“It’s not my place to come between you and your family. I just would like your permission to honour my agreement to him. I think they have a right to know they are officially grandparents.”
Nicole twisted back and forth with the baby and gave him a nod.
“Thank you. I need to contact Alex as well. Tell her I’m ok.”
“I’m sorry you didn’t get a chance to see her before you left.”
A crash made them both turn. Only Nick recognised the feet sticking out from under a small pile of rubble in the wall. Alicia sat back down at the table, wringing her hand slightly, as Lee Nightingale picked himself up and dusted himself off. He caught Nick’s gaze and shrugged, “Lesbian.”
Nick pieced together what he had attempted to do and shook his head.
“He’s a…colourful character,” Nicole said, placing her head on his shoulder.
“He’s a lunatic, but I don’t think we would’ve won without him,” he replied, kissing her. Nicole turned into him and placed her forehead on his chest.
“I don’t know if this is our second chance or still continuing the first but I don’t care. I don’t want to ruin it. I don’t want to lose you ever again.”
He brought their foreheads together. “We have so many things to work out…”
“I know…”
“Where are we going to live? We still aren’t safe here. I’m still wanted there.”
“I don’t care where we live.”
“Your career, your studies. I know they are important to you.”
“Yes, they are. I haven’t given up on having it, despite everything. But you know what’s more important to me? My boys.” She stroked his cheek. “My pack.”
Nick kissed the hand she touched him with and placed it on his chest.
“This,” he said, “is where I always want to be. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know I’m here for you for as long as you want me to be.”
Nicole lowered her gaze and appeared to inhale him, running her nose across his chin. “Does forever work for you?”
“It’s a start,” he replied before she went on tiptoe and brought his face in to hers, opening her mouth around his and breathing him in as she kissed him.
Chapter Forty-One
Two Little Girls In Blue
Later that night, Alicia prepped for bed, reflecting on all that had happened in the last few hours. Deacon had been put to bed; Nick and Nicole and had been sleeping soundly for over an hour. She anticipated the baby would wake soon for a feed, but Nicole had been through so much, Alicia would let mum and dad sleep. Nicole had pumped a bottle of breast milk and Alicia stored it in her own fridge just in case.
This was life now. A grandmother. An Alpha. She had been asked to take on a tremendous responsibility, one she never truly wanted or asked for, but she was ready. This was her chance to make a fresh start. To make this pack her own. She would start by weeding out those who couldn’t be trusted. Tynan’s men, were all too quick to surrender. While their numbers meant her pack was of a considerable size, their eagerness to join her was alarming. So much for loyalty.
Alicia turned to her wall, as if peering through it, hearing Deacon wake. “I got it,” she said as if to herself.
“You sure?” came the whisper back. She heard it as if from right next to her, but in fact, it had come through the wall from Nick.
She warmed the bottle as she replied just as evenly as before. “You’ll both have plenty of sleepless nights. Lemme take this one…”
She had headed out of her room and into the corridor, bottle in hand, when the baby quieted. She paused, wondering whether to go back inside, thinking the boy had settled himself. But no, from his room came a sound she hadn’t expected. Singing. Alicia walked forward and peered into the room, finding her grandson in Nightingale’s arms. Her first instinct was to run and snatch him away, but the vampire held him with such gentle strength it stunned her. Shirtless, illuminated only by moonlight, his blonde hair swept to cascade down the side of his face not seen. The red eyes that chilled Alicia gazed down into Deacon’s who looked back at the vampire with no hint of fear or concern. In fact, the baby looked quite at peace, listening to Nightingale’s voice, being rocked and sung to.
She couldn’t believe the same person that annihilated soldier after soldier, butchered them without a second thought, would be singing Two Little Girls in Blue to her grandson. The very same song Alicia had sung to Nick as a baby. It wasn’t just the song choice or his nurturing manner. It was the ease with which his voice glided over the words. The control, and the quiet, bold power. She watched him place Deacon back into the bassinet, continuing to soothe the baby for another minute.
She waited until the tall figure walked calmly out of the room. “Were you always good with kids?” she whispered.
“I’ve always liked ‘em. Would’ve killed for a daughter. Spoiled her rotten…”
“I find that hard to believe. Someone that loves death and destruction so much.”
“Ya might’ve had as much blood on your hands yesterday if you could keep up…”
Alicia took a step forward and slowly crossed her arms, bottle still in hand. She was only in eye line with his chest and had to look up at him. “Oh really, is that so…Big Dog?”
Nightingale looked down at her and wore a smirk. “Yeah, that’s so…granny.”
“Watch it. I haven’t had a good one on one in ages.”
Nightingale looked at her up and down slowly. “I can tell. You’re wound like a top. Ya need a release.”
“If by release,
