Unchained (Hogan Brothers 3)

“Why the hell do you guys know this secret when I don’t?” he snapped.

“Wives talk,” was all that was said.

Anticipation filled the backyard of their new home as his mother and Sage’s sister, Jossilyn, stepped out of the doorway. Joss had, in fact, been in hiding two counties over at a woman’s shelter. Braxton had found her only four months ago, and she left soon after. While Joss was emotionally damaged, waking up from nightmares nearly every night, Loch and Sage had no doubt she would recover and heal.

“What the hell?” Nox and Levi cursed at the same time, sitting up.

Their mother had tears in her eyes.

Loch had a feeling he knew what was happening as the girls all walked closer to them.

“What’d you do, Soph?” Nox growled at his wife.

“It’s Hayes’ fault.” She giggled.

“Sure, throw me under the bus. Sage is the one who started it.” Her eye roll was felt.

“Angel…” His voice held a warning. His innocent little bride enjoyed when he took control. She often told him she couldn’t wear panties when he was all growly.

“I have a surprise for you,” she sang.

The lyrics to “Hit Me, Baby, One More Time” played, and all three girls opened their robes, displaying tiny baby bumps colored in either pink or blue.

Except Sage.

One half was pink, the other blue.

“Twins?” Loch groaned, filled with excitement. He laid his head on her now pregnant belly and soaked up her sunshine and life. Twins. He couldn’t believe it.

Levi was beside him, devouring his wife’s face as she giggled against his lips.

Nox had Soph wrapped around him as he whispered in her ear. The blush she wore and the glazed eyes spoke volumes about what he was saying.

“Are you happy?” Sage whispered, gently brushing her fingers through his hair.

Standing, he crowded against her. Leaning down, he murmured against her lips, “I love you more than life and faith, Sage. You are my dream come true.”

Running her hands along his cheek, she spoke softly. “You are my faith, Lochlan. You define my life and in your gaze, is every promise I never knew I had.”

Their kiss was soft, sweet, simplifying their love for one another as they relished in the news of not one, but two children.

Three years later

“Annemarie! Don’t you dare dump that paint on Uncle Porter’s head.” Her fool brother just sat there and let her. At two and a half years old her twins, Annemarie and Lucas, were tiny terrors. Usually because he was encouraging them to be that way.

“He looks so pretty, Mama!” Annemarie cheered as the purple—supposed to be mess-free—paint slid down his back and face turning the grass another color. Sage couldn’t help laughing at the picture he made.

Lucas hadn’t been feeling well, so he was missing the fun and laying down for a nap. She expected him to be his regular happy self again any day now.

“Honey, I’m home!” Loch called from the front door, and she smiled. Their life was far beyond anything she could have dreamed of.

“How’s Sophia?” She immediately asked. It was Soph’s turn to carry twins, and she’d been put on bedrest until her due date next month.

“Putting Nox through hell. He deserves it.” Loch grinned as he pulled her into his arms. “Liam’s thrilled to help her out, though.” Their son had been born just two months after Loch and Sage’s twins.

“That’s great.” She smiled.

Knowing their small family, their friends, everyone, was settling down and falling in love was heartwarming. All she had to do was find the perfect girl for her brothers.