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Watching her walk into that space for the first time… She didn’t say much—just stood there in the doorway, looking around slowly, fingers brushing the edge of the desk.

Then she turned toward me with that look—soft, surprised, a little overwhelmed. Like she didn’t expect to be thought of like that.

It’s Wednesday afternoon, and I’ve just wrapped up practice.

Our brothers are still in London, and along with them, and Theo, and Aiden, and Chase, we're heading out to see a huge piece of land we’ve been looking into.

Yeah, all of us.

Why?

Because somehow along the way, we realized this is what we want. To stay close. To build something lasting—not just homes, but lives. Families that grow up side by side. Chaos and loyalty and shared dinners and yelling over whose kids stole whose toy. All of it.

We’ve been through too much together not to choose this—intentionally, this time. Not by blood. By bond.

And this land? It’s the start of that vision.

Hmm… Did I forget someone?

Yeah… Colt.

He’s already there, waiting for us. Because of course—it was Colt who found the land. Colt who handled everything so we could buy it.

He’s part of our circle. Mob or not, that doesn’t change. He’s earned his place, and he’s not going anywhere. But he’d do well to remember one thing—he needs to keep his distance from Sierra. That line? It’s not blurry. Not negotiable. And not something I’m ever going to joke about.

We arrive at the site—all of us standing at the edge of the massive land that stretches out in front of us, as far as the eye can see.

“So… are we really doing this?” Theo asks beside me.

I keep my eyes on the horizon and nod once. Steady. Certain.

“Yeah. We really are.” A deep breath. This is it. “Let’s start to build our lives.”

And just like that, it all began.

One month later, the entire land has been cleared, prepped for construction, and divided into twelve equal plots.

The footprints of the houses are already marked, and building has officially started.

Sierra doesn’t know a thing. And I want to keep it that way—until it’s all finished. Until every house is standing. Until I can take her there and show her everything we’ve built. Everything waiting for her. For us.

“Nick, are you ready for the game? Got everything you need?” she calls out from the kitchen.

“Yeah, baby. All set,” I call back from the living room, getting up and walking toward her. “Can’t wait for that one-week break.”

“Same,” she says, meeting me halfway, rising on her toes to wrap her arms around my neck. “Everything feels like the honeymoon again these days—just us. But I can’t wait to see you play tonight.”

“Oh, yeah?” I tease, letting my breath graze her skin. “What else are you waiting for?”

“Hmm… maybe a good fuck before you leave?” she says with the most innocent expression I’ve ever seen on a woman about to wreck me.

“Jesus.” I groan, already half hard. “You always know how to get me worked up in seconds.”

I lift her into my arms and walk toward the kitchen island, setting her down but keeping one leg around my waist.

“Right here? Right now?” I whisper against her lips.

“Right now. Please.”