Page 125 of Illicit

Cole leans toward me and whispers in the loudest voice, one that only Cole Carson could achieve, “Nicely done, young man.”

Brax, who was late to the party to have my back, rolls his eyes.

Tim rubs his temple like a migraine has taken over his brain.

“Tim,” I call for him.

When he opens his eyes, he doesn’t look like he wants to kill me. He’s resigned.

I can deal with that.

But his next question surprises me. “You love her, and she loves you. Did you get her to stay in Miami instead of moving to New York?”

Teagan bristles in my arms. “Dad!”

His question doesn’t bother me in the slightest. “Not yet, and I’ve stopped asking. If she wants to go to New York, I’ll follow her.”

“Whoa,” Micah bursts. “You just got here.”

I look down at Teagan and tip her face to mine. “If you want to chase your dreams, I’ll chase you. But we’ll do it together.”

“That is so damn sweet,” Cole says.

“I already knew this,” Brax adds. “Landyn told me.”

“Well,” Tim demands, glaring at his daughter. “What are you going to do?”

Teagan tips her face to me and all I see are the endless dark eyes I’ve become obsessed with. “I only took that job because there was no way I could live in Miami knowing you were here.”

I bring my hand up to cup her cheek and lower my voice. “Baby, I knew that. I was trying to help you save face and not tell anyone that you hit on me first and that I was the reason you were moving to New York.”

She sighs. “That’s why I love you.”

I don’t give a shit where we are or who’s watching. I lean in and press my lips to hers. “Does this mean you’re staying?”

Tears pool in her eyes. “Yes. We’re staying.”

“This is too much,” Tim says. “I need some time to get used to this. If your mom knows and I didn’t know, I’m going to be even more pissed.”

Teagan doesn’t let me go but turns to Tim with a smile. “She doesn’t know. Let me tell her.”

Tim goes on. “You’d better call her the moment we leave here. Is there anything else I don’t know? I’m not happy about the secrets.”

I’d like to remind him that Sammie hid her pregnancy from them for the first four months to take some pressure off us, but I figure now is not the time.

King slaps me on the back. “Told you everything would be okay.”

“I felt good about it from the get-go,” Micah adds.

Brax is the only one to speak the truth. “I did not feel good about anything. I’m just glad it’s all over. I’m with Tim, secrets stress me out.”

“Again,” Micah drawls. “Your wife didn’t know your real name, for what, a year?”

Brax frowns. “A few weeks. And we’re well past that.”

“This is one of the best days ever. I feel like I’ve been here for all the big moments. I wish Bella could’ve witnessed this. She’d be bloody chuffed,” Cole announces, mimicking his wife’s British accent. “I feel like a part of the family. Can I be the crazy cousin from the boonies? Don’t make me say goodbye after this case is wrapped.”

“This case,” Tim echoes. “Can we get to that please? I’d like to be briefed before I retire. Sammie and Marley are coming home this afternoon. And we still need to deal with this.” He waves his hand around at Teagan and me. “When they tell Annette.”

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