Page 147 of Bound By Blood and Lies

“…Excuse me,” he says flatly into the phone.

Before either of us can react, he hangs up, storms across the lounge and carefully but firmly removes Finn straight out of Atlas’ arms.

“No,” he barks, “one time! I gave you one time! That is all you’re allowed.”

Atlas blinks, opening and closing his mouth before looking down at his empty arms still frozen in the position of holding a baby. Then he slowly looks back up at me. Roman turns on his heel before carrying Finn over to me. Our son barely even grumbles as Roman presses a quick kiss against the top of his head before placing him gently into my arms and leaning down to kiss me.

“How are my babies?” he murmurs against my mouth.

“I wouldn’t know. Our son’s being kidnapped repeatedly,” I smile.

“Exactly my point,” he narrows his eyes as I roll mine.

“Leave them alone.”

“Never,” he stage whispers, “I have to work. Stay here and I’ll bring you some food.”

“Okay,” I smile as he kisses both mine and Finn’s head before standing to his full height.

He grabs his phone before disappearing into the kitchen muttering something about people being “too comfortable touching his child”. The second he vanishes through the doorway, Atlas calmly walks straight over and lifts Finn back out of my arms. I stare at him. Atlas stares back.

“…Did you just wait for him to leave?”

“Yes.”

A laugh escapes me. “Is he ever going to get used to people holding Finn?”

“Did he get used to people hugging you?” Atlas replies whilst settling back into the armchair with Finn tucked carefully against his chest again.

“Well, when you put it like that,” I muse just as Riggs walks into the lounge holding a packet of biscuits.

“There’s my favourite nephew,” he gasps before making his way across the room to make a grab for Finn.

Atlas physically turns his body in the chair to get away from him.

“Don’t even think about it,” he whisper-hisses.

Riggs freezes. “Excuse me?”

“I have only just got him back,” Atlas says calmly whilst moving Finn slightly further against his chest. “Wait your turn.”

I blink at the sight of Atlas silently hoarding a newborn baby like a dragon protecting treasure and Riggs looks equally horrified by the betrayal.

“You’re all fucking insane,” I laugh.

“I’m insane?” Riggs repeats whilst pointing toward Atlas. “He just stole my nephew.”

“He stole him back,” Atlas corrects calmly.

“That implies ownership.”

Atlas glances down at Finn sleeping peacefully against his chest and a smile tugs at his lips as he lifts his large hand to run a finger down his soft cheek. “Correct.”

Riggs dramatically drops onto the floor beside the armchair with a heavy thud. One of his arms lands across Atlas’ legs whilst he stares up at Finn like he’s being denied visitation rights.

“You’re a selfish bastard,” Riggs mutters.

I snort into the blanket wrapped around my legs whilst Riggs screws his face up like Atlas has deeply offended him. Honestly,watching a group of emotionally damaged killers argue over holding a newborn baby might be one of the funniest things I’ve ever witnessed. Finn squirms softly against Atlas’ chest and Riggs immediately lifts his head.