Inked Babies (Inked Brotherhood 6)

She makes the circle complete. She gives us everything we need.

Not gonna destroy that by asking for more.

***

“I can look after the boys tomorrow,” she tells me later. “So you can go with the guys to check that house.”

It’s afternoon, the sunrays slanting through the living room windows. Teo is watching cartoons on TV, and Miles is in his room, reading.

Or so he claims. I wonder if I should check his phone, see what he’s doing on there.

“You’re not going in to work tomorrow?” I frown as her words sink in. I’m sitting on the carpet, my back to the side of the sofa, downloading the last files from Truthfinder to show Zane tomorrow, and I crane my neck to get a look at her. “Tess?”

“Screw that.”

She comes to kneel beside me, and I put the laptop down. “What do you mean?”

“This is important. Also I haven’t spent time with the kids lately, or… or you.”

I blink. “But your job—”

“I told Mason I won’t have time to travel so much anymore.”

My mouth is open, but no sound comes from my throat. I grip her wrist, drag her closer, swallow hard and try again. “Why not?”

“Told you. I want, I need time with you and the kids. I miss you. I want to be there for you. With you.”

Is my mind playing tricks? Am I reading too much into her words, hearing what I want to hear?

“You love your job, Tess.”

“But I love you more.”

I grin, can’t help it. “I knew it.”

“What, you doubted me?”

I shake my head, my grin twisting. “Maybe.”

“God, Dyl…” She slides her hand over my chest, blue eyes a bit too bright. “I’m sorry. I thought you needed some space anyway, and then Mason kept adding tasks to my job, and I was excited about it… but never more excited than being with you.”

“Shush!” Teo’s voice comes from over our heads, startling us. He’s leaning over the armrest of the couch, a scowl on his small face. “I’m watching TV.”

I snicker. “Okay, buddy. Calm down.”

Tess laughs outright.

“So…” I keep my voice low, just to humor Teo. “Why did you think I needed space?”

That bothers me.

“Because.” She shrugs and burrows into me. I lift my arm, and she snuggles against my side, warm and soft and smelling like a cupcake. “You have so much resting on your shoulders. You don’t need a clingy girlfriend, too.”

I frown. “And if I do?”

She looks up at me. “You do?”

“I need you, Tess.” I squeeze her closer. “Every day and every night. But not if I’ll be in the way of your dreams. I don’t want you to drop a job you love and stay home, or find some job you hate just to be closer. I miss you, too. Fuck, you have no idea how much I miss you when you’re not here, but I’d never be the reason you’re unhappy.”