Page 29 of Oathbreaker

But I don’t say anything, just lean against him and let him hold me tightly.

It’s not until long moments later that he speaks.

And his words have the guilt slicing deeper.

“Do you want me to skip the road trip?”

“No. But thank you,” I lift up, and though part of me feels awkward (or maybe it’s that part of me feels wrong doing it), I brush my lips over his.

But when I drop down to my heels, I can see some of the tension has left him.

Not me though.

Because…

“I need to sort this out on my own.”

Ten

Colt

Watching Briar walk West out to his car is almost more than I can stand. I think I’d rather have ten beatings than see the woman I love with someone else, but it’s not her fault. He seems to care about her, treat her well, and I know damn well the guys wouldn’t let her date him if he wasn’t a good guy.

Too bad he’s with my woman.

There’s no universe where I don't move heaven and earth to win her back. It’s just going to take some time.

“Let’s get pizza,” Banks says after a moment. “I don’t think Briar is up to cooking.”

“Yeah, pizza’s a good idea.” I nod, watching as he pulls out his phone, starts typing, and then puts it away without asking any of us anything.

Because he knows what everyone likes.

“Pizza will be here in fifteen,” he says. “I hope you still like those disgusting little fish.”

“Anchovies require a mature palate,” I say primly.

He snorts. “That’s probably the only mature part of you.”

I chuckle but it’s not as funny now. Me being the jokester, the guy always causing trouble, the one nobody takes seriously.

“So, uh, you want to meet Maisie?” Banks asks quietly.

Maisie.

His wife? No, that’s Aspen. Maisie must be the baby.

“Well, yeah.” I nod.

“Let me go get her.”

While he does that, the rest of us head outside to a sprawling back patio, settling on the various chairs and couches. They obviously spend a lot of time out here, and I smile, because this suits Briar’s personality well. She’s a caregiver. She fell into that role as the only girl in our little family, and that much, at least, hasn’t changed.

Banks is back a minute later with a squirming little bundle in his arms—and promptly hands her over to me.

When was the last time I held an infant? I can’t even remember. I don’t do babies. Well, I made one, I guess, but I missed her whole life. Four long years of my daughter’s life. Never held her like this. Never comforted her when she cried or laughed when she giggled or?—

Maisie looks up at me with eyes that are a cloudy blue color, curious but not afraid.