Taking Shots (Assassins, #1)(24)

“I’m sorry,” she said taking a step back, “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” He smiled as he pulled her back to him.

“It’s called chemistry, baby, and we’ve got it. Now give me a kiss goodnight, but not a naughty one,” he said with a grin. She smiled and kissed him softly on the lips.

“Thanks again for dinner and the movie. I had so much fun.”

“Yeah, that stuff was fun, but what just happened here…Jesus.” He gave her a cocky grin as he walked down the steps. She waved as he got into the truck; he waved back before starting the truck and backing out.

“Well, that was intense,” she muttered to herself as she went inside.





Between practice, promos, and not being able to see Elli, he missed her the rest of the week. She was right when she said she would be busy for the next two days. Not only did they not get to talk much, but she apparently stayed with Harper since she was so tired after all the events, so they didn’t get to talk on her way home. He was going to offer his house to her because he wanted to see her so bad, but he was afraid it would scare her, so he didn’t.

Saturday morning, while he ate breakfast after running on the treadmill for an hour, he decided that it was a decent time to text Elli, so he did.

Hey, whatcha up to?

Hey you! About to get the kids, then heading to the Rising Park. It’s the kid’s favorite.

Oh yeah, she had her nieces and nephews today. He had totally forgotten about that.

Cool, have fun. I guess text me when you can.

I will. ?

Shea laid his phone down as he cleaned up his mess, he wanted to see her today, but he couldn’t invite himself to her day with the kids. It would be awkward for him to be there when she has all the kids. When he turned to put the milk back in the fridge, he saw Ryan and Amelia smiling at him from the picture on his fridge. A slow grin crossed his face as he looked at their beautiful faces.

“But if I had the kids it wouldn’t be weird at all,” he muttered as he rushed off to the bedroom to get ready.





Shea knew he was driving like a bat out of hell, but he was on a mission. He should have called Grace first, but that would give her time to say no, so he pulled into her driveway and parked the truck beside her van, before jumping out and walking briskly to the front door, letting himself in.

“Hey! Anyone home?” he yelled through the house. Ryan came running towards him, his arms opened wide.

“Unky Shea!” he yelled as Shea picked him up, kissing his cheek.

“Hey, bud, where’s momma?”

“In the kitchen.”

“Wanna go to the park with me?” he asked. Ryan grinned big, his blue eyes bright.

“Yes! Can we play hockey?”

“Maybe, we’ll see, okay?”

“Okay, put me down, I’m gonna go get my bag.”

“Don’t bring your ice skates!”

“I won’t!” he yelled back as Shea entered the kitchen. Grace sat at the table, her face on her arms with her eyes closed. Amelia sat in the highchair, playing with a puzzle.

“What do you want?” Grace muttered. She looked so tired.

“You’re kids. I’m borrowing them.” Grace sat up, looking at him through half lidded eyes.

“Huh?”

“I’m taking the kids to the park.”

“Why?”

“Cause you need time to yourself. I’ll bring them back later.”

“Huh?”

“You heard me. Where’s Amelia’s bag?”

“By the door. When will you be back?”

“Sometime later.” He unhooked Amelia’s chair, and took the smiling baby in his arms. “Hey, baby girl.”

“Unky!” she squealed as she smacked his face. “Go, Go!”

“We’re going, okay, give me your keys.”

“Why?” Grace asked looked up at him, confused.

“I don’t have car seats, so I’m gonna take the van. I left my keys in the basket.”

“Huh? I’m so confused. You never take the kids.”

“You’re tired Grace, sleep.” He walked away with Amelia in his arms. He grabbed her bag as Ryan came booming down the hall in his Assassins’ gear, Shea’s face on his shirt, with his number on the back. Ryan was his biggest fan.

“I’m ready, Unky.”

“Alright, kiddo, let’s go.”

“Did James put you up to this?” Grace asked as she kissed Amelia then Ryan.

“No, just please promise me you’ll sleep today. Love you.”

“Love you too,Shea, thank you.” Shea threw her a grin as he left with the kids.

After loading the kids in the van, he had to push the seat all the way back so he’d fit before rolling out. It only took ten minutes to get to the park and thank God for that because Ryan was talking nonstop. From hockey to baby poo to the Wiggles, whatever the hell that was. When he pulled into the park, he didn’t see Elli’s truck, maybe she had left? He pulled out his phone and dialed her number.

“Hello,” she answered, he heard kids in the background.

“Hey, you still at the park?”

“Yup, we’ll be here for a while.”