Infinite Ties (All That Remains #3) by S. M. Shade Read Free Book Online

churning mind just won’t let me sleep. Joseph is snoring
almost instantly, and Airen regards him fondly. “I know men are infamous for
falling asleep after sex, but he could set a record. You’re lucky if he has
time to pull out first.”
    “Give him a break. Babysitting a crazy
woman is exhausting work.” I grin.
    “You aren’t crazy.”
    “So you admit he was babysitting?”
    “He was staying close, taking care of you.
We were worried.”
    “I know what you were thinking, and I’d
never kill myself. You should know I’d never do that to Lane or Carson.”
    His big hand grips my chin and lifts my
head to meet his gaze. Coal black eyes, burning with intensity, stare into mine
for a long minute. Unnerved by such probing scrutiny, my resolve crumbles, and
I have to look away, shamed by his silent reproof. “What about me, Abigail?
Would you do that to me? To Joseph?” His words are soft, but his tone is severe
as he swallows back his anger.
    They’d have each other, and plenty of
women would give up a limb to take my place, but I know better than to say
that. “I’m not going anywhere, so please stop worrying.”
    “Then stop thinking of yourself as
disposable. It breaks my heart and royally pisses me off. You’re precious to
me, irreplaceable. I love you.”
    “I know. I love you, too. More than you’ll
ever know. I’m fine, really. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just didn’t see this
coming.” Strong arms cradle me while my face finds refuge in his neck, my heart
comfort in his words.
     
    * * * *
     
    “Damn, boy. You’re almost as tall as me,”
Jon announces with a broad smile as he steps into the living room.
    Carson grins. “At least I was spared the
red hair.”
    “Got hit with the freckles, though.”
    Airen, Joseph, and I sit silently as Jon
pours on the charm. They laugh and talk for nearly an hour, skirting the big
questions I expected Carson to ask him. When Jon accompanies Carson to his room
to see his karate trophies, Joseph squeezes my knee. “I’ll keep an eye on them.
You can take care of Lane.” He leans against the hallway wall just outside
Carson’s room.
    Lane displays his adorable gap toothed
grin when I scoop him out of his crib. “That was a short nap,” I mumble,
changing his diaper while he twists and squirms. He’s a terror ever since he
started to walk. Let your guard down for one second, and he’ll tear the house
apart. He’s every bit as mischievous and stubborn as his father. And every bit
as beautiful. His midnight hair is soft and smooth, his eyes as dark as night.
Oh, he’ll be a heartbreaker someday.
    “Da!” he squeals when he spots Airen
standing at the fridge, filling his sippy cup with juice.
    Airen’s face lights up with joy and pride,
and he sweeps him up, tossing him in the air. “There’s my menace.” The sight of
them together, the reaction they have to one another can make me smile through
the worst of moments. He’s a daddy’s boy, and has Airen wrapped around his
finger. He tugs Airen’s hand, leading him to the big box of blocks in the
corner. They’re seated on the floor, surrounded by their creations when Jon and
Carson return to the living room.
    Jon cocks an eyebrow at me. “He your boy?”
    “Yes, his name is Lane.” Upon hearing his
name, Lane grins up at Jon.
    Dragging his arrogant gaze from Lane to
Airen, Jon smirks. “No need for a DNA test on that one.”
    Joseph laughs. “He’s cut right out of his
daddy’s ass,” he agrees, taking a seat beside me on the couch. Airen’s look is
quizzical when he regards me. Of course they don’t realize his comment was an
insult, not an observation. A reference to the fact that I had to have a DNA
test performed on Carson, but they don’t know that. Just a cheap jab to remind
me he holds all the cards.
    He turns to Carson. “I saw your horseshoe
pit. Are you any good?”
    “I can kick your ass.” Carson grins.
    “Let’s do it.” They head out the door.
    “Don’t take