Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 99413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
The protective mother in me is struggling with this. I’m ready for war over mine. Then there is the therapist in me who wants to hand my son all the tools he needs to be independent so he can become his own man someday.
“Girl, if this is what he has to do, he will be ready. There isn’t nann one of us in that baby’s life who’s going to leave him unprepared. Let them come. My nephew will paint the walls with their blood and stand on their bones,” Dean says as if in promise.
“Facts,” Val sings. “And I’ll teach him how to make a wallet out of their skin.”
I point at her. “I’m going to have a talk with you, Misha, and your little family of psychos. I’m drawing the line with the souvenirs.”
“You can’t be serious. You do know your husband is a collector and has gilded boxes made for his collection,” Roni deadpans.
“Like, the man sends people pieces of their family members as warnings,” Val says.
“I’m going to talk to him too. God, what’s wrong with you people?” I groan while trying to hide my smile.
“Whatever,” Roni, Val, and Dean say in unison.
“I’m here for whatever he needs. You know Mum is down to teach him. He should train with all of us,” DJ says.
I look at the women I’ve come to know as my sisters. I know they all would go to war for Sammy just as I would. That’s something I know LaSalle and I will never have to worry about.
“Hold on. I want to go back to that baby being a little Dr. Strange on his way to becoming John Wick. Is that what you’re telling me?” Pam says incredulously.
I can’t help but laugh as the others snicker with me. I will forever be grateful for Pam and her ability to read a room and shift the atmosphere. Her words cut through the tension in the air and lighten the mood instantly.
“There she is,” Ronan croons to his son in his arms.
I swear Dean had nothing to do with that boy. He looks like Ronan spit him out and asked her to be his mother after. If not for the tan to his skin, you wouldn’t think Dean had anything to do with him other than that red hair that he could have gotten from his father as much as his mother.
He definitely got some of both their tempers. That little boy knows how to throw a fit when he’s pissed. That is as long as his parents aren’t around. If Ronan or Dean are in the room, he would never.
I love the little snicker though. Danny is adorable with the cutest smile ever. I can’t blame the two for trying for another. They make gorgeous babies, and Ronan loves Dean and Danny something fierce.
Touch that woman or his son and he turns into a straight demon. Cass has a soft spot for her little nephew too. If he can’t get his way, Auntie Cass is the first person he goes running to.
“What’s up? You two okay?” Dean asks as she turns to find her husband and son looking for her.
“I’m trying to figure out where all these kids came from. Ach, I feel like I run into at least two every time I turn around. I don’t trust this one to stay out of trouble if I don’t have my eyes on him.
“I need to go to the jacks. Can you take him for a minute?” Ronan says.
“Give me my little man,” I coo and round the kitchen island to take Danny from his hold. “Hey, handsome. I’ve missed you. They sent you to Ireland, away from me. How could they?”
I pout as I give him a squeeze. He cups my face with his little hands and kisses my nose. See, a sweetheart when he wants to be.
I know Laoise spoiled the mess out of him while she had him in Ireland. He spent a month and a half with his grandma and grandpa. It only took a week before Dean and Ronan followed to be there with him.
“Mo-mo,” he squeals and nuzzles my cheek with his cute little nose.
Okay, he did get Dean’s nose, but it pretty much ends there. I don’t miss that his mother disappears at his father’s side as I hold him in my arms. I shake my head, knowing I’m not going to see my girl for a bit.
We all do it. If there’s a moment we can steal, we take it. We all trust each other and understand.
The girls and I get lost in talk about the kids and our plans for the week. Some of our out-of-town guests will be around for a few extra days, so we make plans to have a couple of outings with them before they’re gone. I stand rocking and swaying with Danny in my arms the entire time.