“I got it, V.”
“Okay. They don’t go anywhere without a crew surrounding them,” he confirmed once more.
“Got it.”
“Okay.”
“When Nika gives you the green light, who will you take on?” Alek asked, trying to lighten the mood.
His long-suffering sigh filled the room, the expression on his face echoing it. “You think I’ve been dragging Alesio around for the past few months because he’s good company? No. He’s a fuckin’ pain-in-the-ass who talks too much and needs to can it with the ladies. But he’s at my back because as time goes on, he reminds me more and more of my boss. When my redhead’s belly begins to swell, I’ll have my shit taken care of. No worries there.” He snagged Lekzi’s foot where it was kicking Alek in the stomach over and over. “I better see some hanging shit on that ultrasound or Nika’s gonna be sleeping beside a jacked up Gandalf for the rest of her life. Think white’s my color?”
Maks made a sound deep in his throat. “Doesn’t matter if it’s a boy or girl, shit happens to everyone. But we’re not going to let anyone get to our newbies. Never again.” He gently patted Lekzi’s head and left.
“He has to let go of that guilt.” Gabriel took his turn touching the baby’s head. What was it with her head? “I don’t know what’s getting to him more; Tegan’s sitch or Andrew’s. Think she’ll cry if I hold her?”
“I doubt it.” Alek carefully handed her over. She latched onto Gabriel’s collar and rubbed her head into his chin as she sucked on her wrist. “I think she’s getting hungry.”
“I think she’s fuckin’ adorable,” the soon-to-be-father murmured. “Feels more solid than I expected.”
“She sure seems to react well to strangers.” Alek frowned, not sure if that was a good or bad thing. “What’s happening with Andrew?”
They all looked over when heavy footsteps sounded before Maks barged back in. “Knew you’d start a discussion, you fucking gossips. Andy’s having nightmares and he doesn’t want to return to his school after the Christmas break because the kids know he was snatched from there, and he’s embarrassed that he allowed it to happen.” He fell into the rocking chair and pushed hard enough that he’d have toppled backward if he wasn’t carrying close to two-eighty on his six-foot-seven frame. “Can you believe that? He’s embarrassed. How do I fix that? Seriously. You’re standing there like a bunch of monkeys. I’m asking you how I help that kid get over feeling like he is. I don’t deal enough with embarrassment to be able to coach him. V? You?” He tipped his chin at Alek. “G, you must have some advice.”
“Think he’s aware he just insulted all three of us in one breath?” Gabriel asked dryly before giving an answer. “If you want to learn about changing behavior, ask Quan. If he can’t help; his sister’s a child psychologist. He can pick her brain.”
“She practice in New York?” Maks asked, all ears.
“No. Vancouver.”
He waved his hand as if swatting at a fly. “That’s helpful.”
“I thought so.” G grinned when Lekzi jabbered. She’d soaked the shoulder of his shirt by sucking on it. “Right? He’s an ungrateful fuck. But you’ll get used to him. Now, onto you. Maybe dad can tell us how you came about. Did mom really have the balls to keep you from him?” His eyes were serious when they met Alek’s. “What are you going to do with that?”
“What would you do?” Alek asked curiously. He was thinking his methods of dealing—bone-rattling sex with the dishonest mother of his child—were working out pretty good. But maybe he was wrong. After last night, he was finding his resentment fading fast. Though it had lived hot and healthy when he’d walked into the kitchen this morning. Goddamn triggers.
After feeling slightly panicked when he’d woken to find his bed empty of the warm body he’d had pressed against him all night, he’d showered in the already wet cubical, which proved he wasn’t far behind, thrown on some clothes, and hoofed it downstairs. He’d entered the kitchen to sounds of baby-speak competing with Sacha talking about the children she cared for every day. Lekzi had been in her highchair with Yana sitting next to her; a wide grin plastered on her wrinkled face. Sacha had sat two feet away scooping something orange into the baby’s mouth. Vasily had been at the head of the table, sipping his coffee. He’d had the Times in his hand but hadn’t been reading it. His contented gaze had been on the incredible scene they all should have been used to by now rather than only experiencing it for the first fucking time seven months into Lekzi’s life.