Page 84 of Taking What Was His

Jayden’s shoulders relaxed.

Roman saw the emotions race across the boy’s face. “You can ask me anything.”

“Are you really going to marry my mom?”

Roman grinned. “I hate to tell you this, bud, but you’re marrying me, too.”

Jayden snorted but then grinned. “Fine, but don’t ever say that in front of anyone else, because it sounds really weird.”

Roman laughed. “I won’t.”

“And you really want me at the wedding?”

“Oh, heck, yeah. I’m going to need you there. You’re going to have to help me handle your mom. You know her a lot better than I do, so you have to come.”

Jayden grinned. “If you change your mind...”

“I won’t.”

“Who knows about Vegas?”

Roman grinned. “Only the three of us know.”

“Will your family get mad?”

“First of all, it’s our family, and no. As long as we have a party to celebrate, they’ll be fine.”

“Cool. I’m going to head to bed.”

“All right. I’m right behind you.”

Roman stopped Jayden before he left the room. “Hey, bud. If you need either of us, any time, come get us. Just, for God’s sake, knock unless you want to see us smooching.”

Jayden chuckled and then made choking sounds. “Don’t worry. I won’t make that mistake. Ever. Some things you just can’t unsee.”

Roman threw his head back and laughed. “You’re right about that. I’ll tell you a few stories about my childhood that still give me nightmares. One was when I walked in on my mom naked in the bathroom. We both screamed. I’m telling you, it was horrible. We couldn’t look at each other for days after that.”

Jayden laughed until he was clutching his stomach. “Oh, man. That’s hilarious.”

Roman grunted. “Maybe for you it is, but I still have the psychological damage from it.”

Jayden grinned and held up his hand. “Night.”

“Good night.”

Roman checked the doors, turned on the security system, and turned off the lights. He headed to his bedroom with the thought that he’d want to put a system in Beth and Jayden’s house. He’d have to bring it up to Beth later.

His heart shuddered when he walked into his room to see her already asleep in his bed, and it gave him the most profound feeling of contentment he’d ever had.

He knew he’d do everything in his power to protect her and Jayden because he couldn’t ever see his life without them.

Roman slipped into bed and pulled her tightly against his chest. He loved how she sighed and wiggled to get closer.

He pressed his lips against the back of her head and closed his eyes. He hadn’t let himself think about the fact that he could have lost her today, but at that moment it flashed in his brain.

He breathed slowly and steadily for a minute, letting the tension drain from him as he reminded himself he got to her in time and she was safe in his arms.

That’s all that mattered.