Page 50 of Jared's Redemption

“Okay little buddy, let’s whip you and I up a drink and let your papa get some sleep.” I say, snatching the diaper bag up as I walk into the kitchen.

By the time Luna comes downstairs, I’m leaning against the counter with the baby sleeping in my arm and sipping coffee while swaying softly.

“Is he dead or sleep deprived?” Luna smirks, pointing over her shoulder as her brother snores from the other room.

“Hopefully, the second one. This guy is due any minute for a messy diaper and that’s where my Uncle Jared role ends.” I frown at the peaceful infant. Luna covers her mouth, staring at us.

“Shh, I can basically hear you ovulating. You’re gonna wake the baby.” I whisper, grinning at her pinched face when she gives me the finger. A soft commotion from the other room makes my lip curl in amusement.

“Leo?” Aden cries, panic clear in his voice. Luna and I shush him, both of us watching the baby with fearful eyes, but he stays asleep as his father sprints into the kitchen. He frantically looks between us, a wave of relief washing over his face.

“You can’t just fall asleep on the couch with a baby. Especially my couch.” I snap at him, handing his son back to him. Aden looks away, obviously annoyed.

“I know that. Things have just been hard at home and nobody is really sleeping much.” He grits out. Luna reaches out, giving his arm a gentle squeeze and motioning for him to hand her the baby.

“Come to auntie, let daddy get a cup of coffee and we can talk.” She coos, sniffing the infant’s head.

“Why do they do that?” I mutter, turning to pour Aden a cup of coffee. He snorts, happily taking the steaming mug with a nod of appreciation.

“Apparently, it’s that new baby smell.” He says, following me back to the living room. Luna is swaying in the sunlight, her bright hair reflecting the sun as she beams her beautiful smile at her nephew.

“Won’t be long before you guys have one of your own,” Aden says, smiling at his sister. I tense, cutting a look at him before looking back at Luna. Her face of wonder is replaced by fear as the baby fusses, his loud protests startling her.

“Or not.” She mutters, quickly handing him back to Aden. The look of concern on her face makes me laugh as I snag her wrist to pull her into my lap. Luna leans back against my chest, a content sigh falling from her lips as she snags my coffee, taking a sip from it. She stops sipping, frowning up at me.

“You don’t like creamer.” She accuses. I shrug, trying not to laugh at her look of betrayal.

“No, but you do.”

“You knew I was going to drink your coffee.” She says, shaking her head at me.

“I feel like I’m intruding.” Aden says, rocking his son and glaring at me.

“You are.” I say, earning a smack from Luna.

Watching her animatedly talk with her brother brought me a sense of peace. Right here, I had my little family, and the Barone family as well. I never would have imagined this was a life I’d be able to have. I owed it all to Luna, my love, my redemption.

“We’ve got a problem.” Aden admits, holding his phone out for me to read a text across the screen.

“Who sent this?” My voice is level, while uneasiness drifts through my mind.

“Give back what was never yours in the first place or lose everything?” Luna reads out loud, scoffing at the anonymous message. Aden reaches out, taking his phone back and shaking his head.

“I don’t know, but Nina is missing. She disappeared two days ago, right after I got this message. I need help.” He admits, his voice breaking as he looks down at his son. Carefully shifting Luna onto the seat as I stand, I pull my phone out and clap a hand on Aden’s shoulder.

“Let me call Alec and Markus. We’ll help you find her and figure out what’s going on.” I say.

This family was one worth fighting for.

Also By Natoshia Baer

Our Darling Isabelle

She spent her entire life fixing her mother’s mistakes, but this one was different. What can Isabelle do when she is offered up as payment for her mother’s debt? The Barone brothers aren’t used to being told no and they don’t have any hesitation taking what they want. And they want her. Isabelle’s problems only grow when she develops feelings for these brothers, and their enemies become her own.

“Two years. Give us two years and if at the end you still want out, you leave with your debt erased.” I offer. Her eyebrows raise as she thinks it over. A few tense moments pass before she gives a curt nod.

“Fine. But at the end of the two years, I’m leaving.” She says firmly. The thought nearly tears my chest open, but I smile and nod, kissing her lips.

“Deal.” I whispered against her mouth.

I’m a lying son of a bitch. She’s never getting away from us.