He nods, reaching for the garlic powder, and adding it in.
I smile, keeping my hand wrapped around him, realizing what he’s done. He pulled my mind from the worries of my brothers and calmed me by redirecting my thoughts. My heart swells with affection and appreciation.
“Thank you,” I say, exhaling a breath that lightens my load. As if it’s pushing away all the worry and letting me be here with him.
“You’re welcome,” he says. “Go set the table. Let’s eat, and hopefully after we’ll know what’s going on.”
Sean yanks his headphones off, jumping up from the couch. Hurrying to the kitchen, a smile on his face. “They’ve agreed.”
“When?” Griff asks, while I open the cabinets to get plates for the table.
“Now. They’re doing it now.”
I stop, mid movement, turning to him. “They’re killing him now? So soon and without a longer vote?”
Sean nods. “They’ve been trying to get him out for a while, apparently. They weren’t even letting him marry off Camille to another family. It’s why he put her up to what she did, Paddy. They want him gone. And it’s time.”
Relief floods through me. “Jesus,” I say. “So they wanted a baby, an heir that kept them relevant toCosa Nostra.”
Sean nods. “And they’re willing to honor the blood tie by arranging a marriage with another family.”
“But we’re already married,” Griffin says, confusion laced in his tone.
“Not Paddy. When the time comes, they’re willing to tie our families with whomever we want.”
“How are they doing it?” I ask.
“Callum’s going to do it. He’s being brought somewhere now, and you know Callum won’t be merciful. It’ll be long and slow. So stop stressing. Sit down and eat and relax.”
“We’re going to have to tell Camille,” I say.
Sean huffs his annoyance, rolling his eyes. “Fuck her.”
Michael laughs. “For real.”
“What if the stress causes her to have the baby early? She’s still got a few weeks left,” I say.
“Then hide it from her until the baby is here,” Sean shrugs. “I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Michaelgroans,slappingmychest and pulling me from sleep. I shove away and roll onto my side.
“Your phone,” he says in a murmur. “It won’t stop ringing.”
Rubbing my eyes, I force myself awake. My phone won’t stop ringing. Fuck, it could be the baby. I shoot up, reaching for it on the nightstand. The screen lights up my face, and I squint, the sudden change hurting my eyes.
Focusing on the screen, I take in the three missed calls from Haley. No voicemails, no texts. My face unlocks the phone and I redial as quickly as I can.
“Paddy. It’s time,” Haley says in way of greeting. “We’re all set for home birth, both heart rates are good, and the OBGYN is on his way.”
“Now? He’s coming now?” My heart rate picks up, not believing that it’s finally here. That we’re finally about to meet our son. I grip Michael’s knee. He winces, and I look over, mout hing a quick sorry.
“He is. She’s been sleeping all day. I thought tonight might be the day. I woke up about an hour ago to her screaming. She’s six centimeters. Could be soon, could still be hours.”
“We’re on our way,” I say, tossing the blankets over me. I throw my phone back on the nightstand and hurry to the walk-in closet to get clothes.
Michael follows behind me, still barely awake. Moving like a zombie, his groans are almost animal- like. “It’s not a false alarm is it? I really don’t want to go all the way to Callum’s just to be sent home.”
