Page 273 of Wild Card

“You two wantto stop fawning and get over here?”

Rowan and I share a conspiratorial look and both answer, “No.”

Max’s mouth splits in a wide grin and he leans back in his lounge chair, elevating his casted ankle on the stack of towels.

Rowan rambles on, explaining the serums she’s put together to help his scarring.

Ember brings him a fresh beer and grins at us, knowing our game.

“Thanks, Little Star.” He takes a slug as Robbie groans.

“You’re pushing it.”

“What, man, I’m injured.”

Without warning, I’m hefted off the ground and moved five feet back in Talon’s hold. Ford does the same with Rowan, setting off a round of laughter around us.

“Talon, I was making sure he’s comfortable.”

“He’s fine,” he grumbles, circling my waist.

“Are you seriously jealous of Max?”

“You haven’t left his side since he arrived.”

“He’s lucky to be alive!” I protest.

“Thanks to me. It wouldn’t be nice to kick his ass for flirting with my fiancée.”

I twist in his arms to see he’s totally serious. “You are shameless.”

His eyes light up and my stomach flips at the mesmerizing shade of blue piercing into me. “Please let our baby get your eyes.”

“I did my best.” He kisses me quickly, stroking his fingers across my abdomen.

My eyes dart to the side gate as it opens and a hoard of kids fly through, all diving directly into the pool.

Raven, Declan, Charlie, Blake, Presley, and Finn all follow, dragging large Hulken bags.

“What in the world did they bring?”

“Looks like they bought out the liquor store.”

Raven and Presley give their stuff to Major and Ace, then head straight to Max.

“Jesus Christ, he’s milking this shit.”

I try to eye him sternly but fail, head-planting on his chest in a fit of laughter.

“Uncle Talon, are you getting in the pool with us?” Wyatt squirms his way between our legs.

I jump at the chill of his soaking wet body and he stills. “Did I hurt you, Aunt Lolo?”

“No, you startled me.”

“I didn’t hurt the baby?”

My heart squeezes as he stares at my stomach. Everyone’s excitement over my pregnancy paled in comparison to Wyatt's. While he didn’t have a clue about exactly what it all meant, he was over the moon to have a cousin—who he insisted was a boy.

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