Page 51 of Stolen Hearts

Carson’s smile faded. “We’ll double down on the guard surrounding Rhae and Navy.”

Denver’s gut blazed like flash in the pan. “Ravencroft isn’t a threat to Navy. He urged Rhae to end the pregnancy.”

“Jesus.” Carson’s hands curled into fists.

“He showed up at her OB appointment and tried to convince her to start a family with him instead.” His jaw clenched so hard his teeth hurt. “But I still want a heavy watch on Navy. We can’t let anything happen to…mydaughter.”

They paused a beat at the spoken words.

Denver ground his molars again. “If Ravencroft comes within a hundred miles of me, I’ll fucking kill him just for proposing an abortion. Then I’ll bring him back and torture him for scaring Rhae.”

“I don’t blame you.” Carson looked about to kill for him. “Layne went through some shit too. Things I had to put an end to.”

“Obsessed men are no fucking joke.”

“You can say that again.” Carson sat back in his chair. Slowly, the heavy moment passed. Then he cleared his throat. “Enough fire and brimstone. Let’s talk wedding. You got your tux?”

“Hanging in my closet.” Denver smirked. “I’m ready when you are, boss.”

Carson gave him a mock scowl. “Youowna tuxedo?”

He shrugged. “I grew up in Texas, not the wilderness of Wyoming. I know how to dress up.”

“Speaking of the wedding,” Denver added, “Layne’s okay with us brothers planning something pre-wedding, right? We were thinking bonfire night. Just family. Rhae and I will bring Navy, keep it mellow. S’mores, drinks, maybe cornhole.”

“Do not bring a cornhole set to my pre-wedding party,” Carson deadpanned.

“Too late. Already bought the boards.” Denver stood with a grin.

They shared a chuckle as they left the office. But Denver’s humor faded fast as he checked his watch. Time to pick up the girls.

Hisgirls.

He crossed the gravel lot, boots crunching as he made his way toward the big rustic-looking lodge that housed the therapy program. A cool, fall wind raised dust. Soon snowflakes would be dancing in the air and they could bundle Navy up and take her out to play in the snow.

He was still thinking about Rhae’s trust fund, about Robert, and all the ways this could spiral. Then he started thinking about Kyle holding his daughter, feeding her a bottle, putting her to sleep.

Things Denver had never done.

It bothered the hell out of him, but he was still trying to figure out how to express that to Rhae when he reached her quarters.

He knocked on the door, and she was ready for him, baby in arms. His heart squeezed at the sight of their faces. Having Rhae in his life was so damn unexpected that it ripped the breath out of his lungs.

But having a child? There weren’t words.

He leaned in to brush his lips over Rhae’s and then held out his arms for the baby. She passed Navy into his care, and the three of them walked over to the house again.

When they reached the kitchen, he spotted the high chair set up at the corner of the long table, and his heart melted even more at the sight.

Dinner with his whole family was loud and chaotic, exactly what Denver hadn’t realized his soul needed. They gathered around a long wooden table set with platters of grilled chicken, roasted vegetables and cornbread, passing the food from hand to hand.

Navy sat in her high chair, banging her plastic spoon like a warrior queen, grinning each time someone gave her attention. Rhae laughed beside him, her smile warmer than he’d ever seen it.

She needs this too. A family.

“You gotta try this peach cobbler.” Layne slid a dish toward him.

Denver accepted it. “Looks dangerous.”

---