Chapter 55
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
ROWAN
Crew and Asher drop into the seats across from me.
Before Camilla came along, I’d probably only seen Crew in anything other than a suit two or three times since their rise to power, but finding love has softened some of his sharp edges, and seeing him sit across from me in sweatpants and a Henley is a nice change.
Sometimes I forget how long we’ve been friends, and that Asher grew up with Bishop and Kaos, and later Kovu. We’ve come such a long way from pedaling drugs to make ends meet to where we are now, and sometimes it feels like that was another life altogether.
“You look happy,” I say, the words slipping out without permission.
Despite knowing each other for most of our lives, we rarely talk about anything personal.
I suppose it’s a product of our age and generation, men always being discouraged from showing emotion, but maybe that’s where our kids have got it right.
“I am happy.” He nods, glancing toward the door, like he’ll somehow be able to see Camilla downstairs. “I thought I’d feel scared becoming a dad again, especially at this age, but I’m so ready for our little girl to be here.”
Asher squeezes his shoulder. “Plus, you’ll be able to guide the others. I can’t imagine Kovu has held many babies in his time.”
A laugh bursts out of Crew. “We went to visit Leighton not long after she had the baby, and I swear he’s never looked so awkward.
Camilla couldn’t stop laughing the entire time, so in preparation, he’s learned to swaddle everything in the house and regularly walks around with random things strapped to his chest.”
I snicker, the image painting itself in my mind.
“But they’ll all be fine. Once they hold our baby, everything will snap into place the same way it did for us when we held Bishop and Asher for the first time.”
“It’s different when it’s your own,” I agree.
Asher groans. “I can’t wait for Hannah to be pregnant.”
“Which is why we need to take care of Jeffrey, so we can start the rest of our lives,” I say. It might sound cheesy, but I’ve been thinking about a future with Hannah for years, and now she’s finally mine, I don’t want to wait any longer for the future I’ve dreamed of.
If Hannah decides she doesn’t want kids, that’s fine. But I want her to feel safe enough to make that choice, and that’s not going to happen until her grandfather is six feet under.
“Tell me what’s been happening.” Crew switches from family man to ruthless Mafia leader in the blink of an eye.
I detail everything that’s happened to this point. The date Jeffrey forced Hannah on. The calls she’s received, and the threats he made to Asher, before explaining the van that followed us last night.
Crew nods along, his brows dipping the further into the story we get. By the time I’m finished, his fists are clenched in his lap.
You can say what you want about the men of the Legion, but their most absolute rule is that innocent women and children are not used as pawns in the games of men.
“What do you need from us?”
“If possible, we need you guys to hold down the fort at the fights. I want to keep the three of us on lockdown for at least a few days to see what his next move is going to be before we make any rash decisions.”
“You got it. Kovu and Kaos are driving Camilla crazy, so it will be a good excuse to get them out of the house and out of her hair.”
“Not Bishop?” Asher asks with a smirk.
Crew shakes his head. “No, he seems to be the calm in her storm throughout this pregnancy, which is why we’re keeping him close to home as much as possible.
He’s the only one of us without a short fuse, and despite all being good in high-pressure situations, it seems that doesn’t extend to our wife and child. ”
“The perks of having so many people in one relationship.” I chuckle.
“You know it.” He laughs. “Take all the time you need to take care of this situation, and let us know if there’s anything else you need. Jeffrey Malone has always been a thorn in our side, and I will not miss him when he’s gone.”
“We appreciate the help.”
“I’ll put you guys down for babysitting duties once the baby comes as payment.” He smirks, and I can’t help but laugh.
A lot has changed since we were broke kids on the wrong side of the tracks, but one thing hasn’t, and that’s that we’ll always have each other’s backs.