Forged in Steele (KGI #7)(81)

“They’re so beautiful, Rachel. I can hardly wait to hold my own baby.”

Rachel squeezed Maren’s hand and then wrapped an arm around her waist as they both peered down at the baby she held.

“Any plans to have a child, or are you talking a long way into the future?”

Heat crept into Maren’s cheeks, but she refused to be anything but truthful. She didn’t regret for a moment that she was pregnant or that she was having Steele’s baby. And since Steele planned to tell everyone anyway, it wasn’t as if Rachel wouldn’t know soon enough.

“How’s about five months sound?” Maren asked.

Rachel’s and Rusty’s mouths popped open. Ethan blinked as if he’d misheard.

“Really?” Rachel squeaked. And then, as if realizing the possibilities, Rachel’s gaze grew worried and anxious. “Oh God, Maren. Is this a good thing? It wasn’t . . . I mean, he didn’t . . .” She broke off, sorrow creeping into her eyes.

Maren handed the baby back to Rusty and then took both of Rachel’s hands in hers. “It’s a very good thing. You’re all about to hear our news anyway.”

“I’d say now is as good a time as any,” Steele said.

Maren whirled around, letting one of Rachel’s hands drop, to see Steele standing right behind her. His hand went to her nape, his fingers wrapping around it while his thumb caressed the spot right behind her ear.

“Everyone already wants to hug you and tell you how glad they are you’re back. We may as well tell everyone the good news so they don’t have to hug you all over again.”

His tone was dry, and it amused her that he sounded so uncomfortable with all the hugging and emotion being flung around. She slipped to his side, accepting the warmth of his hold when he dropped his arms over her shoulders.

“I’m ready when you are,” she whispered.

“You sure?” Steele asked. “I don’t mind who knows. I’d tell the world. But I want to make sure you’re comfortable with this.”

“As long as you’re right here beside me, I can take on anything, Steele.”

“Bet your ass,” he murmured, right before he leaned down and kissed her right in front of everyone.

When Maren pulled away, she felt a little goofy and she was sure she was wearing an even goofier smile.

Rusty had a total deer-in-the-headlights look. Rachel’s mouth was gaping open and Ethan just looked confused. He stared at Steele as though aliens had invaded his body. She had to admit, it had taken her quite some time to adjust—and she was still adjusting—to the differences in Steele’s demeanor when he was around her.

As her gaze swept the rest of the crowd, she saw similar reactions there. Everything from amusement to disbelief. Grace and Rio were both present and Grace looked smug. She had a knowing smile, and then she turned to Rio with her palm upward in a clear “pay up” gesture.

She didn’t even want to know what that was all about.

She tucked her hand into Steele’s and let him lead her back to the spot where Sam stood against the house. Steele turned to face the others, his hand still securely around Maren’s.

He didn’t have to ask for attention. Everyone had gone dead silent the moment he’d kissed her. And now all eyes were on them as they waited for what Steele had to say.

“Maren is pregnant and she’ll be having our child in about five months time.”

Never one to mince words, that much was certain.

Maren braced herself for the reaction. It was actually quite comical. No one was staring at her in the least. Every eye was on Steele, and the expressions were priceless. She wished she had a camera to record the reactions.

Then the silence was broken as everyone began talking at once. Beside them, Sam looked stupefied. It was obvious he wanted to say something to Steele, whether it was to congratulate him or something else, but his eyes were blank and his lips stayed parted as he stared at both Maren and Steele.

And then Steele’s team pushed to the front and surrounded her and Steele. P.J. was the first to hug Maren. The rest of the team fist-bumped with Steele and made several cracks about Daddy Steele and raising little kick-ass ninjas. P.J. offered sniper lessons while Baker and Renshaw argued over who best would teach the baby about explosives.

“Not trying to be rude, Baker, but um, I’m thinking you aren’t the best instructor for anything having to do with explosives,” Maren said dubiously.

The team cracked up and immediately started giving Baker shit about getting too close to the explosives.

“This is going to change things,” Cole said, drawing his words out. He’d said it in a quieter tone so it didn’t carry to the others, but his team heard and acknowledged it with grim nods of their heads.

“It does change things,” Steele said. “I’m not going to discuss it right here and now, though. I’d like to have you all out to the house tomorrow where we can talk without thirty other people present.”

They all acknowledged his declaration with a nod and then moved back so the others could swarm in with their well-wishes.

Maren hadn’t yet met the two newest members of KGI, and she was delighted that P.J. was no longer the only female member of the organization.

Skylar was more bubbly and outgoing than P.J., and she had an infectious smile that immediately put people at ease. Edge was her polar opposite. Big—like whoa big—and stony looking. Quiet and definitely reserved. He wasn’t bad looking at all. If you went for the strong, silent type, then this guy would be right up your alley.