by Eden Summers
“I love you more than life.”
She grinned, the curve of lips lessening her look of exhaustion. “I love you, too.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Invincible. You?”
“Complete. I never thought my heart could make more room after you took it over.”
“I know what you mean.” She ran her finger over the baby’s forehead, trailing an intricate pattern over the flawless skin. “What should we call him?”
“How about Mace?” a familiar voice asked from the door.
Ryan turned and grinned at Mason and Sidney. “Not going to happen.”
“Really? I think it has a nice ring to it.” Mason came forward and placed a kiss in Leah’s hair. “For once, you look like you’ve done some work.”
Leah released a breathy laugh and accepted a hug from Sidney. “Please get revenge for me later.”
“I promise.” Sidney smiled, her focus on the already sleeping baby. “He’s so cute. Have you thought of a name yet?”
“We have.” Leah met Ryan’s gaze as she announced. “Tyler Mace Bennett.”
He nodded. Tyler Bennett. The name already suited the little guy.
“Are you shitting me?” Mason glanced between them. “You’re shitting me, aren’t you?”
“Mason,” Sidney growled. “Watch your language in front of the baby.”
“Shit. Sorry.” Mason’s brows drew tight. “But… Are you serious?”
“Yes.” Leah rolled her eyes at the lead singer. “We decided on a name weeks ago.”
The rest of their family entered the room. Alana, Melody, and Gabi all taking turns to give Leah a hug of congratulations before showering the baby in compliments while Mitch, Blake, and Sean did the same to Ryan…without the girlie affection.
“Why is Mason crying?” Sean asked.
“I’m not crying.” Mason rubbed the end of his nose with the back of his hand. “I’ve got allergies, asshole.”
Ryan chuckled and returned to Leah’s side. She had her gaze glued to their son. The two of them more than he could’ve ever hoped for. “You’re amazing.”
“We’re amazing.” Her lashes lifted, the glassy depths of her eyes hitting him with a promise of forever. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“I think Sophie and Tyler will be best friends,” Alana announced. “They’ll be so cute together.”
“She’s not coming anywhere near the blue-eyed cherub,” Blake grated. “I have a no-boys policy until she moves away from home.”
“Good luck with that.” Sean pulled out his cell and took some happy snaps. “I’m willing to place a bet they become more than friends before her sweet sixteenth.”
“That’s not funny.” Blake squeezed by the women to get to Leah’s side. “He’s adorable… But make sure you keep his grubby mitts away from my daughter.”
She leaned in to the kiss he placed on her cheek. “I’ll try my best.”
“Blake,” Gabi warned. “He’s not even five minutes old.”
“I don’t care. I’m laying down the law. My little girl is going to be locked up in her tower until she’s fifty-five.”
Leah snorted and then winced, the sign of agony quickly masked by a grin.
“Are you in pain?” Ryan asked.
“It’s not too bad.”
“That’s our cue to leave.” Melody started shooing everyone from the room. “The newest Reckless family deserves their privacy.”
Leah repositioned herself, sitting taller. “You don’t have to go.”
“Yeah, we do.” Mason shot her a wink. “Little Mason junior needs his rest.”
One by one they filed out of the room, blowing kisses, whispering farewells, until it was down to the three of them. His family, alone for the first time.
“It’s no longer just the two of us,” she whispered.
“I know.” He sat his hip against the bed and leaned into her. “It’s the end of one chapter and the start of something new.”
“I’m scared and excited at the same time. Who would’ve thought, all those years ago when we first met, that one day we’d be here?”
“I did. I thought about it. Dreamed about it. And it feels surreal to finally have what I always wanted.”
She released a breathy chuckle. “You’re such a sweet talker.”
“True.” He grinned. “And I’m going to teach this guy everything I know.”
“If that’s the case, Sophie won’t stand a chance, and you might want to start preparing for Blake’s wrath.”
“That’s the whole point, gorgeous.” He ran his fingers over the short wisps of hair on his son’s head. “We get to spend the rest of our lives making Blake’s a living hell.”
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Chapter One
Blake stood at the front door of his Richmond, Virginia home, suitcase handle in hand. “Girls, hurry up or we’re never going to get there in time.”
This was his life—one raised voice demand after another as he tried to parent two teenage girls and keep his beautiful wife happy. His world had changed in the blink of an eye, from famous bass guitarist to graying family man who still juggled a music career and now a record label.
Shit had never been crazier.
“I’m ready.” Maya bounded down the stairs, her backpack slung over one shoulder, her big brown eyes seeking his as if in praise. “But Sophie said she’s not coming.”
The declaration was a taunt. A cheery notification to instigate parental anger before she slinked past him and into the front yard.
It worked. His heartrate increased. If it wasn’t one daughter causing trouble, it was the other. They tag-teamed.
All day.
Every day.
Lately, his eldest daughter, Sophie, held the hormonal baton and swung that bitch with pride.
“Sophie.” His shout echoed off the walls.
Gabi appeared at the top of the stairs, beauty case in hand, sunglasses holding back the long blond hair she had passed down to their girls. “She’s coming. Give her a minute.”
