Page 151 of Please Hate Me

After weighing the pros and cons, I decided it was best to move Jas purely because I didn’t want him to squish his little sister.

My boy is a big brother.

I stopped dead in my tracks as my lips quivered into a smile. A sense of pride crept across my chest—strange, consideringJasper hadn’t done a damn thing. He hadn’t learned a new skill or cleaned up his toys; he hadn’t even drawn me a picture. And yet, I felt overwhelming pride for the caring brother I knew he was going to be. I loved the idea of him looking into a bassinet and seeing a little girl that was half me and half Mason.

I hoped Rosie had her mother’s eyes.

My presence brought danger upon everyone. I knew that. But I was going to eliminate the threat or die trying. That was my role as a father, and as a partner. The world may have never deserved Mason Albright, but Mason Albright deserved the world, and I was going to give it to her. A world full of happiness and love, one she had only started to see.

I’d be damned if Dale took that from her.

With that in mind, I scooped Jasper up, forcing my finger into his little hand so he’d release Mason. I also slid a pillow into Mason’s arms so she wouldn’t notice Jasper’s absence and wake up.

This worked at first, but when the first stair creaked under my foot, Jasper knew something was up. His little eyes cracked, and his bottom lip quivered.

“Masie!” he called as tears pearled along his lashes.

“Shhh!”

I marched up the steps a little faster, but I just ended up jostling him more. By the time we reached his bedroom door, the poor boy was sobbing. But, instead of telling him to man up or to stop, I held him against my chest. The days of him being my youngest were rapidly approaching their end, and I wanted to soak it in.

“I want Masie,” he muffled into my chest. I shushed him as I patted his back.

“I know, buddy, I know.”

Both the kids were like this with Mason, but Jasper was worse. Lucian was worried the kids would get too attached if they foundout we were dating Mason, so he’d forbidden us from telling them. But how on earth could they get more attached than they already were?

“I can’t have you sleepin’ on her like that.” I soothed, smoothing his curls as I spoke. “She’s got your baby sister in her belly.”

Jasper pulled away from my chest, sniffling as he wiped his eyes.

“Baby sister?”

“Baby sister,” I repeated with a smile. “Ain’t that exciting?”

Jasper studied me with slow blinks, and I realized he was far too tired to show any excitement. But when his slips spread into a sleepy grin, I knew he couldn’t wait to be a big brother.

It took fifteen minutes to get Jasper back to sleep after that. He wanted to know all about his baby sister: what her name was, when her birthday would be, and most of all, he wanted to know if Mason was just Rosie’s mommy or if he’d have two moms now. That last one I couldn’t answer. Only time could tell. But I didn’t think Mason would have a problem with me telling him...

At least, I hoped she wouldn’t.

I crept down the stairs, skipping over all the creaky ones. Mason was still out like a light, clutching the throw pillow I’d given her. The daddy kink I had developed reared its ugly head as I slid her off the couch and into my arms. My sweet girl was out cold, and all I wanted to do was take care of her... in more ways than one.

Her head was warm on my chest as she nestled in, still breathing slow and even. She looked so innocent when she was asleep. Her skin was smooth, and her freckles laid in just the right way to draw you in. Her lips parted slightly, and I could barely make out the gap in her teeth.

Mason once told me she felt like she was made of spare parts. At the time, I argued with her; I told her she was beautiful, andhonest to God, I meant it. But, as I slowly carried her through the house, preparing to tuck her into my bed so she could get some much-needed rest, I realized she’d been right all along.

Mason Albrightwasmade out of spare parts, but not in the way she meant it, not because God got lazy and suited her up with the first features he could find. Instead, she was made of the bits and bobs he treasured most—the ones he feared he’d never see again if he used them up. Traits he collected atop his mantle, waiting for the right time to bestow them upon his favorite servants and highest-ranking angels. Oh yes, he poured his best resources into creating Mason Albright.

I shifted Mason around so I could free up one hand to open my bedroom door. Once I was close enough to my bed, I gently lowered her to my mattress, doing my best to make sure she didn’t stir. A beat of beautiful silence fell between us, and I debated curling up with her.

What was the worst that could come of us napping together?

But, as I prepared to hold Mason until she woke, a commotion erupted from the direction of the front door. It sounded like feet stomping and doors slamming. Mason’s brow furrowed as she whimpered, covering her ears but not opening her eyes.

Anger flooded my body. I didn’t care who was out there, they were about to get an earful—that was fordamnsure. I snuck out of my room, quietly shutting the door behind me before heading toward the sound.

I shouldn’t have been surprised that Sebastian was the one causing problems. He stood at the front door with a suitcase beside him and a plastic bag in hand. His jeans were covered in dirt, and cobwebs plagued his brassy hair.

---