Page 92 of Retribution

“You’re the only one not a criminal, outside of Grant,” Oliver chuckles.

“Pack Reid does have a nice ring to it though, doesn’t it?” Lucas asks.

“So you’re all a pack,” Isolde says in awe, chewing the inside of her lip.

“That means you’re stuck with me,” Grant says. “You can kick me out of the house, throw baseball bats at me, but I’m all in.”

If his stalking her for the past month didn’t make that quite clear, I don’t know what else could.

“I think I enjoy fighting with you,” she mutters. “Okay, ah, we have a slight problem.”

“Go on,” Oliver says, brow raised.

“Leila's getting sleepy, can I borrow your ring thing, please?” I ask. “I don’t know how to use it, but her neck doesn’t flop over as much when she’s sleeping in it.”

Isolde looks surprised, but stands with a nod, pulling the sling up and over her head.

“It keeps her warm too,” she says.

“Are you excited to move in with us finally?” Oliver asks. “I want the biggest fucking bed that’ll fit in a room, please and thank you.”

“Leila still doesn’t like to sleep alone,” Isolde sighs. “The little side bed I attached to the bed only works half the time.”

“Oh no, I have to take turns sleeping with this little angel, I’m so sad,” Oliver snorts, watching as Isolde manhandles me to fix the ring sling on my body.

I know what it’s called, but I also enjoy flubbing its name.

“You’re already so head over heels over this baby,” she says, unable to stop smiling.

“I’ve never much thought about babies with my profession,” Oliver admits. “I piss people off for a living, and I work with sensitive information. I hate babies on planes, but I adore this baby.”

“Would you, um, want more?” Isolde asks, swallowing hard.

“Only if it’s meant to be,” he says firmly, and we all nod.

“Blood doesn’t always mean family,” Grant says, surprising me. “I’ve stood through a lot with Lucas, and I’m with him a lot more often than my family.”

“I set his payments to auto schedule because he’s not allowed to leave me,” Lucas shrugs. “I need someone who isn’t fucking scared to get fired for saying the wrong thing.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” Grant smirks. “I get away with too much as it is. Knowing I can’t get fired? Goddamn, that’s like my birthday and Christmas all wrapped together.”

“You’re ridiculous,” Lucas grumbles. “Isolde, you and I have slept perfectly well together with Leila. I don’t think anyone else will mind. She’ll only be this little for a season. Soak it in.”

See? No one gives a shit that we’ve stolen our littlebambina. Whoever her father was, is crispier than fried chicken, and the mom is MIA. Pah! She doesn’t deserve this sweet girl.

We do, and now that’s what she is. Ours. We aren’t good people, but Leila will never want for love or attention.

“I started shopping, but I haven’t looked at mattresses yet. Oliver, if you want to go by the house and measure the room, you’re welcome to,” Isolde says, rolling her eyes as she adjusts the straps around my chest until Leila is comfortable and so am I.

“I don’t have to walk very far,” Oliver chuckles. “If you want to tell me what you want for your nest in the loft, I can order that as well. Or, we can go to the nest store downtown together.”

“There’s a store for that?” Isolde asks before shaking her head. “That’s kind of what I need to talk to you about before I get sidetracked, but I do want to go there.”

“No more side comments from the peanut gallery,” Lucas promises, pretending to lock up his lips.

Isolde smirks before getting really solemn.

“My heat. I am wearing extra heavy duty panties. Trust me, they aren’t cute,” she grumbles.