He released the suitcase and met his wife at the bottom of the stairs. “What’s her problem this time?”
“She doesn’t want to go on the group vacation.”
He screwed up his face. “She loves group vacations. What changed in the last five seconds?”
Gabi shrugged. “I don’t think it’s been a spur-of-the-moment decision. She hasn’t been herself for weeks.”
He pulled his wife close, squeezing her to his chest. After all their years together, the thought of waking up without his Aussie beach babe scared him. She meant everything to him, and the fear of losing her was more chilling now because it would mean being alone and vulnerable in a house with two moody teenagers.
He wouldn’t survive.
“What is up with that kid lately? Is it PMS?” He kissed her neck, holding her like a protective blanket between him and psychotic female instability.
“Why do you think every problem in this house is PMS-related?”
“Because between syncing periods that instigate screaming matches, tears, and maniacal laughter in equal doses, I’m beginning to think I’m living in my own horror flick.”
She pulled back, one brow raised. “You didn’t give off the scared vibe in the shower this morning.”
He grinned, wishing he could turn back time to a few hours earlier. Back to hot water, a hot wife, and a fucking hot set of lips around his dick. “You’ve got me there, angel.”
“Gross.” Sophie’s unimpressed tone sounded from the top of the stairs. “Would you two quit it with the PDAs?”
He released Gabi and focused on the impressive scowl coming toward him. “With you and your sister depleting my bank account and making me gray, PDAs are all I’ve got to live for, kiddo.”
Sophie rolled her eyes. “You need to get a
life.”
He gritted his teeth. He had a life. He was still one of the most well-known bass guitarists in the industry. Not only that, fledgling and experienced musicians alike were paying big dollars to be mentored by him.
He had success, talent, and a continuously growing fan base, even at his ripe old age. But no matter the accolades, his daughters considered him uncool and embarrassing.
He bit back a chastising reply and looked her up and down, from the black chunky heels to the tight shiny pants clinging to her legs, and the loose tank top exposing more than a glimpse of her designer bra. “Are you sure you want to wear that?”
Jesus fucking Christ.
She had a mile of visible cleavage. A mile that Mason’s horny little teen would drool over and Mitch’s son would discreetly ogle.
Blake wasn’t blind. He noticed every asshole who laid eyes on his daughter.
The only kid he didn’t worry too much about was Tyler—Ryan’s son. He’d been Sophie’s best friend since Blake had given up trying to keep them apart at the age of five. He was a good kid. A good kid Blake would happily neuter if he ever laid hands on Soph.
She stopped on the second step and glared. “Please, please, please tell me we’re going to have the inappropriate clothing conversation again. That’s always so much fun.”
“You look—”
Gabi grabbed his wrist and squeezed.
She’d have to squeeze a lot harder to stop the upcoming stroke already making his eye twitch.
Sophie didn’t wait for him to finish. She huffed, descended the remaining stairs, and pushed past him to join Maya outside.
“Why did we move here?” He voiced his question to God. “Why? Oh, why?”
Gabi groaned. “Fifteen years later and you’re still asking the same question? Come on, Blake. We were never going to stay in New York and send the girls to a convent.”
“It wasn’t a convent. It was an all-girls school with a healthy amount of heavy-handed dictatorship.”
His gorgeous wife crossed her arms over her chest, her lips pressed.
“It was a good school…” he added.
Her nostrils flared.
Shit. He needed to backtrack.
“Okay. So, it wasn’t a school you approved of. But I think parenting would’ve been a lot easier if the girls had stricter teachers. We need an ally to discourage all this boy talk, and the parties, and the other hellish things we’re currently contending with.”
“Blake.” Gabi cupped his cheeks. “You need to think rationally, before one of our girls murders us in our sleep.”
“See?” He stepped back and pointed an accusatory finger at her. “I’m not the only one who thinks those hormones are a murderous death trap. I told you we should’ve reconsidered boarding school.”
She chuckled. “Stop being dramatic. You know boarding school has never been a preference for either of us. We both love having the girls here. They’re just harder on you this week because you’ve been harder on them. You’ve barely been home, and when you are, all you do is nag. ‘What did you wear to school today? Are you dating someone? Is that the reason your grades are falling?’” She lowered her voice, mimicking him and doing a horrible job with her lingering Aussie accent. “‘You know dating isn’t allowed in this house until you’re eighteen.’”
“They’re allowed to date.” His chest squeezed at the lie.
“Yes, if the male in question is preapproved by you, which will never happen.” She chuckled again and leaned in to smack a kiss against his lips. “Come on. We’re going to be late. I’ll send a message to Leah and ask her to discreetly interrogate Tyler on the drive to the lake. I’m sure he’ll know if something else is going on with Soph.”
“Yeah. Okay.” He followed his wife to the door. “But at this stage, I think we’re both well aware something as small as the change in humidity is enough to make her lose her shit.”
