Page 181 of Angel

‘The audacity,’ I muttered, resting my hands over my bump. ‘If I hadn’t been carrying these extra pounds, I swear I’d have turned the barrel on her.’

‘Badass,’ Levi growled as he kissed me on the cheek and prowled in.

Gathering on the terrace with beers, they piled on more grief on Angel for his shoulder injury, but I sensed the love and deep concern underneath their teasing.

Sofia arrived moments later loaded with bags, followed by Jude, carrying two huge pans that released the rich aroma of roasted garlic and parmesan.

At the door, she pulled me into a long, tight hug.

‘You OK?’

‘More than OK, honey, now that it’s over.’

‘Other than my cousin Anya, I never had a sister, honey, and it feels like you’re my sorella,’ Sofia murmured against my hair, squeezing me tight. ‘So please treat me like one. Call, pester, whine, whatever you need. I’m here for you.’

I blinked back tears because for most of my life no one had ever extended true sisterhood to me.

‘Thank you, Sofia. I see you as a sister too, along with five crazy brothers and one delicious husband. I appreciate the feast as well. It’s so kind of you, honey.’

‘Anything for you.’

‘Out of my way, queens,’ Jude called out from behind his wife, sauntering in with full hands to set his payload in the kitchen.

Sofia commandeered my kitchen as she unpacked a feast of baked lasagna, chicken piccata, and warm garlic knots.

We chatted and laughed together as we prepped the serving dishes, and the men set the dining table.

We gathered around soon after, digging into the delectable food while lively banter bounced off the kitchen walls.

‘So, Angel, did you hit Evangeline with a left hook or just bore her to sleep with a lecture?’ Levi teased, grinning wide.

‘Want to really know, mate? I’m happy to demonstrate on you,’ Angel shot back, with an arched brow.

I sat back, leaning my head against his broad shoulder, contentment swelling in me as we all laughed.

Later that afternoon, the guys moved to the living room to watch a game.

Sofia and I soaked up the sunshine on the terrace, sipping fruity mocktails and swapping stories.

When dusk settled, hugs and kisses went all around as the crew and Sofia packed up to leave.

As we waved goodbye at the door, Angel squeezed me hard, and I turned my face into his neck.

So happy, so content, in the arms of the man of my dreams.

‘Love me Rox?’

‘Always.’

He kissed me then, giving it to me wet, sweet, melding, showing me with more than words how precious our love was.

At three in the morning, I knifed out of bed, gasping as a sudden, blinding cramp seized my lower back.

‘Angel.’

I gasped, clutching his forearm through the dark.

‘Baby’s coming. Right now.’