Scandalously Expecting His Child(69)
“Shut up, Brainiac.”
Numair’s silky command got a dismissive grunt from Jakob. But he did break off the visual duel with Raiden. Numair would always remain their commander. They’d entrusted their lives to him when they’d been children, and no matter how they changed or how powerful they grew, they’d always take orders from him, and he would always have the last say.
“What do you need us to do, Raiden?”
That was Rafael, probably his closest brother, and the one Raiden had been reluctant to call, since he was a newlywed with a baby on the way, too. Raiden hadn’t wanted to take him from Eliana’s side. After that memorable encounter with her before their wedding in Brazil, where they’d settled down, he had a permanent soft spot for Rafael’s bride. Eliana was also just the kind of friend he wanted for Scarlett.
“I want you to use every resource and connection at your disposal, call in all your favors and practice every pressure tactic to make sure it’s in the Yakuza’s best interests to forget Scarlett exists.”
Rafael was the one who nodded immediately. Raiden could see the others thinking of the logistics of his demand, wheels turning in their heads as they planned its execution.
Not that he even considered any of them would reject him. He knew they’d do all they could to help him. But he had to leave them in no doubt how grave the situation was.
“If I can’t be assured of her total and permanent security, I won’t only relinquish my identity and fake my death and hers, like we did before, but when we resurface, to make sure all of us remain safe from retaliations, I won’t even tell you as whom. You’ll never see me again.”
“And how can any of us live without your aggravation, Lightning?” That was Ivan, his tone teasing, but his eyes alarmed, unable to contemplate losing another of their own. Like they’d lost Cypher.
Richard added his vote. “You and Rafael are the only reason I put up with this group of weasels and your moose of a leader. I’d do anything to keep you around, lad.”
Richard’s comment was met with generalized snorts, before each man followed with his own pledge in his own way.
“Losing one of us, even pains in the neck—” Numair’s gaze singled out Jakob “—or extra baggage—” his gaze flicked to Richard “—is never an option.” He stopped, no doubt remembering how they’d lost one of their brothers before, and hadn’t been able to do anything about it. Cypher had disappeared without a trace. They all carried guilt that would never go away for their roles in his loss. Numair exhaled. “As for your beloved...”
“She’s my everything.” Raiden interjected forcefully. “And now she’s giving me even more than that. She’s carrying our miracle child.”
Looking gratefully again at Antonio, the one who’d given him the best news of his life, he explained what made their baby such a miracle. His brothers took a minute to digest the new info before they bombarded him with their teasing and congratulations.
He allowed himself those moments to accept yet another form of his brothers’ support, his heart stuttering at realizing he was beginning to feel like a proud—and insanely anxious—father.
Then came Numair’s summation, the decree they’d all abide by. “We would have scorched the earth for Scarlett, just because she’s yours. But now we know she almost sacrificed herself for you, and us by association, and we know what she suffered because of her sacrifice, what it almost cost her, and you, anyone daring to threaten her will pay. Long after they back down.” Numair looked around, getting corroborating nods from everyone. Nodding in turn, he drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair as he sat forward, as he used to when a direction was settled and it was time to drum out details. “Now let’s see how we’ll make the Yakuza offer to guard Scarlett and your baby with their lives, for life.”