Forged in Steele (KGI #7)(22)

Steele opened his mouth to give his excuses and get the hell out of there but the roar of conversation, excited exclamations over the babies and congratulations and backslaps drowned out anything he would have said.

Two hours later, he found himself stuffed into Rachel’s room with the rest of KGI and assorted team members, and he realized he hadn’t even eaten. He was starved, he was deafened by all the chatter and his head was about to explode.

Rachel was glowing with happiness, her eyes alight with joy, her cheeks flushed and rosy. Not bad for a woman who’d just had her belly cut open and her insides pulled out and put back in.

He went into panic mode—and he did not panic, ever!—when one of the babies was suddenly shoved into his arms. He went rigid, terrified that if he so much as breathed, he’d break it. Or drop it. Or get peed or pooped on . . .

He’d rather handle a live grenade than have this squirming, warm . . . really cute little person . . .

He studied the tiny features and watched in fascination as the baby blinked and stared up at him, almost as if he were perfectly aware of his surroundings.

“Holy shit, who has a camera? Get the damn phone out. We can’t miss this. This is the money shot, folks!” Dolphin hooted. “Boss man with a baby. I’m so making this my screen saver.”

Steele was nearly blinded as a multitude of flashes went off in the room.

“Way to make me drop the kid,” he muttered.

“You look good with a baby in your arms,” P.J. said mischievously.

“Yeah, you’re a natural,” Cole chimed in.

He sent them all dark, quelling looks. When he glanced up to where Sam, Garrett and Donovan stood by Rachel’s bed, they were all fighting grins and stifling laughter. Bastards. All of them.

“How the hell did I end up with the kid anyway?” Steele demanded. “He’s being passed around like a damn party favor. Don’t you have to worry about germs or infections?”

Ethan grinned and deftly retrieved the bundle from Steele’s arms. They felt oddly empty, bereft of the warm, cuddly infant. He stared down at his empty hands for a long moment and then glanced back up to where Ethan was gently handing Rachel both of the babies.

He was struck by the picture she presented. Never had he seen a happier woman. And this was a woman who deserved happiness above all others. She’d been to hell and back, and she’d not only survived it but she’d kicked the devil’s ass in the process.

“You did good, sweetheart,” Steele said to Rachel.

He was treated to several surprised expressions. One, he never used endearments. He just wasn’t a warm, affectionate guy. Two, he didn’t typically offer unsolicited conversation. But he’d never forget Rachel the way she’d looked, gaunt, scared out of her mind. Dirty, tattered clothing, pointing a gun at him and then Sam because she had no idea who the f**k they were. And he’d never forget the assurances he’d given her then and there that he’d never allow those bastards to take her back and that he’d make damn sure she and Ethan got back home where they belonged. It was a promise he’d kept.

Rachel’s smile lit up the entire room as she beamed at Steele.

“Thank you, Steele,” she said sweetly.

He took a step forward and people moved left and right to clear a path toward her bed. He leaned over and kissed her forehead and then gently touched each of the blankets surrounding the babies’ heads.

“Cute kids,” he said.

Ethan and Rachel both smiled.

“I’m going to get on out of here and leave you to rest. You’ve had a hard day, little mama. Better catch some Zs now because when you go home there’s no sending them back to the nursery.”

Rachel laughed. “Don’t remind me! And thank you, Steele. I’m glad you were here.”

“I’m glad I was too,” he said softly.

And he was. Today had been special in the Kelly family. Not just the immediate family but also the extended family that included all the KGI members.

They’d all had a hand in the mission that brought Rachel back home where she belonged. It was only fitting that they all be present when Rachel stepped out of the shadows and fully into the sun. The entire family was gathered, happy and rejoicing over the addition of two new Kellys into the pack.

Yeah, it was a good day. The perfect end to—and in many ways the beginning of—a chapter in Ethan’s and Rachel’s life.

He stepped back, making a sudden decision, one that had been nagging him for days. He’d sworn that he’d have that one night with Maren and never look back. But he wanted to see her again. She was becoming an obsession and he didn’t do obsession. The only thing he’d ever been obsessed with was his job.

But now he was overwhelmed with the urge to see her again. He wanted to touch her, feel her against his skin, inhale her scent and lose himself in her arms for another night.

As he walked past Sam, he motioned for him to follow him into the hall. Sam walked out, his brow furrowed.

“What’s up?” Sam asked.

“I’m bugging out. Know I said I’d be available for training, but that’s going to have to wait. If you need me, buzz me. I won’t be home.”

Sam sent him a curious look but didn’t pry. Not that Steele would have offered up any further information.

“Things are quiet, but then we rarely have much advance notice. I’ll be in touch if I need you. You going to let your team know you’ll be out of pocket or should I?”