Page 292 of Second Sets Omnibus

“You talked to the lawyer?” He gently squeezes my shoulder again, dropping his hands.

“Yeah. Talked to him earlier about applying for custody. He says we have a really good chance since we’re the brothers, and no one else in the family would volunteer. So, we probably won’t have a fight on our hands. It helps we’re financially secure and can prove we’ve been taking care of her, anyway.”

“Thanks, Asher. I don’t think I could have gone through with this…with anyone else.”

“What are brothers for?” he asks as a smile pulls at the edge of his lips.

“Brothers,” I hum, clapping him on the shoulder. “How about we get this baby home? We’ve got lots to plan for.”

“Plan for?” Lyric asks, staring between us.

“Yup!” I say, picking her up from the bench. “Let’s go home.”

Together. As a whole fucking family. No more Gloria. No more stalkers. It’s just us rebuilding what we had before into something bigger and better.

This is our future.

The sun beats down,warming us on one of the last September days. September 29th. The most special day in history. On this day, five years ago, I was blessed with the most beautiful surprise. My baby girl. The one being who majorly helped me through my depression and rage. It’s because of her that I’m living.

Every morning, she brings a smile to my face. Every question she asks or piece of vital information she thinks I need brings joy to my life.

This is where I’m meant to be. Right here. Right now. At Lyric’s ultimate unicorn dream.

The boys really came through when they promised they’d rent out the entire East Point Amusement Park. With little to no bribing, they were able to procure it for us at the last minute. Although the bastards refuse to tell me how much it cost them. Stating they were paying for the entire thing, and that I had better just smile and take it like a good girl.

Okay, that last part may have been during one of our few sessions in the bedroom. I may have thrown out the whole going slow thing, because it’s not really working out for me. I’ve never been one to hold myself back from what I want. Or what my body craves.

My heart soars with what they’ve done for Ly already. And for me. They’re proving themselves over and over again. Making me proud to have forgiven them completely and given them a much-needed second chance.

We’ve been happier than ever, figuring out our new life together. Slowly, of course. I’d never jump into this without caution. Only idiots repeat their mistakes.

Happy children’s laughter echoes through the festive air only amping up at the promise of cake amusement park rides later. Family and friends gather around in large circles, catching up with soft drinks in their hands. As the kids play in a circle in front of us with glee.

Nothing beats today.

“You invited your mafia sister?” Rad hisses, not so discreetly staring at my sister, Journey, with wide eyes.

I snort, stepping into his side with a shake of my head. The four of us stand in a little circle on the blacktop, watching the chaos unfold.

The moment my brothers tracked each of us down and handed out our inheritances, we started a family group chat. Some participate fully and others don’t bother at all. The ones who do respond to the texts have really become our family through blood and bond.

“She won’t hurt you. She’s harmless.” I shrug, grinning when Rad shudders. From disgust or fear, I’m not sure.

My sister, Journey, may be a little out of her mind sometimes, but she wouldn’t start anything here. Not at her niece’s birthday party. Who she adores, by the way. Besides,I love Journey. Despite only knowing her for two years, she’s become someone I can talk to and depend on.

A sister.

I have my brothers, but she gets me. Like really gets me. I would never tell my guys she threatened to come here and slice their toes off as a threat after she learned about what they did.

“You told me her and her boyfriends?—”

“Husbands. They’re her husbands.” My eyes cut to her three husbands surrounding her like a protective wall, not permitting anyone from getting too close. Especially people they don’t know. Liv casually hugs Journey in a tight embrace, rubbing a hand over Journey’s engorged belly with a grin. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but they all seem to be smiling. You’d think three mafia kings wouldn’t want a Veritas agent in their midst. And that’d be true if Liv wasn’t their cousin.

What a weird West web we’ve created. It’s gotten so big my damn head hurts just thinking about my siblings. All fourteen of them.

“That’s Arrow, Jericho, and Shepp. And yeah, they’re in some sort of mafia type thing.” I shrug; I’m not sure what they actually do. I’d rather stay ignorant if they’re committing crimes. Especially if they’re sinking people in the river with concrete shoes.

They’re family. That’s it. They’ve never threatened us. Seger and Zepp seem to like them, too. So, that’s a plus. Even Carter tolerates them to an extent. And he doesn’t like anyone except his wife, Kaycee.