Forsaken Duty (Red Team #9)(103)

Aunt Hope came in then, thankfully stealing his focus. The boys began filing out. Jim had promised all kinds of delicious-sounding appetizers to hold everyone until dinner. The feast was scheduled early, so they’d all skipped lunch.

Hope checked Lion, then kissed his cheek. “I’m so happy we’re together, Lion.”

He gave his sister a big hug. “Me too.”

Casey followed Miss Wynn and the boys out.



Max drew Hope into his arms as the gym cleared. “You see Lion and Casey together? I think I need to tell that boy how to play it cool with the girls.”

Hope looked shocked. “Casey’s thirteen. He is not thinking about her, so you’ll do no such thing, Mads.”

He grinned and kissed her.

“Is that playing it cool?” she asked.

“No. That’s me, hot as fuck for you. We could be late to the feast…”

“Not a chance. We’re all here, all of us together. And the war is over. Mostly. I don’t want to miss a minute of today.”

He kissed her forehead. “I love you.”

She sighed. “I love you too.”



Owen reached over to take Addy’s hand. Everyone was out on the wide patio, sitting at two rows of tables. Russ and Jim had made everything look amazing, with tablecloths, autumn flower arrangements, and little gourds scattered here and there.

The entire pride, who looked great in their suits, were enjoying the feast. His fighters were relaxed and happy. All down the line, the families sat together. Ty’s dad was there. So was the sheriff. Even Owen’s dad. Jax sat across from Addy. Troy was next to her, but Augie was with the watchers. Owen tried not to fixate on that. His son was here. Safe. The rest they could work on. It just wasn’t easy seeing the sadness in Addy’s eyes when she looked over at her boy, who was sitting with his back to them. Maybe it was time he had a talk with him.

A convo Val was having midway down the table caught his attention. “…So I guess Ace and I will be going to physical therapy together in a few weeks.”

“And we just have to walk out to the stables for our sessions,” Ace said.

Val frowned and looked from Ace to Mandy. “Don’t tell me I have to ride a horse.”

“Nah, Val, you don’t have to ride one,” Rocco said. “Mandy knows how fussy you are. You can bench press one so you can get your arm strength back.”

Mandy laughed. “Look at it this way, Val. If you do start riding, you can get a whole new wardrobe…”

Val’s brows went up. He smiled at Ace. “I would look good in a cowboy hat.”

Blade shook his head. “Nothing like a rhinestone cowboy to put a shine on the place.”

Owen felt an odd swelling in his chest. It was happiness, through and through. He looked at Addy, wondering if she felt the same. He’d never expected to have so large a family, and now he couldn’t imagine life any other way.



Owen was in the sitting room outside in his bedroom wing with Addy and Troy that evening. She was reading her son a bedtime story. It had been a hectic day. It was nice getting to unwind with them. There was just one thing missing: Augie.

Owen’s phone buzzed. Partners’ meeting. Den. 5 min.

“Hey. I have to go talk to Val.” Owen kissed Addy. “Wait up for me, okay?”

“We will. You’ll go get Augie afterwards? I think he’s still with the pride. It’s time for bed,” Addy said.

“You bet.”

Owen got to the den first. Val closed the door behind him, then perched himself on the arm of the sofa.

“What’s up?” Owen asked.

“Today was a good day.”

Owen nodded, waiting for Val to get to the point.

Val read his impatience and grinned. “Just wanted to touch base, see how you’re doing. I’m glad the guys know and are cool with my being a silent partner.”

“Silent, right,” Owen scoffed.

“So how are you doing with the dad stuff?”

Owen sighed. “I’ll figure it out.”

“I don’t doubt it. But what’s it like?”

Owen absently stared at the edge of the carpet that framed the sitting area of the den. “It makes my heart hurt. I get the feeling Augie doesn’t want to be my son.”

“I don’t think that’s true. He doesn’t know you yet. When you were gone, your absence affected all of us. For a quiet guy, your not being here was sure loud. You’re not a helluva lot older than I am, but you pull us all together. Like a dad. Augie will learn that about you in time.”

“I hope so.”

“He hasn’t had a lot of experience with dads. The first one he had really fucked him over. Then three years with the watchers—which, was probably the best thing that could have happened to him under the circumstances—saved his life. Lion, and whoever was his leader before that, were good guys. But being a cub is his norm now. Fitting in, being needed…having something important to do. Somehow, you may need to appeal to that. Talk to him. Listen to him. He’s not a fighter waiting to take orders. He’s a boy who needs to know there’s a spot for him in his family.”

“Of course there’s a spot for him.”

“You know that and I know that, but does he?”