Page 91 of Retribution

“If they don’t say that, I certainly will now,” he grins. “See you for breakfast tomorrow?”

“Yes, you will.”

Chapter Twenty

Alesso

“Allora, bambina,” I mutter under my breath as Leila kicks her leg out while I’m changing her diaper.

She makes a squeal coo that makes me grin as I attempt to get her diaper on correctly. God, she’s so freaking cute.

“Victory is mine,” I crow before wincing. Scooping her into my arms after fixing the snaps on her onesie, I check to see if I scared her.

Sometimes, if we’re too loud, we startle her. Instead, I find her gummy smile as I snuggle her against me and relax. It’s been five days since Lucas and Grant came back from Indianapolis, and they need to return tomorrow for a meeting.

I’m the first to agree that work is important, but I’m starting to despise it when they leave.

However, today we are moving into the “cottage” in the backyard, which means that we no longer have to deal with such a big space that’s lonely.

“It also means that you’re moving in with us,” I coo aloud to Leila.

Walking out of the living room, I head into the kitchen where everyone is congregated for breakfast. It’s not typical for us, but there’s less space surrounding Isolde and it makes her happier.

I can understand that having an exit near her makes her less twitchy, regardless of knowing that none of us will hurt her. Lucas also has a ton of security here, but no one is bulletproof.

“How long are you staying in the city?” Isolde asks, fixing a sling that’s around her to take Leila from me.

“Finish eating,topolina,” I say, shaking my head. “I’m done and don’t want to give her back.”

Isolde gives me a soft smile before nodding, and Oliver moves down the island until he’s beside me. Leila grabs his finger when he presents it to her, and Lucas replies to our omega.

“We are only staying long enough to finish my meetings. Thank fuck the lab is already made.”

“It would figure that the laboratory would be finished before the house,” I tease him.

“The house is bigger,” Lucas snorts. “The lab is the equivalent of a shed. I’m working alone, so I won’t need to worry about bumping into anyone else.”

“People are terrible,” Oliver grunts in his way of commiserating.

Grant rolls his eyes, but doesn’t deny it. “People are unfortunately part of Lucas’ job. I swear it’s the reason I have so many gray hairs.”

“I don’t see any,” Isolde says innocently, running her fingers over his shorter brown hair. “Oh wait…”

She yanks out a single strand of hair while he curses, his hands clamping over his hair while she laughs. I’ve noticed that she’s been doing that more.

No, not torturing the grumpy alpha, but laughing. I live for it. Leila releases a squeal, and I grin down at her. It doesn’t matterthat she isn’t ours by blood, she recognizes Isolde’s presence. I often see her trying to crane her little body around to find her, despite having limited control over it.

It’s hard to track milestones since we don’t know exactly when she was born. Isolde also called the biker alpha she works for to see if anyone has asked about her, but no one has.

Who doesn’t go to check on their child? Fuck me. Granted, that biker club is responsible for the fire through Isolde and an enemy, but to never go looking for your child blows my mind.

Some people don’t deserve children. I firmly believe that.

“By the way, all the paperwork has been filed, approved, and accepted through the Healthy Packs Organization,” Oliver says absently, kissing Leila’s forehead. “Digital trails have been erased, and as far as anyone else knows, Alesso or I had a baby with Isolde just before we joined the pack. Lucas’ public profile is too high for her to be his, and Grant…”

“I live up his ass,” Grant mutters as Lucas smirks.

“Not quite, but it’s certainly close enough. I’m good with that,” Lucas confirms. We decided to use my name for our official pack name, which makes an odd kind of sense.”