No Love Lost (Masters & Mercenaries The Forgotten #5) - Lexi Blake Page 0,157

around the party and felt a deep satisfaction invading his bones. It hadn’t even been a day since Kim had chosen to give him another chance, but he felt like his whole world had changed from black and white to glorious color.

He’d gotten to take his family home the night before. All of them, since Kim was moving into his room—where she belonged—and that freed up a bed for his brother. They’d woken up this morning and had breakfast as a family. They’d gotten ready for the party and he and his brother had argued over the best Scotch to get for Ian’s birthday, and Kim had finally rolled her eyes and told him she was rethinking her position on more kids if they all fought like he and Ezra.

Then he’d pinned her to the bed and made her rethink her position all over again.

“Your kid looks like he’s fitting in nicely.” A hand patted his shoulder. Theo Taggart was wearing a pair of board shorts and a tank top, sunglasses over his eyes. He was ready for some fun in the sun. The lake house’s massive yard was filled with people eating and laughing and talking. There were a bunch of kids in the pool, and the bouncy house Tag had set up was rocking.

He was going to miss this family he’d made for himself, but he had to follow his heart and she wasn’t going to be happy here. He could be happy anywhere as long as they were together. “I think Roman is learning to make friends quite well. But I’m afraid he’s going to have to take that new talent and put it to use someplace else.”

Theo set his beer on the table as one of the kids giggled while going down the slide and hitting the water with a splash. “You’re not staying? Solo wants you to go back to Europe?”

“She’s Kim. Solo was her Agency name, and she’s not with the Agency anymore.” Across the pool, he saw his brother talking to Avery and Li. He was sitting on a chaise lounge. He had his brother back. He never thought he would see him again, but there he was with a smile on his face.

“Kim.” Theo nodded. “It suits her.”

“I wish you all would pick one name and stick to it.” Owen joined them. Rob and Ariel and their daughter had been staying at Theo and Erin’s place, Owen and Tucker at the Dean-Miles house, and Jax, River, and the kids were staying with Ian and Charlotte.

But now they were all at this gorgeous lake house Ian and Sean had purchased a few years before. It had become a regular weekend hangout for the whole crew. He came out a few times a year, and he’d always wanted to take Kim hiking. They weren’t far from the city here, but they were surrounded by nature, and she’d always loved to get away.

“I promise this is the last name change. We’re all going to stick to the ones we’ve got.” Although he intended to talk to Kim about Roman’s last name. Technically Roman shared a last name with her uncle. But he wanted them all to have the same last name. His. Hers. It didn’t matter as long as it was theirs.

Rob and Tucker walked up, Rob cradling his tiny baby girl in his arms. Jax was right behind them, and he was carrying a tray of what looked like shots.

“I heard you might be turning in your notice soon,” Rob said. “Tell me you’re coming to Europe. Come on, man. London is a great place to live.”

Tucker frowned his way. “You’re looking to buy a country house.”

Rob shrugged slightly. “Yeah, but only for the weekends. I could never get Ari out of the city. She likes to shop way too much. But I wouldn’t mind having another friend around. I’m the last one of us left in London.”

“I’m going to let Kim decide,” he admitted. “I’ll go wherever she wants, but she likes to travel and she hasn’t been able to for a couple of years, so I suspect we’ll see everyone from time to time.”

Jax set his tray down on the table. “You better show at family reunions. We’re going to Wyoming this year.”

“I already rented out our only decent hotel,” Tucker admitted. “All six rooms. I’m going to warn you. It used to be a whorehouse, and like way more recently than you would think.”

Beck laughed. “Kim will love it.”

Despite her money,