I stare in disbelief at who is sitting by Carlo’s bedside. “What the hell are you doing here? How did you get in?”

Kuras looks up at me, grinning widely. He’s holding my little girl in his arms as Carlo sleeps soundly in the bed. “I thought I would give him a bit of a break to get his strength back. It’s only been a couple of days since Haven Rayne has entered to turn your life upside down. He’s going to need his strength.”

“Didn’t you just have your own? Twins, if I’m remembering right.” As if Bronaz would let any of us forget. Every customer who comes in the shop and sits in his chair is regaled with baby pictures. I vowed never to be like that until Carlo went into labor.

“It’s been a few weeks. I have my second wind and I knew what to expect so I was able to plan and prepare Bronaz.” Kuras stands and puts Haven Rayne in my arms. She’s sleeping so soundly that the transfer doesn’t wake her. He motions for me to sit.

“Just like you’re prepared to help.” Kuras waits for me to get comfortable before he sits gently on the bed. Carlo is also so deeply asleep that the dip doesn’t bother him.

If Kuras is talking, I’ve tuned him out. My little girl. My little girl. A swelling of pride and fierce protection overwhelms me. It’s so sudden, I’m shocked and off balance because of it.

My little girl. My family. I’m grinning ear to ear when I look up at Kuras. He’s got this look on his face like he knows what just happened.

Carlo stirs and turns over, his eyes blinking sleepily before he registers it’s me. “Hey, you.”

“Hey, you. How are you feeling?”

“Like I’ve been thrown from the top of a building.”

Kuras pats Carlo’s thigh. “It’ll pass in a few days. Your body is readjusting from carrying a life in you for five months.”

“You did good, Carlo.” I proudly display our little girl to him. “She’s perfect in every way. Just like her dad.” I wait a beat. “And you.”

A pillow sails over and hits my shin. I grin at him cheekily. “Easy now, you’ll wake her up!”

“Not unless you kick her.” Kuras stands, his hand resting on his stomach for a moment.

“Everything okay?” If something happens to Kuras now, Bronaz will be impossible to live with.

“Yeah.” Kuras smiles and waves me off before I can stand. “I have the same thrown from the top of the building feeling right now. My body did twice the load.”

Carlo eases to a sitting up position. “You should go. Thank you so much for coming over.”

“I’m glad you feel better. You look better at any rate.” Kuras ducks to kiss my cheek then touch gently at Haven’s tiny hands. “Don’t get up, I’ll lock the door on my way out. You guys get some rest. You’re definitely going to need it.”

I listen to make sure Kuras gets out of the apartment safely before I shift from my chair to the bed. Carlo reaches out to take Haven from me.

Carlo has dark circles under his eyes but I think they’re mostly from the stress of the last few weeks of pregnancy and the delivery. I kiss each one. He sighs softly beneath the attention.

When he leans back, his attention on our baby, I’m struck by the gravity of what it all means. My life is closing into a perfect circle. I have friends who are for each other and for me. I have a mate who is in every way what I need to find balance, and I hope that I give that to him as well. And I have a beautiful, healthy baby girl.

“What’s on your mind?” Carlo asks. His attention is still on Haven but he glances up to meet my gaze. “Your silence is pretty telling.”

“Are you calling me mouthy?”

“Your words, not mine.” He kicks at my hip.

I catch his foot and hold on to it in a playful tug-of-war. “Just this feeling I have. After everything that’s gone on, even with these past few months of quiet, I can’t help this feeling that something is coming to a head.”

“It’s only natural. I guess my defecting from them has left them in disarray. Like a vacuum. Who knows how much information is lost with my memories? They can’t count on it staying hidden and I’m sure they aren’t even sure how much I do remember. It must have them worried.” He finally wins his foot free again and draws them up out of my reach.

“Yes, and that’s what bothers me. What if they make a play to get you back and take you by force if you won’t cooperate?”

“That won’t happen.” Carlo pats the bed next to him for me to sit. “You promised and you’re a man of your word. You won’t let it happen.”

I get comfortable before taking a kiss from him. “You got that right.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and read the text. “It’s from Taran. He says Annika is back from her third recon trip. Apparently we have enough now to put our plans in motion.”

Carlo blows out a soft breath. “Do you think they could wait a few more weeks for Kuras and I to get settled with the babies before doing anything?”

My protest is cut off when Carlo presses his fingers against my lips. “You’re crazy, Sako Sinder, if you think you’re doing anything without me.”

I kiss his fingertips before moving his hand and leaning in for another kiss on his mouth.

A sense of unease settles deep in my gut about this. I don’t think any of us have a real sense of what will happen or what we’re up against.

Whatever it is, I have something to protect now.

I’ll do that by whatever means necessary.