Inked Babies (Inked Brotherhood 6)

Fair enough. “I want to marry Tess because I love her. I want to show to her how much, have the ceremony with the friends and family, put a ring on her finger, the works. Promise her I’ll cherish her forever. Ask her to have my kids when she’s good and ready.”

Tyler snickers. “Yeah, sure. You’re a fucking caveman, Dylan, like all of us. Admit it. All you want to do is brand her as yours and drag her into your man-cave.”

Okay, it’s true, I won’t deny it. I do want all that. Every day. I wanna hide her and bury myself in her and never resurface.

But my love for her is real, and I want her to know it.

***

The doorbell rings much later, and Rafe enters, followed by Zane.

The kids are still playing, more quietly than before. It’s time to leave, take them home to bed, grab a bite and some Zs.

But none of us move.

Zane frowns as he approaches, hands shoved in his pant pockets, mouth pursed. We nod in greeting as Rafe comes to perch on the armrest of the sofa.

Zane remains standing. He leans back against the wall, then pulls his hands out of his pockets only to fold his arms over his chest. “Rafe said you fuckers wanted to see me. Well, here I am.”

I draw a deep, bracing breath. “How you doing, man?”

“Been better.”

You could say that again. He looks it, too—hollow-eyed, thin, the cast of his skin gray. If I didn’t think he’d punch me in the face for trying, I’d haul him to the couch to sit down. He looks like he’s about to fall over.

And we need to talk.

“Miles.” He comes over, giving me a questioning look. “Buddy, take the little ones to the other room and look over them for a while, okay? There’s something we need to discuss here without interruptions.”

He scowls at me. “I’m a grown up. I want to stay.”

I try to ruffle his hair but he ducks from under my hand. “I know, Miles. You’re a grown-up now, that’s why I trust you to look over the little ones. It won’t be long, I promise.”

He looks like he’s going to complain some more, but then he catches a glimpse of Zane and shuts up.

Good boy.

I wait until he has herded the boys into the room next door and return my attention to the guys.

“Okay, look. We’ve been thinking…” I catch Asher’s raised brow and sigh. “Ash is convinced that there’s truth to the things you remember.”

Zane flinches. It’s subtle but unmistakable. “Drop it.”

“Z-man,” Asher says. “Hear him out.”

“Yeah,” Tyler says quietly. “Hear him out.”

“You fucking serious?” Zane shoots him a deadly glare. “You don’t believe this shit.”

“Hell, I know, man, I was the first to doubt it, all right? And I’m still not convinced, so cool your guns and come have a look at this.” Tyler points at the folder I’m still holding.

Zane’s eyes are half-closed. Anger simmers in them, bright and hot. “Why the fuck should I? I know what’s in it.”

“Do you?” I plop the folder on the table. “There’s no Tyre or Tyrell in here.”

“Told you I wasn’t sure.” The anger wavers, warring with confusion. His arms tighten over his chest, biceps bulging. “I thought… Dammit, that was…”

“What if you took a quick look?” I say, unhappy about forcing him to see something that obviously upsets him, but not seeing any other way. “These are the names that have no address attached to them, I’ve marked them.”