Page 92 of Raven's Curse
Atticus rolled his eyes, grumbling under his breath when Mac entered the room, holding Sean Joshua Rhett Beckett. Sean cooed, little hands waving beneath a blue onesie.
Atticus’ gaze softened, and he smiled down at his grandson, talking gibberish in some weird voice that made Chase laugh.
The older man snapped his gaze to Chase’s, frowning. “You got something to say, Remington?”
Chase removed his phone and snapped a photo. “Just wanted proof that your mouth actually curves upwards.”
Atticus glared at him, then looked back at the baby, another smile gracing his face.
Mac joined Chase, leaning into Foster when he wrapped his arms around her. “It’s kinda scary how smitten my dad is with Sean. I wasn’t sure what to expect.”
Foster leaned in. “I’m just happy he hasn’t eaten him, yet.”
Mac elbowed Foster. “He’s not that bad.”
“You keep saying that, sweetheart.”
The floor creaked, Kash and Jordan slipping through, Nyx bounding along beside them, their newborn daughter swaddled in a pink blanket.
Mac inhaled, then darted over, smiling at the tiny face sleeping in Jordan’s arms. “You’ve both got to be exhausted. You didn’t have to come over.”
Kash scoffed. “And have Atticus rip me a new one? Besides, Jordan threatened to shoot me in the ass if I stopped her from getting out of the house.”
Jordan shook her head. “He’s exaggerating, though, I was looking forward to a change of scenery.” She walked over to Chase and motioned for him to hold the baby. “Not to mention a few more arms to utilize.”
Chase froze. It wasn’t that he hadn’t been around babies, but… She was so small, so fragile.
Kash laughed as he nudged Chase. “Relax, you’re not going to break her.”
“Says the guy who sent out a blanket nine-one-one to us when faced with the first diaper change.”
“Fair.” Kash glanced down when Nyx sat at Chase’s feet, gaze locked on the baby. “She’s fine, Nyx. No one’s hurting her.” Kash sighed. “And I thought Nyx was protective of all of us. You should see her when we put the baby in the crib. Who needs a laser grid when you’ve got eighty pounds of muscle and teeth.”
“Who’s getting a laser grid?”
Chase turned as Greer ambled into the room, Saylor and Zain trailing behind her. Greer darted over, grabbing one tiny hand as Chase held the newborn against his chest. “It’s for the baby’s room, not that they’re paranoid.”
Kash shook his head. “We’re not paranoid, we’re proactive.”
Jordan moved into Kash’s arms, looking more than a bit radiant. “We’re still discussing it, but with my past…”
Kash kissed her temple. “No one’s getting to you or the baby. Promise.”
Greer straightened. “Especially now that we have a few more recruits. I already have them making extra rounds out this way, just in case. Though, speaking of the baby, any thoughts on a name, yet?”
Kash glanced at Jordan, smiled. “Just one. Ember.”
Jordan bit at her bottom lip, a rare moment of indecision. “Unless, that’s too…”
“Perfect.” Greer motioned for Chase to hand her the baby, instantly rocking back and forth as soon as she cradled her in her arms. “I think it’s perfect.”
Chase grinned. “Very fitting. Just remember, kids have a way of growing into their names, so… I’m thinking a double laser grid. One inside, one outside for when she starts trying to sneak out.”
“She can’t even roll over yet, jackass. I think we’ve got some time.” Kash glanced over at Saylor and Zain. “Someone looks green.”
Saylor glared at Kash, then raced off, nearly hitting Bodie as he ambled through the doorway.
Zain sighed. “Way to jinx it, brother. She only just stopped puking.”
