to calm the tremors running through her. “Would you be alright with living at Andrea’s for a while?”
Her eyes widened, blinking like she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Um, yes. Yes, I would. She was even asking if I wanted to stay in one of her spare rooms…”
“I’ll have Gunner and some of his guys move your things from Big G’s house. The kids, too. Only the essentials, though. Whatever you’re taking with you on the move.”
“And,” she breathed, “what about after we’re moved?”
“That’ll depend on where we end up,” Reaper sighed. “But I’ll keep guys posted on you if you feel unsafe. No one will force you to be near him, if you don’t want that.”
“He will want time with the kids, though,” I pointed out. “And as much as I hate to admit it, he has a right to.”
“I’m not even thinking that far ahead.” Tessa rubbed her forehead. “I just want some fucking space for a couple weeks. To help my friend. To remind him of what it’s like to not have me there doing everything.”
“You have our support,” Reaper assured her. “No matter what you decide. Whether you’re with him or not, you’re one of our own, Tessa. You’re raising three baby Demons, after all.”
“In more ways than one,” she muttered, then gave Reaper a relieved smile. “Thank you, Reaper. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how this was going to go.”
“This is the first time it’s happened in the club,” he admitted. “But it’s not right for him to scare you and trap you in your house. I don’t think any of the guys would disagree.”
Tessa rose from the chair and held her arms out to take Vivi back from me. “Again, thank you.”
“Go on straight to Andrea’s,” Reaper said. “I’ll have Gunner and his guys escort you back to gather your things.”
She nodded and left the study quietly, with a small smile back at me. Reaper and I just stood there for a moment, sitting with the weight of what she told us.
I broke the silence after a heavy few seconds. “Are you going to do anything to Big G?”
“I’ll talk to him.” Reaper rounded his desk in search of his cigarettes and lighter.
I stared at him. “That’s it?”
“What do you want me to do, sugar? She said he didn’t put hands on her. He was acting like an asshole. Guess what, he is an asshole. That’s not news to anyone.” He stuck the black cigarette in his mouth, but didn’t light it, choosing to flick his Zippo open and closed instead. “Hopefully the mere threat of losing his woman and kids is enough to make him act right.” He finally lit the smoke and dragged deeply, exhaling with a dreamy smile.
“What’s that look for?” I asked.
“Just thinking about you holding that baby.” He approached me, grabbing my shirt at the waist with his free hand to pull me closer. “When are we gonna make some, sugar?”
“No sooner than three years, when my birth control expires,” I said. “And this,” I snatched the cigarette from his hand, taking a quick suck before returning it to him, “can not be around me while I’m pregnant.”
“Hm, making me give up my vices already.” His eyes danced with amusement, bringing it back to his lips.
“Do it outside. On the balcony, I don’t care. But the second I find out I’m pregnant, I can’t be inhaling your smoke.”
He grinned, turning to ash out the cigarette in the glass tray on the desk. “A lot can change in three years, sugar. That’s plenty of time to kick a habit.”
“We’ll see.” I crossed my arms, the skepticism plain on my face.
“Now whiskey, on the other hand,” he pulled me into his chest by my belt loops, “I draw a line there,” he said with mock seriousness.
“We’ll talk when you’re up at all hours of the night, changing diapers and bottle-feeding,” I retorted.
“Have you forgotten you have three men?” he laughed. “We’ll be rotating shifts, baby. You won’t have to do a thing but whip these gorgeous tits out.”
He pawed at my breasts, leaning down to kiss my chest with a groan while I laughed and shoved him away. “You animal.”
“Seriously, sugar.” He stood upright, wrapping me in a protective embrace. “I want a family with you, and I’m here for all of it. Late nights, exploding diapers, projectile vomiting, banshee screaming, the whole thing.”
I laughed, nuzzling into his chest. “Okay, at first I thought a baby sounded nice, then you said