“Yeah, it’s huge,” RJ agreed.
Sinjin nodded. “A masterpiece.”
“Took several sittings,” Mac added.
Dante shrugged. “Yeah, but Hunter could take a needle.”
And a knifing, a punch, bullets, and he had the scars to prove it. Hell, Dante often wondered if the guy was immortal…like Sinjin.
“Give yourself some credit, bro.”
Carter stood straighter and let his shirt settle back into place. “Thanks. I do. That’s why I let her ink my arm.” The grinning idiot lifted his sleeve to reveal another inked heart.
“Good for you.” All kidding aside, he was pleased to see his friend so elated.
It was evident that all his buddies were happy. Civilian life and Harland County suited them, and Dante hoped to eventually join those ranks.
“Okay, enough with the show and tell. How about we finish emptying the van?” Mac asked. “The murals Steph and Christa painted in Noah’s room should be completely dried by now.”
Dante couldn’t wait to get his son’s room all set up and for the little dude to see the dog characters from his favorite TV show gracing his walls.
He smiled. “They did an incredible job. Noah’s going to freak.”
Holden nodded, putting away his phone. “And Emily and her sister are on their way with the pizza.”
“Roger that,” Dean said, pivoting around before heading for the door with RJ on his six.
Mac chuckled. “You always were the motivator, Holden.”
Everyone laughed as they headed outside, and by the time the pizza arrived, the van was empty, and Dante was putting the last of his son’s clothes in the closet organizer he suspected Dex had installed.
“That about does it,” Holden said, placing the pillow on the toddler bed that coordinated with the walls. “Noah’s going to love this room.”
Dante smiled. “I know. I can’t wait to show him.”
He stepped to the window and peered down into his backyard. It was now full of people eating, including the sheriff who was another of his SEAL friends, along with several women Dante hadn’t yet met.
Holden walked over and glanced down. “Looks like he’s currently too preoccupied with pizza. Smart boy. We should follow his lead and grab a slice before they all disappear.”
“True.” He chuckled, following his buddy down the stairs. “If memory serves, those SEALs can eat.”
Holden’s snicker echoed up at him. “Not just the SEALs.”
His buddy was right.
“Pick up the pace, Jones,” he said, rushing behind him.
“Roger that, Williams,” Holden replied.
They were both still laughing as they walked out of the house and into the backyard toward the boxes of pizza sitting open on the patio table he no longer needed to purchase.
“Good thing you got here,” Carter said, shoving a box with an untouched pie at them. “We had to hold Cooper back from taking thirds.”
“Thanks.” He grabbed a plate and helped himself to two large slices, his stomach growling in appreciation.
As he ate, he flicked his gaze to his smiling son who was back to playing with the other kids by the swing set. He didn’t seem to have a problem with Dante being out of sight.
Nothing new.
