Page 28 of Oathbreaker

But plain words that say far too much.

His hand tightens around mine. “I’m fine, baby.”

My throat goes tight, and I nod.

“So, you were stalking us,” Royal points out.

“I’m a spy, it’s what I do.” Half of Colt’s mouth curves and my heart rolls over in my chest—another glimpse of the Colt of old. “Now I’m here, Banks has a fucking kid, Royal’s marrying a country singer, Dash a movie star, and Atlas has a goddamned girlfriend.”

“Believe me,” Royal says. “None of us saw the girls coming.”

“Maybe not,” Banks agree. “Still the best shit of my life.”

“Somehow I don’t think the girls are going to enjoy being called shit,” I warn him.

He flashes a smile at me. “I don’t know if you know this, but Aspen kind of likes me.”

Royal tosses a pillow at him. “Don’t know why.”

“Asshole,” Banks mutters, throwing it back.

Then the conversation turns to the old days and catching up on the new ones. I slip my hand from Colt’s and walk into the kitchen.

Then take a moment to finally breathe easily.

The worst is over.

Now we can move forward.

“I’m going to go.”

My head jerks up and I see West standing in the doorway.

Oh, my God. West.

I forgot him again.

I’m such a shit person.

“Walk me out?” he asks softly.

And God, after all the rest of it, how can I not give him that?

It’s not until we’re next to his car that he says, “That’s Frankie's father, isn’t it?”

My mouth falls open. “How’d you?—?”

“It’s the eyes, sweetheart,” he says gently. “Does he know?”

“Not yet,” I whisper. “I know I need to tell him. I just…”

“Things have been a little nuts?” He touches the backs of his knuckles to my cheek. “Yeah, babe. I’d say they have.”

“I’m sorry,” I murmur, dropping my head to his chest. “I know this is a mess.”

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

I’m not so sure of that.