Chapter Eighteen

Nicole felt light as Josh carried her through the house she'd come to think of as home. He always made her feel like she weighed next to nothing, but there was more to it tonight. She'd let go of her fears, of the worry she might not be enough for them, and it made the world feel brighter, easing her soul.

Josh set her on her feet, and his hands immediately went to the hem of her shirt, hauling it over her head.

"I thought you were supposed to have her naked and ready," Grim complained. He looked so hot. He'd taken off his shirt at some point, and his big, muscular chest was on display.

"We were having an emotional breakthrough," Josh shot back. "She's decided we're not her asshole dead ex and she loves us."

"You're slow. Nic and I had this particular breakthrough hours ago," Grim replied.

"Well, if you hadn't had to go to dinner immediately, maybe I would have had mine with her, too. Your gut always gets us in trouble." Josh's head shook as she toed out of her shoes.

Her guys. They were two halves of a whole, and she wouldn't have them any other way. "All the emotional breakthroughs are good. As soon as Jack throws enough money at the problem of my potential incarceration for a crime I didn't commit, we can get married and get super boring."

Oh, she was wrong. "We won't be boring. Trust me. I grew up around a whole lot of threesomes," Josh explained as he helped her out of her jeans. "There's never a dull moment. But the danger stuff, yeah. I'm ready for boring when it comes to real danger."

It looked like Grim had prepped the room. There was a towel on the middle nightstand, and it had lube and a prepared plug waiting for use. They would get her ready and then she wouldn't be feeling the plug at all. She would have one of her men in her pussy and one in her ass. She would be between them.

Where she belonged.

Grim moved in behind her and had her bra off with a simple twist of his hand. Cool air hit her breasts but her skin still felt hot and wanting. She watched as Josh shrugged out of his shirt. His jeans had tented with his erection, and she couldn't wait to get her hands on him.

Then she sighed and leaned back as Grim's hands came from behind to cup her breasts. She was left in nothing but her panties, and Josh went on his knees in front of her, his fingers sliding under the waistband as Grim played with her nipples. His hips moved, rubbing that big cock of his along the seam of her ass.

Josh leaned in and inhaled the scent of her arousal. "Ain't nothing boring about this, baby."

The events of the day had been overwhelming, but she couldn't remember a single one of them as Josh dragged her panties down, tossed them away, and then rubbed his nose right in her pussy like she was the best smelling flower he'd ever known. She was completely naked with the exception of the necklace she'd been given. She rather thought her men would try to replace it soon, but she loved it.

Some things had happened and it had been emotional, but what mattered now was she had a sweet dog to take care of and she was with them.

Fully and completely with them. Surrounded by them. Adored by them.

Grim kissed her neck and twisted her nipples with enough force to make her squirm. Heat flashed through her, heightening the arousal spiraling through her.

Josh rose to his feet. "I believe I owe our sub some discipline."

He wanted to spank her now. "It's okay. I'm ready. We don't have to. Take me now."

She knew it was the wrong thing to say the minute his brow rose and his eyes went the slightest bit icy. The Dom was in control. It was something she might have feared had she not gotten to know all sides of this man. Josh was the Dom and the friend and the son and brother. He was kind and open about what he felt.

But he could also spank pretty hard.

"I mean, I'm ready, Sir, and you could take me now if you want."

Grim chuckled behind her.

Josh's lips curled slightly. "Not going to save you, baby."

"I think you should go to the bed and place your hands on the mattress, ass in the air," Grim ordered against her ear. Then he gave her lobe a nip she felt in her pussy. "Now, Nic."

Josh was grinning. "Though it was a good try. I liked the use of Sir." His expression hardened. "Who's in charge in the bedroom, Nicole?"

An easy answer. She was. She was always in control because they would never hurt her. However, it was fun to let go. "You are, Sir. You and Grim. My Masters."

"That's right. Now do as Grim said." Josh kicked out of his shoes.

She wanted to watch him get naked, but she knew an order when she heard one. When Grim's arms came down, she marched over to the bed and placed her palms flat on the mattress. Like the rest of the primary bedroom, this bed was built for three. It was massive and comfy, and she loved sleeping in between them.

It was a good thing since she planned to do it for the rest of her life.

"Spread your legs wider, Nicole," Grim ordered. "Or I can get the spreader bar out."

