Chapter Twenty-Seven

Leah

You best believe I leapt out of that bed like it was on fire, Darius would have kept his word and pinned me down until I was screaming his name. I managed to snag the shower before Val. Of course, I only managed to have mere minutes alone before Darius stormed in, demanding that I help him deal with a situation. The situation of course was me helping get rid of his boner, which did lead to me plastered against the shower, biting down on his shoulder so my screams didn’t wake the whole house. When we finally exited the shower after using all the hot water, I quickly brushed my teeth and combed my hair before changing.

I’m sitting on the end of our bed pulling on my Ugg boots when a knock sounds at the door. Darius pulls his hoodie on before going to open it. The bedroom door opens to reveal a sleepy Val with a smiling Dawson in her arms. I pull my boot on and stand, making way over to them to pluck Dawson from her hold and kissing his gorgeous face until he is laughing and begging me to stop.

“Could I ask a favor?” I see Darius stiffen next to me but I ignore as I look at my friend.

“Of course, Val. What do you need?” She seems nervous.

“Could you please watch him while I take a quick shower. I swear I won’t be long. I’m just worried about the stairs if he came out of the room while I was in there and—” I cut her off, feeling so sad for her that she feels like asking to watch her son for five minutes is a huge burden.

“Val!” She clamps her mouth closed and pales slightly. I try to smile reassuringly to help ease some of her nerves. “Go shower, wash your hair, do whatever you want and take your time. Darius and I will take Dawson down and get him breakfast. Crue and Saint will love having the little guy to play with.” Her eyes widen.

“Are you sure?” I shift Dawson to one side and use my free hand to rest against Val’s shoulder in a comforting gesture.

“Yes! Go shower, take your time. When you’re done, breakfast will be ready and waiting for you downstairs.” Her eyes grow misty.

“Thank you, Leah.” Her tone is watery and that fucking hurts me.

“Val, we’re all here for you. Once you get to know the guys, you will understand that we are family and we take care of our own. You and Dawson are ours now. Whatever you need, we got you.” She swallows loudly as her eyes fill with tears. Before they can fall, she nods and scurries back to her room. I turn to Darius to find him staring at the spot Val just vacated with a look of pain etched into his beautiful face. “Are you okay?” He shakes his head and nods.

“Yeah. Come on, let’s go eat.” I hate that I know he is lying, it’s hard for him to see a mom care for her child. I hope one day my man can find it within himself to find his mom and speak with her because I hate that there is this hurt inside him that I can’t take away.

I smile as I look around the table at everyone. Dawson sits on my lap eating the pancakes Beck made him. Beck and Darius sit on either side of us. Nathan, Corv, Crue, Cody, Katie and Saint all shout and laugh as they fight over who can beat who at Mario Kart. I shake my head and hide my smile as I place a kiss to the top of Dawson’s head.

“I go Becky?” Silent laughter shakes my shoulder as I hear Beck grunt beside me. When we came down this morning to see everyone and get some food, I introduced Dawson to the others and I may have forgotten to introduce Beck as Beck and not Becky. Dawson instantly took a shine to Beck and demanded to stay with him and help make pancakes. I was stunned when Beck plucked him from my arms and set him up on the counter to help. Dawson reaches out for Beck, the big man’s eyes soften as he grabs Dawson from me and sits him on his lap, wrapping his arms around him protectively. Darius drapes his arm around my shoulder as I stare at the duo beside me. He leans in and whispers, low enough for only me to hear.

“Stop looking at my best friend like that.” There’s heat in his tone that has me turning to face him, we’re so close that our noses brush against each other.

“Huh?” His eyes narrow but he can’t hide the lust that sparks to life in those beautiful eyes.

“Keep looking at him like that and I may have to make a mini me just so you’ll look at me like that.” My eyes snap wide, he laughs before pecking me on the lips and leaning back in his chair while I stare at him.

“Get the hell away from my son!” I snap my gaze to the dinning entry way to see Val standing there with an angry look on her face. The room is doused in silence from her outburst.

“Valance…” Beck whispers beside me. I flick my gaze between her and him as he slowly stands from his chair with Dawson still in his hold. The moment he steps away from the table she rushes toward them stopping a foot away from Beck.

“Give him to me now!” she grits out, her tone is hard but I can hear the hurt that she tries to mask. They know each other, how? Beck looks down at the boy in his arms before turning back to Val—Valance. I thought Val was short for Valerie or something, I never thought to ask her.

“He’s your… son?” Beck clips out. Val’s eyes widen for a split second. I slowly stand from my chair and move to stand beside Beck.

“Yes,” she grits out, her features pull taut. She darts her gaze to me, pleading for my help silently.

“Becky, pass me Dawson,” I say but Beck ignores me as he keeps his gaze on Val.

“How old is he, Valance?” His tone is laced with anger. Val’s shoulders bunch, her hands clench into fists at her sides as she holds his angry stare.

“He’s… four.” Beckett’s brows jump to his hairline as his eyes widen, Dawson reaches for his mother. Val lurches forward and yanks him from Beckett’s hold, clutching her son against her chest as she peppers kisses on his head. She darts her gaze to me, this time all I see in her eyes is regret and pain. “I need to go home.” Those five words seem to have Beck snapping out of whatever trance he was in, he closes the space between him and Val, glaring down at her.

“You aren’t taking my son anywhere!” he snarls, and gasps break out around the table. My jaw unhinges as I stare at the couple in front of me. Dawson is Beck’s kid, how? Val’s blue eyes burn with hatred as she scowls up at Beck.

“Fuck you, Beckett. He isn’t yours!” A humorless laugh leaves Beck, the sound of it has me tensing knowing something bad is coming.

“He isn’t mine?” Val nods stiffly. “Right, so, Valance, why the fuck did you name your son after me?” I frown unsure what he means. Val shakes her head.

“Oh shit.” I snap my gaze to Darius as he stares at Beck’s back. “Beckett Dawson.” Oh fuck!

“Please, don’t,” Val chokes out, drawing my attention back to them.

“You gave my son my last name as his first name,” Beck shouts. Dawson cries in fright, Val tries to soothe him but he continues to cry. “You’re not taking him anywhere!”

“Screw you, Beckett. You’ll never get near him again,” Val says with so much conviction I actually believe her.

“I’ll take your ass to court. I have the money and you don’t, so say your goodbyes now.” Val’s face pales, panic fills her features for a second before she hardens her gaze before taking a deep breath.

“Take me to court and I’ll tell them how you are a murderer. You and I both know I have the proof of your crime.” The icy tone of her voice fills me with dread. I feel Darius behind me as he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me flush against his chest. The guys stand from their seats with angry glares pointed directly at Val, who looks like a deer caught in the headlights.

“You can try, but heed my warning, Valance ,” Darius spits her name like it burns his tongue. “You run your mouth to anyone and I promise you that we will bury you six feet fucking deep and take that kid from you without remorse.” Tears flow down her cheeks, she darts her gaze to me for help but I’m stuck. She’s my friend but Beck is… my Becky. He’s one of my ride or dies and I can’t turn my back on him. Which is why, when Beck yanks Dawson from her arms I don’t intervene, not even when Crue and Corvin grip her arms pulling her from the room.