Page 135 of Allegiance

“That fruit is low-hanging, Zayn. Don’t do it.”

He closed his mouth and grinned like an idiot. Somehow, Dakota, the dumbass, managed to fix it and didn’t even know it.

They kept going.

“Come on, Dak,” Stella said. “You’re sexy. I’m sure you can find another babe.”

Zayn stared at his wife.

“Did my sweet Stella just call another man sexy and in front of me?”

She snorted.

“Well, he is if you like that cowboy hero thing. He’s brooding and difficult. I like big, sweet, and a teddy bear.”

Zayn laughed.

In what world did that describe him?

Seriously?

Dakota wasn’t having it.

“I don’t think you get it,” he said. “I knew, and I decided to be an asshole. She was the one. When I married Sarah, I loved her, but, and I am so sorry to do this to her memory, but what I felt about her and what I feel about Eve…it’s not the same. It’s not even close. Then, add in she’s having my child. A child she’ll not want me to see.”

“Maybe she will,” Maura said.

He laughed again.

Oh, he wouldn’t get that lucky.

How did he know?

Because his life was a disaster.

“I wouldn’t if I were her. I did her dirty. I made her feel like she was less than she was, and for fuck’s sake, she told me to ask her to stay, and I didn’t! What the holy hell is wrong with me? Why can’t I do the right thing? It’s like my brain is on delay. I do something stupid, only to realize it three months later!”

Jagger sipped some coffee.

“So you’re not trying to get back into her life just because of a baby?”

“No. I miss her. I’ve dreamed about her every night for three months, and I didn’t know about the baby. I’ve deserved the torture, and now, she lives two blocks away. I was a dumbass. I’m sorry I told you guys having kids was a bad idea. I was a callous asshole. Why you guys even stick by me…?”

“Because we love you,” Tommy said. “You’re our family, and we want to help you.”

He sighed.

“Well, if anyone has any ideas on how to make a very deadly Adder forgive me, I’m up for suggestions because she doesn’t need me. She’s stronger than me, and she’s going to be raising two kids on her own because I’m a…”

“Numbnuts?” Zayn asked.

“Douchecanoe?” Stella asked.

“Ridiculously stubborn?” Boone asked.

He stared at them.

“And you guys say we’re family? What do you do to your enemies?”