised Lick. “Welcome to the family. Don’t worry, I’m not going to threaten your bike,” she says as she pulls back, her smile slipping from her face. “Because if you hurt her, a broken bike will be the least of your worries. She has cried a lifetime of tears. You make her shed any more, and there won’t be enough of you left to use that wheelchair of yours.” She taps his cheek and skips off to the kitchen. “Hold up, Danny, I’ll help.”

Lick turns to me. My mouth is open in shock, but he looks amused. “I really like your kids.”

“They’re insane.”