She moved her feet apart, giving him the access he desired. He would do it. Grim would bring the spreader out and then spend the next hour tying her down and playing with ropes while she died of arousal. She needed to avoid the spreader because her whole body was already pulsing with need.

"Did I tell you thank you for standing up for me today?" Grim asked as his hand ran down the line of her spine. He started at the nape of her neck and brushed down her back, lighting her skin wherever he touched. "I would have told you I didn't want you to put yourself in harm's way."

"You would be wrong," Josh said. "She's part of us. She's not going to sit on the sidelines. We don't love her because she plays things safe. We love her because she's fierce."

Grim leaned over, laying kisses on the small of her back. "I did need it. You standing up for me made me feel worthy. I don't care what anyone else thinks, though it was nice to be supported. But all I need to know is I have my family."

"Always," Nicole promised.

Grim stepped back and then a hard smack against her ass had her gasping.

"But you better be careful," Josh said. "I want you to be you, but that also means being aware of the danger around you. You put Ezekiel in his place. You don't ever find yourself alone with him. Do I make myself clear?"

Another smack and the pain wracked through her followed by a crazy wave of heat. "I have no plans to be around him, and Grim, don't think I'll be messing around trying to fix your family issues. You have the best family in the world. Those others aren't family at all. They're people we avoid."

This time the smack came from her left. Grim's hand. "Keep it that way. And don't ever hold back on me. If he says something to you, I want to know. Him or those sons of his."

Sweet words. She knew at least one of those men was his brother, but he'd made his choice. Grim was leaving them all behind, and that meant leaving his fear and anxiety behind. She could do it, too. She, like Grim, had a place in this family.

"I think they'll get some pushback from now on," Josh said. "Ignoring them might have emboldened them. It might be time to look into his church. But we'll have my uncles do it. I wouldn't put a woman in that man's line of fire. Don't worry about this. She's got Harlow on her, and Landon as backup. She's safe. We're going to make sure of it."

"Or we could keep her right here in this house forever. She can stay naked and tied up and I'll never have to worry about where she is," Grim offered.

Nicole turned her head. "That is not happening, you two. I will not be locked in a…"

She'd been about to say prison when the next smack stuck the word in her throat. He'd been serious.

"You will remember where you are. We're playing and you're our sweet sub in this bedroom," Josh announced. He smacked her cheeks three more times in rapid succession, building the heat with each slap. And then a hand slid between her legs, and she felt a big finger slide over her clitoris. Josh teased her, making her bite her bottom lip to keep from calling out. "We will tie you up and spank your sweet ass and have you any way we like. Am I understood?"

Oh, she understood she was in for a hell of a night. "Yes, Sir."

His big finger slid across her clit again, and pleasure sparked through her. A bit more and she would be reeling, but she stayed the instinct to rub against his hand. It would do nothing but get her in more trouble. She didn't want discipline when she was so close to getting what she needed.

"That's what I like to hear," Grim said as his hand smoothed over her aching cheeks. "Yes. You keep saying yes to us, baby."

She would always say yes to them. Well, most of the time. "Yes, Grim. Yes, Josh."

In this she would always say yes, including when Grim wanted to tie her up and carry her around like his favorite piece of luggage.

"You need to get ready," Josh said. "So we can get her ready. She's so close she's going to go off with no trouble at all. She's so wet."

"Then I'm going to love my part of getting her ready," Grim vowed.

She heard a rustle behind her as both men seemed to take a step back. It looked like they were finally ready to move on to the next part of their adventure. She sure was, but she remained there at the end of the bed, her ass in the air because she was being a good girl for now.

Grim tossed his big body on the bed in front of her. He'd gotten out of all those clothes, and every inch of him was on display. "Come on up here with me."

Did he want her to get his cock in her mouth? A wicked sense of power always came over her when she licked and sucked and stroked their cocks. She loved it when their hands twisted in her hair and then they couldn't keep up their control a single moment longer and let loose.

Nicole climbed on the bed, crawling over Grim's muscular legs, but when she tried to lower her head, he stopped her.

"Keep going, baby. I'm sure we'll get to that sometime tonight, but for now I'm going to get you ready. Sit on my face and let me eat my fill." The words were low and sent a thrill through her.

He moved her into position, knees splayed above his shoulders as she balanced herself against the headboard. He pulled her hips down and then she felt the first stroke of his tongue. Grim groaned, the sound reverberating against her pussy. He ran his big thumbs along her labia, rubbing and stretching her so he could spear her with his tongue.

