Page 67 of My Pleasure

Aiden didn’t even blink. “Sure.”

Caiden smiled. “It would be even better if all the houses had lit pathways for the kids.”

“Aiden, could your father help us find builders?” Augustus asked.

“Probably. Shoot me an email and I’ll call him later.”

Johann turned to Augustus. “What about the fae craftsmen?”

“King Darian will be here later. As he is already constructing his own warrior housing, I’ll ask him for recommendations,” Augustus replied.

Myra smiled. “You boys sure do know how to get things done.”

Meryn looked from Augustus to Connor to Rory. “I want cousins.”

Aiden choked on his bacon. “No.”

“Why not? I don’t have any cousins.”

Aiden sputtered. “You have Amelia! And Brie!”

Meryn shook her head. “Nut uh. They’re more like big-sister cousins. More sister than cousin.”

Scowling, Aiden jerked his finger toward the door. “Ask your Uncle Marshall and Aunt Lily for a cousin.”

Meryn crossed her arms over her chest defiantly. “Then they would be cousin nuggets. I wanna be the li’l cousin.”

Ryuu leaned down. “What about a cousin impressed you?”

She pointed to Augustus and Connor and Rory. “They’re like super dependable and cool.”

All three Armstrong cousins sat straighter smiling wide at her compliments.

“How would you feel if I introduced you to two individuals who could move in and help at the Alpha estate?” Ryuu asked, carefully.

Meryn’s scowl was fiercer than Aiden’s. “Then they wouldn’t be cousins.”

Ryuu held up his hand. “You could claim them as cousins if you wish.”

Meryn chewed on her lower lip.

“I have vetted them already and was going to ask about bringing them in,” he admitted.

“Why do we need anyone else? I have you.”

Ryuu ran his hand over her spiky curls. “Because after you have your baby, my attention will be divided.”

Meryn froze and she seemed to hunch in on herself. When she looked up at Ryuu, her eyes were shiny. “You want to pass me off to them?”

Ryuu knelt down next to her. “Never. Hakuto was chosen for his gentle nature. He is an artist and scholar. I chose him to be your child’s nanny. Kuron is a warrior without peer. He would focus solely on keeping your child safe.”

“And you?” Meryn asked quietly.

“Meryn, you will always have my entire devotion. They will help me serve you without failing your child.” Ryuu took her hand, kissed it, then raised it to his forehead in a sort of benediction. “They will become pillars to help your House grow.”

She wiped her nose with her other hand. “Okay. As long as you stay mine.”

He stood and bowed. “I would have it no other way. Now. Should I contact your new ‘cousins’?”