Fuck, I was so pissed at myself. I wasn’t used to touching her in front of anyone. Of course I wanted to smother her with kisses and hold her tight. It was all I’d thought about since she left.
Piper’s short but blunt ass-chewing got my head straight. Her “man up or die” earned my respect. I liked her no-frills attitude. It was easy to see she was a Knight, even resembling Storm a bit.
I held Emilee’s hand, stroking the top of it, the entire way back to the compound. Her sniffling gutted me. I couldn’t look at her while she cried. It would tear me up, so I watched my little boy sleep, burning his baby face into my memory.
Storm parked the cage in a new area near the family unit. We’d already discussed what would happen when we brought Emilee home. I’d take my family to our private suite where I could care for them as I should’ve been all this time.
“Stay right there,” I told her, jumping out.
Storm was waiting at Emilee’s door. “I’ll take the baby in for you. Don’t make Emilee hobble like at the airport.”
I grimaced, recalling how she had limped carrying the baby to the cage. I felt like a piece of shit, which was what my mom and her boyfriend used to call me, but it wasn’t true. I was a good guy. I just wasn’t perfect.
“Right.” I opened the door. “Put your arm around my neck.”
Emilee’s brow wrinkled. “What are you doing?”
“I’m carrying you. Put your arm around my neck.”
“But I can walk.”
“Woman, I said, put your arm around my neck.” I slid my hand under her legs, not giving her a chance to reject me.
Storm snickered behind me.
Emilee’s eyes went as big as saucers. “Okay…” She looped her arm as I demanded. “What about the baby?”
“Storm’s got him.” If it were anyone else, I might’ve found a different solution. But I’d seen Storm with his daughter plenty. I could trust him with my son.
I lifted Emilee into my arms and nearly melted on the spot. Christ, the feel of her warm body against mine made every one of my nerve endings stir to life.
She exhaled, resting her head on my shoulder. Her body relaxed. I wondered if she felt as I did:whole again.
The family unit behind the clubhouse was a bit of a walk. Storm and Maddy had designed a winding path from the parking lot to its entrance. Shrubs and trees created a barrier from the yard where club parties were held. It added privacy for both sides.
Emilee perked up. “Oh my gosh. The family unit is finished?”
“Yep. This is where we live now.”
“We?”
“We, baby.” I kissed her cheek as I went down the concrete sidewalk. Midway, there was a circular sort of roundabout with flowers and a fountain in the middle.
“This is beautiful. It’s like a park. I can’t wait to see it during the day.”
I smiled at her glee. “Maddy said the circle would be fun for the kids to ride tricycles and play around.”
“She was right. I can see Little D loving this on his bike.”
“Little D?”
“Mhm, it’s what I call him.”
I stopped at the door and it opened, startling both of us.
My Aunt Tina smiled. “I saw you guys coming up the walk. Hi, honey.” She ran her hand down Emilee’s arm and kissed her cheek.
“If Danny would put me down, I’d hug you.” Emilee’s voice was full of emotion.