Page 43 of Laced With Secrets

“That’s how I provide for the people I care about,” Blake said, his voice quieter now. “I don’t know how to do it any other way.”

The admission, so simple and vulnerable beneath its practical framing, made me pause. Blake wasn’t arguing that he deserved this—he was admitting to the only language he knew for expressing care.

Penny seemed to catch it too, because his expression softened. “Blake…”

“I’m not saying you shouldn’t be involved,” Blake continued carefully. “You’re Leo’s best friend. But I can offer things you can’t—financial security, legal resources, protection.”

“And I could ensure this child knew they were loved,” Penny countered, but his voice had lost its sharp edge. “That they had someone to talk to about feelings.”

“The child would need both,” Jake said quietly, and everyone turned to look at him. He flushed slightly but continued. “Why does it have to be one or the other?”

“It doesn’t,” I said, cutting through the tension. “You can both be godfathers.”

“Both?” Penny and Blake said simultaneously.

“Both,” Dominic confirmed, his arm sliding around my shoulders. “Our child will need everything you’re both offering.”

“I suppose that’s… acceptable,” Blake said slowly, though something in his expression had eased.

“I can work with that,” Penny agreed, then pointed at Blake. “But I get to plan the baby shower.”

“Fine. But I’m handling the trust fund.”

“Of course you are,” Penny muttered, but he was smiling now.

Jake laughed—actually laughed—the sound startling due to it rarity. “This kid is going to have the weirdest childhood ever.”

“But he or she will be loved,” I added, looking around the table at these people who’d somehow become family.

“Yeah,” Penny said softly, his scent turning warm and happy. “And from now on, we stop talking about murders and mob bosses. The pregnant omega needs happy thoughts.”

We spent the next hour cleaning up dinner and talking about lighter things—possible names, nursery themes. Penny immediately started planning a baby shower while Blake made notes about security adjustments.

Jake mostly listened, contributing occasionally but seeming content to be part of the warmth. The color had returned to his face.

Eventually, Blake declared that he intended to turn in for the night and disappeared into his bedroom with his tablet. Penny retreated to his guest room after hugging me for a solid minute. Jake followed after Penny, looking less haunted than when he’d first joined us.

Which left me and Dominic alone in the living room.

“We should look at the apartment,” I said, breaking the comfortable silence. “The one you mentioned. I want to see it.”

Dominic looked up from scrolling on his phone, surprise and pleasure crossing his features. “Now?”

“Right now.” I moved toward him, placing my hands on his chest. “I want to see it.”

“Okay,” he said. “Let me text Marcus.”

Ten minutes later, we were in the elevator heading to the twenty-fourth floor. Dominic pulled a plastic keycard from the leather messenger bag slung across his broad shoulder and held it up between two fingers.

“It’s three bedrooms,” he said as the numbers climbed. “Open floor plan, floor-to-ceiling windows. One of the bedrooms would be perfect for a nursery.”

The elevator dinged. Dominic led me down a carpeted hallway to the unit, using the keycard to unlock the door.

“It’s empty right now,” he said as he pushed it open. “We’d need to furnish it, but?—”

He stopped talking as I walked past him into the space.

It was beautiful.