“And want some of these.” Jace took Tallulah from Bullet, nuzzling her and making cooing noises.

Diesel felt a smile tugging at his lips, but he didn’t say a word as they cracked jokes like he was part of their secret husband society or some shit. He wasn’t ready for kids, but he sure as hell was sticking around.

“Anyone else planning on taking their hat into the bedroom tonight?” Jed waggled his brows.

Diesel scoffed. “With Tracey lookin’ like that, she’ll be lucky to make it indoors.”

The guys laughed.

Diesel lifted his chin in Red’s direction as she headed over in black jeans and a black button-down shirt with silver trim, her red hair tamed by her cowgirl hat.

“Can you believe how big our family has gotten?” Red looked out at the kids chasing one another around the yard and everyone else laughing and having a good time.

They used the term family so easily, encompassing everyone within their close-knit, though vast, circle. Diesel cherished that word like the most sought-after designation in the universe. Ever since his mother died, no matter where he was, he’d always felt like an outsider. But thanks to Tracey, he was starting to realize he’d put himself on the other side of that invisible line. That was fine when it was just him he was worried about. In fact, it was what he needed. But Tracey had spent years isolated against her will, with no contact with friends or family, and he never wanted her to feel alone again. He knew if he wanted that for her, he needed to step over that line and try to let the people who had been so good to him—invited him for New Year’s Eve, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all the holidays in between—into his life in a more meaningful way.

Like family.

Red’s gaze moved over Bullet, Jace, and Moon, coming to rest on Diesel. “And now that you’ve decided to stick around, our family is even bigger. I’m so glad you’re staying, sweetheart.”

She was looking at him with an expression so similar to his mother’s, it brought a flood of unexpected emotions. That was happening a lot lately. “Thanks, Red. I’d do anything for Tracey.”

The guys eyed each other, big-ass grins spreading across their faces.

“Dude, you waited so long to make a move, I was beginning to wonder if you had a heart under all those muscles.” Jace chuckled.

“I’m still shocked that Tracey saw through all your grunts and growls,” Bullet added.

Diesel glowered at him.

“Brandon Whiskey.” Red’s use of Bullet’s given name earned Bullet’s full attention. “You were not exactly all fluff and sugar before Finlay came into your life.”