Ignite (Legacy) (12 page)

“
M
idnight
. Do you understand me?” River’s voice was low and menacing.

“Y-y-yes, sir,” the boy said as he stood in our entry hall.

“I don’t care if it’s homecoming. I don’t care if you think you’re getting lucky tonight. You touch her in any way she doesn’t expressly ask for and they will never find your body.”

The kid paled, and I did my best not to sputter in laughter as I watched my husband from the stairs. “Yes, sir,” he said a little stronger now.

“Do you have condoms?”

“W-what?” the kid asked.

“Do you?” River barked.

“No, sir?” The kid panicked, looking back and forth like there was someone who might save him.

“Is that because you don’t believe in safe sex, or because you are well aware that you won’t be getting anywhere near her tonight?” River snapped.

“I…uh…I do believe in safe sex, I just haven’t had any yet,” the kid squeaked.

“Yet?” River barked.

“I’m not planning on starting tonight, sir!”

“Good answer. Midnight, or I come looking for you. I grew up here. I know all the spots, and I know exactly where your parents live. Do you understand me?”

“I do, sir.” The kid managed to stand upright, which I knew got him a little more respect in River’s eyes.

“Okay. As long as we understand each other, Devin.”

“We do,” the kid said.

“Is he done scaring him yet?” Addy asked, coming down the stairs in a silver, knee-length homecoming dress that made my little sister look like an angel.

“I think so. Maybe you should save him,” I suggested.

“Did you get enough pictures?”

I thought of the three dozen or so on my camera. “I think so. I sent a couple to Dad already, and he said you look gorgeous. Did you find your purse?”

“I did.” She hugged me. “Thank you.”

“I love you. Be safe. Call me if you need anything, do you understand?”

“I do,” she said.

Then she walked over to her date, kissing River’s cheek first. “I’ll be home by midnight, I promise.”

“Uh huh,” he muttered. “You’re more likely to break the curfew than he is.”

“Yeah, yeah. Love you,” she told him before they headed out to the dance.

I came up behind River as he watched from the front bay window. “He opened her door,” he said with approval.

Once they were out of the driveway, he pulled me into his arms. “She’s going to be the death of me. I swear.”

“You’re good at this dad thing,” I told River, reveling in the feel of him. A year of marriage and I still hadn’t tired of this. Longest honeymoon period ever.

“You think?”

“I do. And I’m glad.”

“Oh, are you?” he asked.

“Yeah, considering you’ll get to do it from the beginning in about seven months.” My teeth dug into my lower lip as I watched his every reaction.

He blinked down at me. “For real?” he whispered.

“Confirmed with the doc this morning,” I told him, tears prickling my eyes.

Sheer wonder filled his eyes. “A baby.”

“Our baby,” I confirmed.

He kissed me deep, his hand protectively covering my belly. “Amazing. Just…perfect.”

I sighed, leaning into his kiss. This was the kind of happiness I’d never dreamed of having, and yet here it was in overflowing abundance, filling every nook and cranny of my heart until I thought I’d burst.

His eyes flickered to the window and back to me. “Oh, God. What if it’s a girl?”

I laughed. “Would that be so bad?”

“I know you Claire girls. I’m going to need another gun.”

“Yeah, well, I can’t wait to see how much trouble a Maldonado girl will be.”

He paled. “Maybe two guns.”

He kissed me again, and I sank into him, losing myself in his love and the promise that forever gave us.

Moving here, choosing a life with River, it hadn’t just set me free.

It had brought me home.

R
ebecca Yarros is
a hopeless romantic and a lover of all things coffee, chocolate, and Paleo. She is the author of the Flight & Glory series, which includes
Full Measures
, the award-winning
Eyes Turned Skyward
,
Beyond What is Given
, and
Hallowed Ground
. She loves military heroes, and has been blissfully married to hers for fourteen years.

When she’s not writing, she’s tying hockey skates for her four sons, sneaking in some guitar time, or watching brat-pack movies with her two daughters. She lives in Colorado with the hottest Apache pilot ever, their rambunctious gaggle of kids, an English bulldog who is more stubborn than sweet, and a tortoise named Phillip who is faster than you’d think. They recently adopted their youngest daughter from the foster system, and Rebecca is passionate about helping others do the same.

Want to know about Rebecca’s next release? Join her mailing list
here
.

O
r check
her out online at
www.rebeccayarros.com
.