Chapter 42

Laine

The next week and a half is a lonely affair. Tag spends most days tucked away in his office making phone calls and smoothing out the perceived betrayals of the other families. An unprovoked attack of a child within a crime family is unforgiveable and, unfortunately, the moment Declan died, Tag was deemed guilty until proven innocent.

But by the time the weekend rolls around, it seems everyone understands that Aiden's vendetta blurred lines between personal and professional.

And while the Quinns lost points in popularity with the other families in Ireland, our proposal to create a business relationship with the Tessiano family in Chicago went very well.

Apparently, me knowing about their operations as a local attorney was a threat to them, but the moment Tag claimed me as his woman, I fell under the umbrella of protection as all the other wives.

Now, the Quinns have a new gun supplier and I'm standing on solid ground with the Tessianos. It didn't hurt that Tag killed Marco and snipped that loose end for them, as well.

That also established what would happen if anyone else came looking for me with the same intentions.

My guy will kill for me.

And while that likely shouldn't make me as happy as it does, with another ten days behind us and me still with no period, I like that Tag is all in to protect me—and possibly us.

"What does it say, lass?" Rose asks.

The two of us are hiding away in the kitchen of her new country home, waiting for the three home pregnancy tests I peed on to dictate my current status.

I check the countdown on my phone and set it back down. "Three more minutes."

Rose chuckles and slides another slice of angel food cake with whipped cream and pineapple toward me. "You're a stickler for the rules."

I laugh and accept the dessert without complaint. "I just don't want to jump to conclusions."

"Thus the three tests?"

I nod. "This one makes a plus sign. This one gives us two solid blue bands. And this one actually says the word pregnant in the window. If all three agree, then it will really be happening."

Rose returns the lid of the cake keeper and smiles out the kitchen window. Tag is out there, directing the landscaper, pointing out all the issues he wants cleared up.

Just half an hour north of Dublin, the two-acre property needs a lot of TLC, but the old house has been nicely renovated and modernized.

"Are you sure this is what you want? Tag would be just as happy to have you living in the main house with the rest of us."

Rose chuckles. "Och, I know he would, duck, but I'm a woman of my ways and need my space. And, if you and Tag are getting married and starting a family, the two of you don't need me underfoot."

I take another bite of my pineapple bliss and continue to eat my way through my excitement. "You would never be underfoot. Besides, we don't even know if I'm pregnant."

"Not for another minute."

Another minute.

I have to be pregnant, right?

I'm always hungry, I fall asleep without warning, and I still haven't had my period.

Logically, I know that stress can cause a woman's cycle to glitch, and between the home invasion, fleeing to Ireland, and having my ex-husband try to kill me, there was a lot of stress.

But I'm not stressed now.

In fact, I've never been happier.

The chiming song of my timer goes off and I swipe to clear the notification and then draw a deep breath. "Are you ready, Cora?"

Cora grins and leans over the kitchen island on both elbows. "Aye, I'm ready. Take a look."

"How was your visit with Rose?" Tag asks me as the two of us drive home after lunch.

"Good. She's a lovely lady."

"Aye, she is at that." We drive a little further and he casts a sideways glance at me. "Is everything all right? You're awfully quiet."

"Oh, sorry. Yes, I'm good." Better than good, actually. I'm pregnant and now I just need to find a cute way to tell you. I flash him a reassuring smile and reach over to squeeze his hand. "Did you get everything sorted with the landscaper?"

"I believe so, but the proof will be in the pudding. He says he'll have things well in hand by the end of the month, so I'll give him until then before we visit again, and I check his progress."

"Oh, good. I like it out here. It's quite peaceful. I'm looking forward to exploring more of the countryside."

As the truck hums along the rural road toward a neighboring town, I point to a sign with balloons blowing in the breeze. "Oh, there's a street fair. That looks like fun. Do we have time to check it out?"

He hits the indicator and makes the turn, taking us in the direction of the arrows. "If you want to check out a local street fair, we will make the time."

I love that.