Pure sensation ran through her as she rode his tongue, and then she felt a hand on the small of her back. Josh. Josh was on the bed with them and he was…

The feel of him parting the cheeks of her ass and dripping warm lube on her threatened to knock the breath from her lungs.

"Relax, baby," Josh ordered. "You've taken a plug. You can take me. I'll make sure of it. Grim's going to eat your pussy until you can't think straight and then he's going to fuck it while I take this sweet asshole of yours. Both of us. We'll both be inside you, and we won't ever want to leave."

Desire sparked through her as Grim continued his sweet assault on her tender flesh and she felt Josh's fingers massage the lube around her hole. Her whole body tightened as he pressed in. She held her breath, trying to relax.

"Don't you keep me out," Josh whispered.

Grim slid his tongue over her clitoris as Josh thrust his finger deep inside.

"She's ready," Josh said on a low groan. "She's going to be so fucking tight. Come on, baby. Let's get Grim in position. I can't wait."

She heard the sound of a condom tearing, and Josh eased her back so Grim could wrap the condom on his rock-hard cock and settle her down on his hips.

Grim's eyes were dark with desire, his lips covered in her arousal. His tongue came out, swiping over his bottom lip. "You taste like heaven. Come here."

She could feel his cock teasing her entrance as Josh moved behind her, getting himself ready. Grim pulled her down for a long kiss, his tongue still tasting like her. It was wildly erotic to taste her own arousal on his lips, to know how much he craved her.

She kissed him, their tongues mating as he thrust his cock deep, filling her up while Josh moved in behind them.

"That is so fucking sexy." Josh's hands found her hips and then she felt something hot and hard against her ass. "Hold her still for me."

Grim's arms went around her. "Don't move, baby. Just ride the wave."

The wave was made of jangly sensation as she felt her asshole being split by a monster cock. He was way bigger than the plug, and she was already full of Grim's. Nicole forced herself to breathe as Josh worked his way in.

"You can handle him, baby," Grim promised her, his mouth hovering beneath hers. He dragged his tongue over her bottom lip. "You were born to take your men."

"You feel so good," Josh groaned, and then she felt herself relax, his big cock sliding deep. "So fucking good. Grim, I'm ready."

"I'm so ready." Grim laid his head back, grinning up at her. He looked younger in that moment, far more carefree than she'd ever seen the man. "Love you so much, baby."

"I love you, too. Love both of you." It welled up inside her, the emotion mingling with desire. It was a heady mixture that enveloped her.

Grim thrust up and then Josh guided her hips back, forcing her to take all of him.

They rocked back and forth, finding a rhythm she couldn't deny. Grim's cock would stroke the sweet spot deep inside her pussy and then Josh would light up every nerve in her asshole.

They rode her body, Nicole moving between them, the rhythm instinctual. Josh fucked her ass in long strokes. When he thrust her down, Grim ground his hips up, rubbing her clitoris.

It was all too much. She clutched at Grim as she came, pleasure overwhelming her every sense.

This was what it meant to feel free. Nicole held on as her men tightened and then released, finding their pleasure. Free to love. Free to live. Free to simply be who she was without worrying all the time if she would lose it all.

She couldn't lose them. They loved her. They would fight to stay the family they wanted to be.

Josh fell on top of her, rolling them all into a soft warm pile of arms and limbs and lips as they kissed her. She couldn't tell who was touching what, but she knew the truth.

She was finally home.

* * * *

Grim sat beside Nicole, Josh on her other side, supporting her as they stared at the big monitor connecting them to Kimberly Kent.

The night before had been everything he could have hoped for. More. Even if it had been interrupted by Buddy waking up at the crack of dawn and howling in his crate. Grim had rolled out of bed and opened the crate, easing the dog out and taking him outside to relieve himself.

Buddy was coming along nicely. He'd even forgiven them for the nap he hadn't meant to take. Sleep and not being in pain had worked wonders for the pup. Normally it was weeks before a dog like Buddy would lie in his new mom's lap, but he was curled up on Nicole's.

"Could you explain to Nicole how you came to talk to Laura Holloway and why you think this is legitimate?" Josh began.

Kimberly Kent sat next to a handsome kid who couldn't be past twenty-three or so. Roman Kent was a serious-looking young man with deep blue eyes behind his glasses and a swath of brown hair. "When I realized there was something wrong with the case, I decided it would be in the best interests of everyone involved if I did some digging."

