Page 190 of Brutal Collateral

“It’s Ava’s now.” Griffin takes it from him.

“Exactly. It needs to go on,” Shane says, ignoring what must be tremendous pain in his hands. And the sacrifice. All the man does is type and scroll to keep us safe.

Griffin hugs his brother and fists the necklace. “The clasp is broken, I’ll hold on to it.”

Especially since I’m going into surgery.

“I couldn’t find the ring and by now, I’m sure that’s gone,” Shane says.

“I don’t care about the ring. My wedding band is more important.”

“I’llstillget you a new rock,” Griffin says immediately. “Oneyou’llpick out.”

Before I can react to that, a nurse comes to look at Shane’s hands, and off he goes.

A few minutes later, I’m cleaned up and wheeled to a medical transport van. Cormac rides with us and Griffin doesn’t let go of my hand.

“No self-defense classes for a while,” he says to me.

“I know.” I bring him closer. “Are you happy about the babies?”

“Of course.”

“Two at once is a lot.”

“I can handle it.” He kisses my lips. “We’llhandle it.” Then he breaks into a giggle. “Oh shite, Cor. You never told us the sex!”

I cough a laugh. I guess with two that’s the least of our worries.

Cormac smiles. “You didn’t tell me which one.”

“Both, you bleedin’ quack!”

All eyes in the transport turn to them.

“They’re...family,” I explain, leaving out that we’re mafia, too.

Laughing, Cormac teases, “I’ll tell you on one condition.”

“Aw, bloody hell. I’ll find someone to take that student you’re clearly banging away from you,” Griffin threatens.

I gasp. “Griffin!”

“No comment,” Cormac says, all proud that he’s got some kind of upper hand.

“What’s the condition?” Griffin repeats.

“That you let me be there when you tell Ewan.”

“Ewan?Why?”

“I heard through the grapevine that Darcy is having another girl.”

“What does that have to do with—” Griffin stops and covers his mouth. “Are you saying on my maiden voyage I scored twosons?”

I shake my head, listening to them talk about my pregnancy like it’s a competition.

“Congratulations.” Cormac leans forward and fist bumps Griffin.

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