With my back to the one person who didn’t grow up in our huge family, I feel free enough to admit, “It was sort of suffocating to grow up in the shadows of brothers who were born to lead the next generation of bikers. Even if our parents loved us equally, it still felt as if they had purpose, you know?”
“Makes sense,” Livi muses. “On the other hand, you did follow in your mother’s footsteps.”
The corner of my mouth twitches with a hint of a smile. “Yeah, I guess I did. Some things are in our blood and have a way of coming out no matter how much we crave change.”
Livi comes up next to me and leans her back against the counter when she states, “Evolution. Kids take all the annoying, shitty stuff, give it a twist and do what feels right. It’s perfecting life from one generation to the next. Evolution and all.”
I bob my head. “You’re right. I’m pretty sure our kids will hate stuff we do and think they know everything to do it better.”
Snorting, Livi states, “My thoughts exactly when I was a teenager.”
“Something smells amazing,” Archer states as he wanders into the kitchen.
Livi takes a defensive stance. “My food. Go get your own at your clubhouse. You don’t live here. Go. Scoot.”
Archer throws his hands up. “Hey, I respect your food, Livi. No need to get all defensive. Okay, I’m out of here. I just came in here to say goodbye to my cousins.”
I point the spatula at Archer. “Are they all done?”
Archer shakes his head. “Not yet. We’ve talked through all the details, and they are now updating the rest of the brothers. We can’t really jump on Amadeo’s message, instantly reply to show him proof of how we have you locked in a room and ready to meet.”
“It wouldn’t make sense for you guys to be able to kidnap me within the hour,” I murmur. “Now what? We wait a few days?”
“More waiting,” Livi grumbles.
“True, but necessary to make it believable.” I check the spaghetti and notice it’s done.
“Are you sure you don’t want to share some with your cousin?” Archer tries and rubs his belly. “It sure smells divine and it’s been ages since I’ve had some of Kenz’s spaghetti.”
I smile and tell my cousin, “Have a seat, I’ll make you a bowl.”
“Fuck, yeah,” he grunts and eagerly sits down.
“You’re too good for this world,” Livi grumbles.
I bump my hip against hers to make her move so I can reach for a bowl. “And you’re way too grumpy when you’re hungry. Are you carrying twins or triplets? ’Cause eating for two doesn’t compare to all the food you’re inhaling.”
Livi narrows her eyes. “I take it back, you’re a bitch. And that’s enough for Archer, he needs to go home.”
Archer snickers while I shake my head.
Thorsten steps into the room and the first thing the man says is, “Why are you serving that fucker food and not my woman?”
Livi smirks and I flip her off.
“Sit and all of you will get some.” Falcon enters the kitchen and instead of walking to the counter I head for his open arms and get myself a kiss.
“This is taking too long,” Livi mutters from behind me.
Pulling back, I whisper, “If you do manage to knock me up? Let’s hope I don’t turn into a raccoon who eats anything within their reach.”
“I heard that,” Livi snaps, making me chuckle.
Falcon, however, is wearing a predatory look while he stares at my stomach. My cheeks heat when his gaze hits mine and I get hit with his heated gaze.
“Food is ready,” I bellow and take Falcon’s hand and mutter, “We’re hungry for something else.”
He willingly follows me out of the kitchen and once we’re in the hallway he grabs my waist and without effort throws me over his shoulder to hurry down to the basement.