21
Plan B.
They sipped their morning coffee while standing in the kitchen. Regardless of how well Killian had memorized Nick’s features, he couldn’t resist stealing another glance. He knew every tiny ingredient of that unique scent of his, and yet, he still nuzzled him when close and breathed him in. The man could take care of himself, but that didn’t stop Killian from wanting to protect him. To care for him. To destroy every man who dared touch or hurt him.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
“They look really good.” Nick angled the new ID card in the light. “Even the hologram is damn near perfect.” He set down the card and reached for the fake passport, inspecting it and shaking his head. “We could actually travel with these.”
Killian set his mug down and leaned forward, resting his forearms on the countertop of the kitchen island. He had the IDs and enough money set aside in an offshore account for an emergency should the shit hit the fan with the island. He always had a plan B—and C—just in case. Whatever path they chose, he didn’t care. As long as they stayed together.
“Ian Marks,” Nick commented, glancing up at him with a smile.
He wasn’t crazy about the thought of anyone else calling him by that name, but this was a fresh start…a new life. And if they were both running from Petrov, he didn’t have much of a choice. Besides, he wouldn’t risk starting down this new path with a bullseye on his back or putting Nick in any more danger simply because of his legacy. “People can call me Marks,” he grumbled, adding a nonchalant shrug. In truth, he’d probably slug anyone who dared call him by his nickname. He saw it as an endearment, reserved exclusively for one man.
Nick nodded. He held up the other identification, failing miserably at hiding the grin on his face. “Nico Marks.”
Killian looked down at his now empty mug on the countertop, fidgeting with the handle. He casually glanced up and there was that teasing spark in Nick’s eyes.
“Is this your way of proposing?”
He shrugged again, figuring that was better than whatever mess he could attempt to assemble into a coherent sentence to express how he felt. And why did the tips of his ears burn so much?
He straightened when Nick neared, stepping between him and the counter. Nick slid his hands up Killian’s arms and around the back of his neck. “You reverted to Nico.”
“It’s your birth name.” He swallowed heavily, trying to maintain a facade of control with Nick’s touch. “Even though you don’t used it.”
A smile widened across Nick’s face. “Yes. I’m Nico Marks.” He leaned in, pressing a kiss to Killian’s lips. “And I’m yours.”
Fuck control. A strangled groan escaped him as he gripped the back of Nick’s head, devouring his mouth in a possessive kiss, branding him with his lips.
“Can’t you guys stop pawing at each other while I’m here?” They tore away from the kiss as Dex shuffled into the kitchen, snatching a mug from the cupboard and yanking the pot out of the coffee machine to pour himself a cup. “I barely slept.”
Killian slid his arm around Nick’s waist when he refused to step away.
“You better get used to it,” Nick said, leaning in to Killian.
Dex rolled his eyes. “I’m sleeping in the bunker tonight. I’m not dealing with a headboard banging on the wall again.”
“I meant, with a baby on the way,” Nick said with a chuckle.
Dex’s features softened. “I still can’t believe I’m going to be a dad.” He fell silent, lost in thought as his lips twitched in and out of a smile and his eyes sparked with emotion. “You know how they say women glow when they’re expecting?”
Killian didn’t know shit about that, but Nick nodded.
“Aly’s glowing like the way the sun peeks out from behind the clouds after it rains for hours.”
Killian rolled his lips into his mouth, holding back the million jokes at the tip of his tongue about Dex and his newfound romantic side. There was no way he would piss on Dex’s current daddy high.
“We need a good doc on the island.” Dex looked between them. “She’s not having that baby with duct tape and spit. I know there are risks, but if—”
Killian held up a stopping hand. “How would you feel if Petrov’s men showed up on the island and put Aly at risk?”
Dex paled, stunned silent for the first time since Killian had known him. “You don’t know for sure they’ll come.”
“Dex,” Killian said with a sigh. “He wants Nick, and he’s willing to pay to find him.”
Tension and silence filled the room. “It’s not fair,” Dex whispered.
“Things rarely are.” Killian frowned, wishing he could disguise the cynic in him a little better. Nick was going to be fine and they were going to be together. Running, hiding, wearing disguises…it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered but Nick. His safety and them together. “Things are too hot right now. You shouldn’t be on the mainland.”
“We never planned on having a baby there, so we don’t have those vitamin things and whatever else we’ll need. Doc here gave me a list. Once I’ve got that squared, I’ll bail.” He chewed his lip, obviously fighting with a thought. “I want you to be the godfather.”
Every muscle in Killian’s body tensed. “What?” He didn’t know the first thing about babies or…whatever else came along with that bundle of responsibility.
“I’m not talking about anything mafia-like. Just watch over the baby if something happens to us. Make sure she’s taken care of. Like what you do for me. Except, I don’t smell like a dirty diaper.”
“Well…”
“Asshole.”
Killian couldn’t fight the smile any longer. He was going to miss this meddling prick.
“At least think about it. Things could change.”
Killian stilled and stared at Dex, nailing him with a firm stare. Dex looked over to Nick, grimacing when all the meanings of his last few words finally struck a chord.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t—”
Nick quickly shook his head and waved his hand in the air, cutting off Dex’s panicked thought. “I know what you meant.” He tried to soothe the sudden strain between them, but nothing worked. Dex had always been brutally honest, and this time was no different.
But it was a truth Killian refused to accept.