Into the Blackness (Blackness Series Book 4) (37 page)

She’s met with stark silence. I’m in awe.

“If there’s nothing else, I believe you should see yourselves out,” Shannon finishes fiercely. “And Officer Burke, heed my advice. If you come near my clients again for any reason without cause, I’ll come after your badge.”

He flares angry eyes at her until Nick and Dylan take a step toward him. That causes the punk to pale to a shade matching the idiots behind him.

“Time to go,” Nick growls.

The five of them turn swiftly and head to the front door, Nick and Dylan following with menacing glares on their faces. When they’re out of sight I wrap my arms around Shannon as hard as I can.

“I’m so fuckin’ sorry,” she murmurs into my hair. “That was my fault. I wanted to draw them outta the woodwork with the financial threat. I should’ve told you and Nicky about it. I didn’t think they’d have the balls to show up here with a dirty cop. I’m sorry, Kat.”

“Nothing to be sorry for. You were lookin’ out for my boys,” I assure her softly.

I release her from my grasp and pull Cole and Dane into my arms.

“You okay?” I mumble into their hair.

“We’re good. Aunt Shanny had that shit under control. And Uncle Dylan was about to smash Junior Burke’s face in,” Cole says with a chuckle.

I chuckle along with him. They’re okay.

“My turn,” Nick announces at my side.

I release our boys and fold myself into Dylan’s arms. He holds my body so snugly I can barely draw a decent breath.

“Get off my wife, Kellerman,” Nick growls in a teasing tone.

“Payback’s a bitch,” Dylan snickers squeezing me harder before letting me go.

“What was that about?” Nick asks Shannon as he pulls her into a brief hug, smirking at Dylan. These men are ridiculous.

“When you told me they pulled financial support I submitted a motion to reinstate the trusts. That money is technically the boys’. It was accruing interest and set in place while they were still in their custody. That money should go to the boys. I figured it would give us the opportunity to push the biological parents off permanently when you told me they were posturing to try to get the boys back. I didn’t anticipate them rolling in here with Officer Douche to try and steal the kids. I’m sorry, Nicky. I was tryin’ to help.”

We got word a few days ago that the Ashcrofts and Benningtons were making moves to try and get custody back. Shane assured us that wouldn’t happen, but I told Shannon about it. I guess she decided to fix it on her own. I don’t care that those idiots showed up here. Shannon just scared the shit out of them and I’m confident they’ll go away for good now. They don’t love the boys. This was about money and them trying to get custody was about saving face in
Stepford
.

“You did good, Shanny. Scared the shit out of ’em too. I don’t think we’ll hear from them or Officer Douche again,” Nick compliments.

“Aunt Shanny,” Dane says tentatively as we all congregate around the breakfast bar.

“Yeah?”

“You’re kinda scary when you’re pissed.”

“I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m sorry. I would never treat you boys that way.”

“I wasn’t scared of you…it was just scary. Kinda like Mom gets scary.”

“I told you we’re a lot alike, Dane. Shannon was just keeping you safe,” I say softly pulling him into my arms as I sit on a stool. He steps between my legs and folds himself into my chest, breathing me in. I return the sentiment, burying my face is his messy dirty blond locks.

When Johnny starts crying on the baby monitor Jake jumps up from his stool, beating Shannon and Dylan to the punch. I guess Jake has dibs on Johnny.

“Hey, buddy,” Jake’s grunts filter through the monitor. I’m sure he’s lifting the sizeable baby.

Johnny starts giggling and spitting as Jake makes his way down the stairs. When Jake comes back in the room it’s the cutest sight I’ve ever seen. He’s holding Johnny up to his face and tickling the baby’s belly with his mouth. Johnny squeals and kicks in pure heaven. Jake walks past us all before sitting on his stool and plopping the baby on the bar in front of him. I see the sparks of love between the two and it warms my soul.

Shannon pulls out her phone and starts snapping pictures as the other boys jump in on the action. I move to stand up and get hit with a dizzy spell, flopping back onto my stool but not before Dylan notices. I try to smile it off. It doesn’t work.

“Cooper, your woman needs a hand,” he points out.

Nick looks over at me with a scowl before stalking toward me.

“What’s wrong?”

“Just a little dizzy. I need to lie down.”

He scoops me to his chest before I finish talking. I don’t get the opportunity to talk to anyone as Nick carries me up the stairs to our bed. I sigh in relief as my body hits the cool sheets. I’m so thankful the boys bought me these sweats for Christmas. They’ll be my new uniform.

“Thanks,” I mumble as Nick pulls the duvet up to my chin.

“I wanna climb in there with you, but I need to make some calls and spend some time with the boys. Text me if you need me. Don’t get up on your own,” he orders.

“’Kay.”

I close my eyes and fall asleep before he leaves the room.

I wake up as warm muscled arms engulf my body from behind. I snuggle my hips against Nick and interlace our fingers over the home of our baby. We both missed the first sonogram. I was unconscious in the emergency room and Nick was in the waiting room while they did the scan. We’ll go next week for another one once I’m feeling better. At least we have a due date now, August fourteenth.

“Hey,” Nick whispers against my hair.

“Hey.”

“Feeling better after your nap?”

“Yeah. My head doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“I need to get some food in you. Just wanted to hold you for a few minutes,” he says breathing deeply.

“Everything okay?”

“Shanny has the house under control. Don’t worry.”

“I’m so glad she’s here. I wish Jess and Shane were here too. It’s nice to be able to rest and know you’re all taken care of.”