Not being around all the time didn’t mean he wasn’t trying to be a good father to his daughters. From the moment he’d learned of Gabi’s second and third pregnancies, he’d lost his mind with worry. They had already suffered through one miscarriage, and in his helpless state, all he could do was fixate on the things within his control. He’d spent nights awake thinking about child traffickers, molesters, rapists, and pedophiles.
He’d done everything in his power to protect the girls from the predatory men of the world, from the low-key purchase of mace, self-defense classes, and panic alarms, right down to in-built phone trackers, home video surveillance, and sometimes a security detail.
It took thirteen years to realize criminals were the least of his worries. What he needed to look out for were horny teenage boys.
In the four years since waking to that traumatic realization, he’d been living on a tightrope suspended above a heart attack. His girls were beautiful and smart, and when they weren’t fucking insane, they were kind, too.
“Sweetie.” Gabi shot a condescending look over her shoulder. “Until our girls start causing havoc like Ethan, you have nothing to complain about.”
She had a point.
Mason’s son was the biggest threat to his girls. The lead singer’s little deviant had slipped straight into his father’s shoes on every level—music, confidence, and womanizing ways. He always fought to be the center of attention. His arrogance was record-breaking. And the cocky fuck had the talent to back it up.
Blake had to keep the brat under a microscope. And he would continue to do so until Sophie could look after herself. Which probably meant another fifteen years, give or take.
“Our girls can’t be judged in the same way as Ethan, angel.” He activated the house alarm and pulled the door shut behind him. “That kid’s entire existence is karma for everything Mason has done in his life.”
Gabi started down the cement path leading to their car parked in the driveway. “That kid is entirely brilliant, and you know it.”
“That’s only half true.” He quickened his pace to keep up. “When it comes to music, yeah, I agree he’s doing okay. But with life in general? Fuck, no. He fails on every level. The brat is fifteen, looks like he’s twenty, and acts as if he’s twelve.”
“The way he acts is a given, considering his role models.”
“I’m a great role model, thank you very much.”
“Of course you are, sweetheart,” she drawled, reaching the car. She placed her beauty case in the trunk and gave him another smacking kiss on the lips. “You should show me just how much of a good role model you are this weekend. You could quit swearing. Or drinking. Or even show how much you trust your daughters by letting them run free-range for two days.”
He paused, unable to deny how he now enjoyed more than the occasional beer, and his swearing was constant, but… “I trust the girls.”
The outside world was the problem.
“Then you won’t mind sitting back and letting them do their own thing while we’re away, will you?”
He leaned to the side and glanced into the car, expecting to see his daughters riveted to the conversation, on the edge of their seats with excitement. Mouths wide. Eyes even wider.
Nope.
They had their earphones in. Completely oblivious.
“I can do that… At least until they do something idiotic. Then all bets are off.”
Gabi raised a brow. “That includes leaving the boys alone, too. Trusting the girls means you need to give them the ability to fight their own battles.”
He ground his molars. “Yep.”
“Perfect.” Her eyes glittered with contained laughter. “I think you’ll see a change in them once you loosen the leash.”
Doubtful. Very doubtful. But he could humor her when the weekend in question took place in a controlled environment.
The whole gang—ten adults, six kids—stayed in the same massive holiday home at Deep Creek Lake. An hour would rarely pass without him seeing or hearing what the girls were up to.
“And when they do so
mething stupid, do I get a prize?”
Her face fell. “You want a prize for betting against your girls making the right decisions?”
He chuckled, pretending he didn’t want the potential accolades, when he totally did. He slammed the trunk closed and gave her a wink. “No, of course not.”
Bragging rights would have to be enough.
Leah dragged her gaze from the road and pulled her cell from her handbag. “Gabi sent me a message over an hour ago.”
“Yeah?” Ryan asked from the driver’s seat. “What did she say?”
She chanced a glance over her shoulder. Tyler sat with his head resting against the window, eyes closed, with his noise-cancelling headphones plastered to his ears.
“The girls are being a handful, and she wanted to know if Tyler had said anything about Sophie lately. I think she might be having a hard time at school.”
Ryan shot her a sideways look but didn’t say anything.
“What?” She frowned, trying to decipher his expression.
“I don’t think she’s having a hard time over school.”
“And why is that?” She raised her brows higher and higher, hoping he would hurry and spill the information.
He focused back on the road, then shot a quick glance to his rear-view mirror. “Ty may have mentioned the two of them were fighting.”
“Fighting?”
He lowered his voice. “Don’t tell him I told you.”
“And why didn’t you tell me?”
“You’ve been working long hours preparing for the tour. And when you get home, you’re exhausted. I didn’t want to give you something else to stress over.”
Oh, God.
This was exactly what she hadn’t wanted to happen.
Tyler was a good kid. Good grades, good friends, good head on his shoulders. Her gorgeous baby boy had turned into an entirely self-sufficient young man. But she knew the day would come when her focus would stray too far into work for her to see the problems forming in his life.
“You should’ve told me.” She dropped her phone back into her handbag. “You know he internalizes everything. If they’ve had a fight, he’ll be reliving it over and over, trying to analyze where they went wrong.”