In Chicago, I used to love going into vintage shops and rummaging around. Even when Marco and I were dating, he hated it. He'd pick a local coffee shop up the road and tell me to meet him when I was done.

Tag is different.

He enjoys indulging me in my interests.

It takes time and a little backtracking to find a side street close enough to the fair to park. The main street where the festivities are being held is a bit of a walk, but neither of us mind.

"With all the conflict the past two weeks, it's nice to simply walk out in the sunshine and hold hands."

Tag lifts our joined hands and kisses my knuckles. "Aye, it is at that, luv. I'm sorry it's been such a clusterfuck."

"It wasn't your fault. Aiden really screwed everyone over when he took out Declan."

Tag frowns as we stroll along, the rhythm of the live music from the stage growing louder as we walk. "Siobhan did a real number on him. I wish your first impression of him was more like the brother and best friend he's always been. Not that you'd know it, but he's really a stand-up guy."

"It's too bad Siobhan twisted him up like she did."

"Aye, it is."

"Has there been any word on where she is?"

Tag shakes his head and points over to a stand of homemade treats. "Nothing yet, but if the McGuires got to her first and wanted to take their pound of flesh, we may never know what became of her."

I consider that while Tag buys three slabs of fudge and the woman puts it into a takeout box. When he hands her thirty dollars, she waves his offer away. "Oh, no, Mr. Quinn. It's on the house."

It still seems so weird that he gets recognized when we go out. Still, he never abuses his celebrity. He's just not like that. "I insist," he says, setting the money on the top of her display. "Today we're simply two people out to enjoy the fair. Good fortune to you."

"To you as well, sir," the woman says, dropping her gaze as she accepts the money.

We make our way past the tables of local crafts, toward the chip trucks, and I'm in my glory. Food, baking, hand-crafted items, and music.

It doesn't get any better.

"Wow, this fudge is so creamy, I feel guilty with every bite I take."

"And yet you're nearly through the first slab."

He watches me pop another piece into my mouth and I make a show of sucking my fingers clean. "I said I felt guilty, not that I have any intention of stopping."

He laughs. "True enough."

At the next booth, I'm drawn to the plush bears being sold. They are obviously handmade and have jointed arms and necks. I point to a cute sage green one. "I'll take that one."

When I unzip my purse to grab my wallet, Tag presses his hand over mine. "I've got it, luv."

I arch a brow. "I won't be a kept woman, Mr. Quinn. In case you didn't know this about me, I am an independent force capable of buying my husband a gift at the fair."

He pulls back his hand and shrugs. "As you wish."

I pay the man behind the table and hold out the little craft bag by the handles. "For you, my love."

He accepts the gift and peeks into the bag, smiling. "And why did you buy me a bear?"

"I liked the color and thought we could decorate the nursery around him. Sage green would work whether we're having a boy or a girl."

Tag stops and stares at me. "Having? As in currently in progress?"

I giggle. "Yes, in progress. I peed on three different test kits today to be sure. You, Mr. Quinn, are going to be a daddy…or I guess a da, in your case."

He wraps an arm around me and pulls me off the beaten path to a small park with a bench in the shade of a huge tree. "You're sure?"

"As sure as I can be without a blood test from a doctor, but the tests confirm it." I unzip my purse again and lift out all three tests. "FYI, I wiped them after I peed on them."

He laughs. "As if I'd care if you didn't."

He stares at them for a long while and then looks up at me, emotion swirling in his gaze. "I don't even know where to begin."

"Are you happy?"

"Beyond anything I could've ever imagined."

"Then that's a great place to begin." I take his hand and place it over my tummy. "We made a baby Quinn."

He leans closer, pulls me into his arms, and claims my mouth. Kissing Tag is always amazing. Whether it's a chaste brush of affection or a passionate exploration of mouth and tongue, I'm always lost to him.

When he eases back, he licks his lips and smiles. "You taste like maple fudge."

I laugh. "No one has ever said that to me before."

He stands and extends a hand. "If you're done here, I'd like to take you and our baby bear home and make love to you all weekend."

I blink. "Oh, yes, please."