Page 128 of Illicit

I smile because I know he’s giving me shit. “Love you, Dad.”

“Love you, too, Teag.” Then he dips his lips close to my ear and whispers only for me to hear. “Only want you to be happy, baby. He’d better make you happy.”

I hug him tighter. “He does. He really does.”

“He’s a good man. I’ve always known that. I was … shocked.”

I pull away far enough to look up at him. “I’m relieved that you know.”

He kisses my forehead. “Go tell your mom. I doubt she’ll have the same reaction I did.”

My smile might break my face. “I hope you’re right.”

I know he’s right.

I feel a tug on the back of my shirt.

“Let’s go,” Rocco says. “If we tell Annette sooner rather than later, she might not kill me. I have a couple more days off until I officially report. I’ve got a couple stops I want to make while we wait on news about Hayes.”

“I’m back on the next flight to D.C. This could’ve been done over a conference call, but these visits really feed my soul. I love the comradery,” Cole says.

We both say goodbye, Rocco does the handshake thing all around, and we leave the way we came in. He holds me close, and I realize I don’t care what anyone thinks.

I’m ready to shout my new reality from the rooftops.

Rocco

Annette screams.

She actually screams.

What’s happening in front of us couldn’t be more different than Tim’s reaction back at DEA.

Sammie scoffs from her reclining chair where Marley is cradled in her arms. “I know Teagan is your favorite and Rocco isn’t far behind, but you do have a granddaughter now. You’re going to wake her.”

Annette throws her arms around Teagan while talking to Sammie. “I don’t have favorites. I love everyone. And if we tiptoe around the baby, she’ll never sleep. Trust me, if she can sleep through chaos, you’ll thank me later.”

“Do you hear that, Marley? Your granny wants you to sleep through a fireworks show,” Sammie says in a baby, sing-songy voice even though her daughter is fast asleep.

Even with tears in her eyes, Annette turns to Sammie. “I don’t care if you are postpartum. If the word granny is muttered in this house again, there will be hell to pay.”

Annette turns to me. I almost have to catch her when she throws herself into my arms. “I’m so happy. I love you like you’re mine, Roc. But you’re not. Not really. I was always afraid when you settled down, I’d lose you. I love you. And, if it’s possible, I love you more for Teagan. You two are made for each other. I’ve thought that for years.”

“I literally gave her a grandchild, and she can’t stop going on and on about how perfect Teagan is,” Sammie complains. But when I look over, she’s doing it with a grin on her face and turns back to the bundle in her arms. “Are you going to be as perfect as your Aunt Teagan? Of course, you are. In fact, you’ll blow your aunt out of the water, that’s how perfect you are.”

I kiss Annette on the cheek before she lets me go. “I’m glad you’re happy.”

“Glad?!” Annette exclaims. “This is the best thing since grandbabies!”

Sammie rolls her eyes.

We had to rehash the whole thing for Annette. As much as I want to shout to the world that Teagan is mine, I’m also ready to move on.

Move forward.

And that means moving out of this house with Teagan sooner rather than later.

“As much as I’d like to stand around and talk about how much everyone loves me, we have an appointment.”

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