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Pepper settles beneath my chin, and we lie together while my knot eases slowly. I clean Pepper first, then Ezra, bringing warm cloths and fresh water from the bathroom.
Pepper watches with sleepy approval. “Daddy energy remains undefeated.”
Ezra laughs loud and bright. “Daddy Theo has a certain kind of sexiness to it.”
I tuck blankets around both of them, pretending I can’t hear their daddy jokes. I don’t know if I can ever admit how much I love taking care of them both.
Pepper catches my wrist before I can leave the nest to check the doors.
“One round,” I say.
“Zero.”
“The grave is open.”
“Wes has deputies there,” she says.
“The records are downstairs.”
“Locked in the cabinet.”
“The feeds.”
“Are on Ezra’s tablet.”
Ezra reaches across her and turns the screen toward me. All clear.
Pepper pats the blanket beside her. “Come back to bed.”
My alpha instincts point out every reason I should remain awake and make sure they’re safe. I force them down and join them.
Pepper curls against my chest. Ezra settles along my other side and drapes one leg over mine. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted and pray I get to keep.
Chapter 36
Ezra Heron
Pepper is in my lap before Theo finishes carrying breakfast into the living room. She climbs onto me sideways, curls still damp from her morning shower, clean pajamas hidden beneath his black sweatshirt, and both bare feet tucked beneath her thigh. I close my arms around her, and she settles against me.
“Better,” I say.
Pepper tilts her face toward mine. “Than what?”
“The antique-chair sitting you were doing yesterday.”
“I was being considerate.”
“You were distributing your weight like my lap came with a warning label.”
She shifts until her head fits beneath my chin. “I’m reckless sitting. You’re welcome.”
“Perfect.”
My body is solid beneath her. For now.
Theo sets Pepper’s tea on the coffee table, places coffee within reach of my left hand, and keeps the last mug for himself. The dark circles beneath his eyes say he didn’t sleep as deeply as he pretended.
He crouches beside us.