A brow rose over Roman's eyes, and he looked up from the notes he'd been making. "You realized it?"

There was a deep snort from off camera. "Your son."

Kimberly's eyes rolled. "Sorry, guys. That's my deeply sarcastic husband, and I have to admit when our daughter is super stubborn, I blame it on him, so it's fair. When my son convinced me something was wrong, I wanted to talk to everyone in the family to get a sense of what forces might have caused the rift leading to Micah Holloway's murder. I explained I needed everyone's input on who you are as a person to help direct me to where you might flee. Ted and your in-laws were eager to speak to me."

"I bet they were," Nicole said. "I'm sure they talked about what a gold digger I was."

Kim sighed. "Yeah. They weren't exactly kind. They pretty much blamed everything on you, and in my first interview, Laura toed the line. However, she called me four days ago and told a different story. She claims she has evidence you didn't commit the murder."

"What kind of evidence?" Grim wanted it to be good. DNA. Something forensic no one could deny.

"I believe she's been putting this together for a couple of years now," Roman said. "Likely since the murder. She's shown us several files containing security logs. Micah Holloway lived on the family estate grounds."

Nicole nodded. "Yes. So did Ted. It's kind of like the ranch except without the ranch part. They own a large swath of land outside of town, and there are several homes around the property. Micah and I lived in the one closest to the main road. I had to use a clicker thing to get in the gate."

"Then the logs should show you got there after Micah's death." This could work. He wanted Nic out from under this cloud. Of course then the real danger would begin. If they couldn't prove Nicole's account of the incident, her brother-in-law would be walking around free and likely looking to silence the only witness to his crime.

"Ted is good with a computer," Nicole explained. "I assumed he could fix those records or hire someone to do it for him. The whole place was wired for security. Even inside the house there were cameras. I assumed he either turned them off or came up with some kind of deep fake to show the police."

"Can we prove he faked the logs?" Josh asked. "We know some people who are excellent with technology."

"We have our own," Kim promised. "But I think she's going to offer us something better. I think she has the original footage. Those would show Ted killed his brother, and Nicole came on the scene long after. She's hedging on telling us exactly what it is, but I think she thinks she needs leverage. She's not what I would call a trusting soul."

"She's been in the Holloway family for almost twenty years. I can't believe she's managed to work up the will to leave," Nicole admitted. "I wasn't exactly close to her. When I got married, she told me I should keep my mouth shut and do as I was told. I probably should have listened to her."

Grim brought her hand to his lips, kissing her fingers. "That's all in the past."

"Yes, now she knows how to punch," a feminine voice said, reminding him they weren't alone. Olivia was back from her trip to Bliss and in a super sour mood, though she'd hugged Nicole when she'd come in to breakfast this morning.

"And kick a guy in the balls," Harlow said from her place on the couch beside Olivia.

"I think I should train more on that skill," Olivia said with a nod.

He had no idea what had gone so wrong in Bliss, but it had put his sister in a foul mood. She'd gotten in the night before and had been frowning ever since.

"Girls." Dad, Pops, and Mom were seated on the opposite sofa, listening in.

"The last few years have been hard on Laura," Roman chimed in. "I found some hospital records that indicate she's been physically abused. A fractured arm, a concussion. No police reports were filed."

Nicole went tense. "I didn't think Ted was physically abusive. There were times when I heard him telling Micah to stop hitting me. Not because he cared or anything. He thought Micah would get caught eventually. I knew he played a lot of mind games on her and he had total financial control of her life, but I never saw him hit her."

"I think this is relatively new," Kim agreed. "We searched records back before their marriage and it was only six months after the murder when she started needing medical attention. It's possible the murder was a trigger that led to her husband becoming violent."

"So you think Laura Holloway is trying to protect herself?" Grim wanted to understand the situation.

"She's finally figured out nothing is going to change," Kim replied.

Nicole seemed to consider the situation for a moment. "How old are her kids now? Ted was ten years older than his brother. By the time I came on the scene, Laura had three kids and they weren't babies."

Roman nodded. "Her youngest is in college. The University of Michigan."

"Where her parents live," Nicole said as though the knowledge made a puzzle piece slide into place. "The kids are adults, and at least one of them is living close to where she would find refuge. He doesn't have the kids to hold over her anymore."

