Chapter 32

32

Gene tucked his son in, with hands that shook more than he wanted to admit. How close his friend had come to losing his own son tonight—this little boy was his entire world. His family and this little boy—they were why his heart just kept beating.

After he had Calvin snuggled in tight, with his stuffed Scraggle-Popp in his arms, he stepped out into the hall.

And came face to face with... Chantal.

Before he could even stop himself, he scooped her off of her feet and into his arms. She gave a perfect little squeak that made him want to completely kiss the hell out of her.

Gene carried her into his bedroom next door. It was a well-made house. Soundproof. No one would hear them in there.

He needed to hold her, too.

He lowered her to her feet, then wrapped her up and held her close.

"What are you doing?" she asked in a breathless little voice that struck him hard in the chest. "Gene?"

"I just need to hold you." He buried his face in her red hair for a moment. And breathed her in. "Are you feeling any better?”

"A little. I just needed to eat something, and the sensor needed changed. I always carry spares."

"You sure you’re okay?" The idea that something could be wrong in an instant... terrified him.

"Yes. Just a little tired. Is Calvin tucked in?"

"He is a little upset. He heard that it was his buddy Ryan who was hurt tonight. It took a bit longer than usual to settle him down. To be honest, Genny usually helps at night. I think... I may depend on her a bit too much with him lately."

She’d become de facto mom to his son. Gene would never be able to repay his little sister for that.

"I don’t think she minds at all. She loves him. And you. Very much."

"Yeah. And now Giavonna is moving home, too." His sister had told them earlier. She needed to come home for a while. Of course she could—no questions asked. If he had his way, he’d have Greer tucked in her own suite every night, too. Where he could take care of her, too. Because he loved them.

"So I heard."

"Don’t get me wrong. I’m thrilled. I love my sisters. But something’s going on with her that I can’t put my finger on." He tightened his hold on Chantal, then scooped her up again. He carried her over to the cushy recliner he’d bought for his own space years ago. When he and Carly had lived here together, and she’d wanted a retreat from his annoying younger brothers. She’d only lived there for the duration of her pregnancy and a few months after.

No one had liked her there much.

Especially him.

He’d gotten rid of every other memory of his short marriage, but had kept the chair.

It was plenty big enough for two. He settled down, with Chantal still on his lap, and kicked out the foot. He hooked his arms around her when she squirmed. "Nope. Not going anywhere. I’m not ready to let go of you yet at all. I need to hold you, after tonight. More than I need anything in the world."

"Gene?" She pushed up on his chest with one small hand. "Talk to me."

"Ryan was in the backseat, in the middle, and as safe as Hudson could make him. And that guy ran them off the road. There was nothing Huds could do. Life can be... so tenuous, honey. He could have lost his son. Just like... we could have lost Greer fifteen years ago. Or we could have lost you... I guess that I’m getting to the point in life where... I am trying to figure out what matters most. And I know it now—it’s my son in there, and my sisters. My brothers and parents. My friends. And—you. I want to matter to you more than I have ever wanted to any other woman before."

His hold tightened on her. And he just... held her right where she was.