“I’m glad she’s here too. You wanna talk about sending the boys away. We haven’t really had the chance to talk about that.”

“Nothing to talk about. They need to go. Jess and Shane work so we can’t send them there. Shannon’s at home and has a house full of help. It’s the best place for them to go. I don’t wanna send ’em away. I fuckin’ hate this. I feel guilty that we involved them in this op. But I can’t imagine not having them now. So we have to do what’s right. They have to go.”

“I know. You wanna tell me what happened with Patricia?”

“The doorbell rang and Sawyer went to answer it. We were down in the basement. She came in the room with her gun at Sawyer’s head. I launched at her, but she was like fighting ten people at once. Next thing I know I’m waking up in the hospital.”

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs into neck before kissing the sensitive skin.

“Nothing to apologize for, Nicky. You came and got us. That’s all that matters.”

I roll to face him. His deep brown eyes carry equal amounts of worry and promise of violence. I don’t think we’ll be able to keep up the front of
Stepford
anymore. It’s time to get creative and I have the best partner for just that.

“You’re gonna have to quit lookin’ at me like that,” Nick grumbles.

“Like what?” I feign innocence.

“I’m not having sex with you until the doctor clears you. So quit.”

“I don’t recall the discharge orders requiring celibacy.”

I run my hands up his chiseled torso before looping them around his neck, pulling his face down to me. I press a soft kiss to his warm lips and wait for him to take over. He always takes over. I work my mouth against his as my tongue tickles the seam of his. He growls in his chest, rumbling against my tender breasts before opening his mouth and taking over. We make out like teenagers exploring each other’s faces, necks and ears until we’re both panting with desire.

I make the move and grab his throbbing dick through his jeans. He snatches my wrist before I can stroke him once.

“Don’t,” he growls.

I huff and release him. He’s got more willpower than I do.

“Now you’re pissed,” he says with a smirk on his lips.

“No, I love bein’ rejected by the man I love after goin’ without for a month and a half. It’s great,” I snark.

“Kat,” he breathes out in defeat.

I roll my eyes and remove myself from his arms. I’m going total chick here and I don’t care. I want his hands on me, his mouth devouring me and his dick inside me. I’m not above using guilt to get it.

I thud down the stairs to find Shannon in the kitchen cooking up a storm alone.

“Hey lady,” she calls over her shoulder until she sees the look on my face. “What?”

“Men,” I huff, saddling up beside her.

“Tell me about it,” she says with a snicker.

I take over chopping duties for her while Shannon continues at the stove.

“He won’t have sex with me,” I complain as I assault some potatoes.

“Why?”

“Because of my head.”

“Kel went down on me while I was still in the hospital last year. Best fuckin’ thing in the world. In a coma one minute, comin’ like crazy the next.”

“Stop bragging,” I groan.

We both chuckle and fall into friendly conversation like we’ve known each other for years. It feels like we have.

“Hey pussy,” Shannon calls out as Nick and Dylan stroll in the room.

“I know she’s not talkin’ to me,” Dylan says through a deep chuff.

“I’m not talkin’ to you, Kel. You’re not afraid to fuck me.”

“Jesus Christ, Kat. Really?” Nick groans in annoyance.

“I’m just talkin’ to my friend.”

“Your friend has a limited brain to mouth filter.”

“No, I don’t,” Shanny says pointedly. “She’s not gonna break. Kel went down—”

“I don’t wanna know,” Nick says putting his hands up to stop her.

“You
are
a pussy. Who knew the big bad Nick Cooper was really just a little bitch?”

“Are you really tryin’ to bully me into havin’ sex with Kat?”

“Yup.”

“I knew you two would be trouble. Fine. Come on, Kat,” he orders holding a hand out to me.

“No, that’s okay. Shannon’s filled me up vicariously. Dylan, I’m really—”

I’m cut off as Nick hauls me over his shoulder, stalking toward the stairs.

“Caveman carrying should always be a last resort,” Shannon yells as Nick runs up the stairs two at a time.

He kicks the door shut and flicks the lock before lying me down on the bed gently. His eyes meet mine and are anything but tender. He’s pissed and horny, desire washing over me. This should be interesting.

Nick

I drink in the sight of Kat’s golden locks spread across the pillow. It looks better than I imagined it would the first time I saw her. It’s even more intoxicating with her blue-green-grey eyes sparkling with want. I’ve just been bullied into fucking the woman I love. I’m pissed. I’m tired. I’m so fucking horny I feel like I’m fifteen again. This is not how I wanted to do this.

I strip Kat quickly trying to be careful with her. I’m out of my clothes even faster. I cover her body with mine before pulling her hard nipple into my mouth. She hisses and pulls away from my mouth.

“Sore,” she apologizes.

“Sorry.”

I leave her tits alone and travel south. I kiss and worship her soon to be not so flat stomach, causing goosebumps to rise on her skin. Moving further down, I’m elated to find her dripping wet and quivering beneath me. I pull her hips to my face and feast, spearing my tongue in her hole, lapping her juices. As her legs constrict around my ears I move to her clit, flicking rapidly. She begins to quake with her orgasm as I release her from my mouth and before she can complain I plunge my dick inside her.

She screams.

She comes with such force she almost pushes me out of her. She rips and tugs at my back devouring my mouth as I thrust forward fast and hard. Another orgasm rips through her throat almost immediately. I growl into her mouth pushing deeper, my hips grinding against hers.

Kat’s eyes roll back in her head as she releases my mouth. She silently mouths yes over and over again as she comes again, her pussy clutching my cock. Pregnancy is making her more responsive than she was before.