"Another reason he could have become violent. He knew he was losing control." Grim couldn't stand the thought Nicole had been caught in such a violent world. "So she's holding this evidence against her husband in an effort to get us to send her the money to safely get away."

"Are we sure this isn't complete crap and all this will do is send them straight here?" Josh asked.

Their dad nodded from his seat. Jack had been quiet most of the meeting, deferring to Josh and Grim. Grim had been grateful to have Jack in the room though. He knew there was no one he would rather have than his dad watching their backs.

"She sent us the logs," Jack explained. "I wouldn't move forward without them."

"Those security logs are proof Nicole didn't show up until several hours after the coroner reported time of death." Roman looked through his notes. "I was able to pull some security footage from a couple of businesses around town that prove Nicole's timeline. All of this is excellent news, but obviously the holy grail of this case is going to be actual video of the murder. We'll be able to clear Nicole's name entirely and quickly."

"And get Ted Holloway behind bars," Kim added.

"That's amazing," Nicole said, her hand going to pet the dog on her lap. "I could be a free woman in a matter of hours?"

Grim glanced Josh's way, exchanging a look of worry with his best friend. Josh nodded, letting him know one of them had to take the lead. "You've said the Holloway family is important to the town. How can we be sure they'll arrest Nicole's brother-in-law? It wouldn't be the first time cops let a little something like proof of murder slide for rich folks."

"Not if she leaks it to the press," Harlow offered.

"Absolutely," Kim agreed. "If they refuse to reopen the case, we'll go straight to the press, but I don't think it's going to be a problem. In the last couple of years the family's sway on the town has loosened up as the company they own downsized and moved most of the jobs overseas."

Nicole's head shook. "It won't matter to Sheriff Reynolds. He'll still be taking bribes from the family."

Roman's lips kicked up. "Yeah, he lost his last election. There's a new sheriff in town."

Kim shook her head. "You were just waiting to say that, weren't you?"

Roman nodded, looking entirely unworried he'd moved into dad-joke territory. "Yeah."

"So we think this guy will do his job." Josh sat back.

"And quickly," Kim agreed.

"But obviously he'll get out on bail." Nicole suddenly seemed nervous again.

Grim didn't want to take the smile off her face. The morning had been so lovely, and she'd been relaxed and happy. "But if the video absolves you, he has no reason to come after you. In fact, it would be bad for his case to come anywhere near you. If the tape is what she says it is, then you'll be free of the Holloway family."

"I think they'll be way more interested in your sister-in-law," Josh advised. "Which is why we'll give her some protection. I'm going to assume you think she can testify."

Kim nodded on the screen. "She'll be an excellent witness, but I'm hoping that tape leads to a plea agreement."

"I think the Holloways will do anything they can to take the death penalty off the table, which means they'll have to plead," Roman continued. "When we have everything, I'll send a copy to your lawyer, Nicole. Lucas O'Malley. I take it he's the family attorney."

Nicole nodded. "For the Barnes-Fleetwood family. He also handles the business."

"If we need to get her a criminal attorney, we will," Josh added. "But Lucas knows what he's doing. I want her name cleared and all warrants rescinded as soon as possible. We plan on getting married within the year."

"That's not enough time," their mom complained.

Abby had been thrilled they were back together, but she thought they needed more time. Not for the relationship but for the massive wedding she was planning.

He wanted Nicole to wear their ring, to have the name they'd all agreed on.

"So you're meeting with her this afternoon?" Grim wanted the timeline.

"Yes," Roman explained. "She's going to give us the tape, and we're handing over the cash your father wired. We bought her plane ticket. She'll be in the air before her husband knows what's happened. We originally planned this meeting for next week, but she bumped up the timetable. I think she's worried for her safety."

"She should be. Ted's already proven he can be ruthless," Nicole said.

"We're going to catch a plane and meet her early this afternoon." Kim checked her watch. "I hope to have something for you by this evening."

"We'll be waiting," Josh said with a nod, but there was a tightness to his best friend that let Grim know he was still worried.

Grim was as well, but then he would be until the minute Ted Holloway was locked away.

"Can someone go out to the motel and pick up my stuff?" Kim asked. "I paid through the end of this week, but I don't think I need to fly back out there."

Harlow held up a hand. "I can grab it when I go into town if someone has a key."

"I do," Nicole acknowledged. "And I'd like to grab my things, too. I left a lot of my stuff in Kim's room because… Well, I got a little freaked out one night."

