Say It's Forever (Redemption Hills #2)(20)

A smirk took to Logan’s face. “Hmmm…let’s see…pretty sure it goes something like, Forgive me, oh, amazing one, I underestimated you. Big time. You’re definitely the smartest and best looking of us Lawson bros. Where would I be without you? And just because you’re so awesome and handsome and basically the coolest guy I know, I solemnly swear to never punch you again. Not even when you’re checking out my smokin’ hot woman.”

His smirk widened as he pressed his hand over his heart in a mock oath. “A little somethin’ like that will do.”

That was two seconds before he got punched again.

“You even look at Eden, and I gouge your eyes out,” Trent growled.

Gage giggled wildly. “You better watch it, Uncle. Everyone’s comin’ for you, and even I won’t be able to save you.”

“Never, Gage. These ogres love me.”

That time, the tease drained from Logan’s tone as he looked between us.

“Of course, we do. Doesn’t give you the clear to check out Eden, though.” Trent almost smiled when he said it.

Miracles did come true.

Was pretty sure that miracle came in the form of a sweet little blonde who’d changed Trent’s world.

Logan lifted both his hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. You know I’m just messing with you. Happy for you, brother. Honestly. Love that you found someone as awesome and hot as Eden.”

The ribbing was back on the last as he tapped his fist on Trent’s knee.

Trent grunted. “Know it. Still feels like a dream. Never thought I’d get so lucky. Speaking of…there’s a reason Gage is here with me today. We have news.”

He tipped his gaze down to Gage who beamed up at him.

My chest stretched tight.

Was hard witnessing something so perfect.

“You want to tell ’em, buddy?” Trent urged.

The whole room lit up with the force of Gage’s smile, and he started jumping on his toes, all that caramel hair bouncing around his face. “We’re gonna ask Miss Murphy if she wants to get married!”

Excitement poured from his mouth. Almost as fierce as the hope and worry that blazed from Trent’s spirit.

I saw it roil in his eyes. Old wounds that would never let him go fighting against the truth that he deserved happiness. Dude would give it all for us. It was about damned time he got it in return.

“We even got rings and everything and Miss Murphy is gonna be the happiest in the whole wide world. All the way to the highest mountain.” He stretched his arms over his head. “And that’s where we’re gonna love her forever and ever. Right, Dad, right?”

“That’s right, buddy, that’s what we’re hoping.”

“Hoping?” My brow arched. “That girl’s mad for you, brother. You don’t have a thing to worry about.”

“Jud’s spot on,” Logan said, slouched back in the chair. “Eden is amazing. You two might be opposites, but you’re perfect for each other.”

Gage squeezed his dad’s hand tight, belief stretched across his face.

“Dad, see, you don’t got nothin’ to worry about. She loves us.” His little voice twisted in emphasis.

Adoration came riding out with Trent’s. “I know it, buddy. Sometimes it’s just hard for me to realize it.”

“Realize it, already, sheesh.”

On a chuckle, Trent blew some of the tension from between his lips, and he glanced between me and Logan. “I want to do it on the last day of school this Friday. As soon as school lets out. Figure one ending can be our new beginning. Was hoping to set up a surprise. Have everyone we care about there to witness it.”

“I’m there,” I promised.

“Like you could keep me away,” Logan added.

Trent grinned down at his kid. Joy lit against the darkest places in his being.

I felt it spark, too.

Satisfied in the truth that my older brother was happy.

That this family was finally safe.

That we’d truly left the crimes and misdeeds and corruption in the past.

My attention drifted out the bank of windows that sectioned off my office from the rest of the shop, landing on the sedan sitting on the car lift on the opposite side.

Something shifted through me.

The draw.

The attraction.

The fire.

The force of that woman hit me like an avalanche.

A rumble knocking me from my feet.

Black-fuckin’-magic.

Needed to ignore it.

But then I figured it was some kinda cosmic shit when my phone beeped in my pocket at the exact same time, and it was a text from Darius with Salem’s phone number.

A grin slid to my mouth.

And I was pretty sure that grin made me a damned fool.





SIX





SALEM





“What are you giggling about over there, Juni Bee?” Drying my hands, I leaned against the kitchen archway and looked at my daughter who was propped on her knees in front of the living room window, her hands plastered to the glass.

She giggled more and pressed her face to the pane.

Amusement rippled through me as I moved that way so I could peer out into the night at what she was staring at across the street.