"Yes, that motel is not known for its safety record," Dad managed to say with a frown. "A lot of criminal activity goes on there. Harlow…"

Harlow groaned. "Uncle Jack, I get enough of this crap from my dads. I assure you I can handle walking into a motel in the light of day and getting all Kim's stuff packed up."

Dad's hands came up in acknowledgment. "Sorry. I'm overly protective."

"And I was paranoid," Nicole said. "I felt like someone was watching me all the time."

Roman cleared his throat. "Uhm…"

Nicole laughed suddenly. "Of course. It was your mom."

"Hey, I'm excellent at my job," Kim assured them. "I blend into the background."

There was another masculine snort, and this time a big muscular man wearing a T-shirt and jeans walked in front of the camera. He bent over and kissed his wife's head. "You, my love, always stand out."

She winked her husband's way. "All I'm saying is I'm not the one who freaked Nic out that night. It was probably the meth dealer two doors down. Or one of the drunks. They don't always remember where their rooms are. But I think it's safe enough to send someone to pick up my stuff. This should all be done in a couple of hours. I'll contact you when I have the footage in hand."

Kim gave them a wave and a smile and then she was gone.

Nicole sat back, her hand on Buddy's fur. "I can't believe it's almost done."

Josh leaned in, brushing a kiss over her lips. "Just because we're at the end doesn't mean we skip the safety protocols. I'm going to want those in play for a while."

Grim did, too. "I want Landon to go with you guys. And before I impugn Harlow's abilities, I need someone to stop by the shelter and pick up a package for me. I would drive you myself, but I've got to check in on a couple of herds. I'll be out of pocket most of the day, but I promise I'll be back for the afternoon call with Kim."

"And I have a couple of things I need to do as well," Josh said. "I have a call into Uncle Lucas. I think I'm going to file a lawsuit against your father's church. Not sure for what, but I'll find a way. I'm going to let those assholes know I'm done with them coming after my family."

"Or we could beat the shit out of them until they leave us alone." Grim knew which way he would go.

Pops grinned broadly as he helped Mom up. "I knew one of them would take after me. Grim's the only one making sense."

Dad sighed, but it was easy to see he was amused. "Josh knows what he's doing. He'll take care of the situation with the Smiths. It's time to make things uncomfortable for them. After Nicole and Alyssa taking him on last night, I've already heard some of the other young women of the town are calling for them to be removed from the square. I think they're going to fight back now."

"They needed to know it was okay," Nicole said. "Sometimes all it takes is knowing you're not alone. Although it's weird to be on the same side as Alyssa."

Olivia stood and yawned. "Yeah. I would have told you it would be a cold day in hell, but hey, all my instincts are off lately. I'm going to up to my room. I have some calls to make. Did I mention Trev McNamara's sons are obnoxious as hell?"

"Several times," Dad acknowledged.

"Well, they are," Olivia said as she turned and walked out.

"That did not go well." Pops followed her. "I'll see if I can get her talking."

Harlow straightened her shirt, looking over at Nicole. "You ready for a session? Landon's going to be a while before he can take us into town. I saw him riding out with the hands."

"I can call him back," Dad offered.

Nicole stood with Buddy in her arms. "It's fine. We can go after lunch. I would like a training session. Can we work on ball busting?"

And it was time for him to go to work. "Love you, baby. I'm going to protect my balls though."

"I'm with you, brother." Josh shook his head Harlow's way. "I think I liked it better when Nicole was worried you were in love with us and jealous of her."

Harlow's jaw dropped. "She thought what?"

Nicole held Buddy close to her chest. "Well, I didn't know. I know now. And Joshua Barnes-Fleetwood, you are a terrible man."

Josh winked her way. "Yeah, but I'm your man. And lucky you. Grim's here and he's practically an angel."

Nicole moved to him, going on her toes to press a kiss against his lips. "You be careful out there. Those cows can kick when they want to, and despite what I said before, I like your balls intact."

"And I'll go make sure lunch is coming along," Abby said, waving her children off.

"Now you've gone and scared your momma." Jack winked Nicole's way as he followed his wife out.

"Nothing scares my momma," Josh countered then moved in to surround Nicole, pressing his chest to her back. "You be careful. I love you, baby. I'll see you this afternoon. Grim, I'll make it back here for Kim's call, too."

Grim nodded.

Then they could truly begin.