When they’d finished eating, Biggs took the kids into the living room and read to them, while Red and Pamela cared for the babies, and Bullet made Finlay put her feet up. Everyone else helped clean up. Once the kids had left the room, the guys unleashed more dirty jokes without using code words, causing Roni and some of the other girls to blush as much as they laughed. Even Diesel cracked a smile, which did little to soften his granitelike features.

It was the most wonderful Thanksgiving Roni had ever had. While she missed her grandmother, with Quincy and all of her new friends, there was no room for loneliness. Once the last dish had been washed, Quincy took her hand, leading her out of the kitchen, and said, “I want to show you something.”

He was striking in his jeans and black sweater as he led her upstairs, down a hall, and through a door that led up another flight, into the glassed-in crow’s nest she’d seen when they’d arrived. Before she could say a word, he hauled her against him, taking her in a warm, sensual kiss that lasted so long she tingled from head to toe.

“Sorry, babe,” he said. “I’ve wanted to do that all evening.”

She wound her arms around his neck, running her fingers through the back of his hair, and said, “I’m glad you wanted more after all the kisses we shared during dinner.”

“Those were appetizers.” He pressed his lips to hers again. “Are you having a good time?”

“How could I not? This family of yours is what dreams are made of. There’s so much love and support, it’s like the stories Tru used to make up for you. I wish you could have grown up with them so you would have always had the love you deserved.”

“God, baby, that big heart of yours gets me every time.” He kissed her again and said, “Your lips, too.” He kissed her slow and sweet, and then he tucked her against his side, and they went to the windows, gazing out as snowflakes drifted down from the sky.

“It’s snowing,” she said excitedly.

“I requested snow just for you.” His phone rang, and he cursed quietly. “Sorry.” He pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at the screen. “It’s Simone. I need to take it. The holidays can be hard.”

“Of course. Want me to wait downstairs?”

“No way.” He kept her close as he answered the call. “Hey, Simone.”

He was quiet, listening, and Roni felt his body go rigid. He stepped away from her, jaw tight, eyes serious, and said, “Are you hurt?” He paused, his chest expanding with fast inhalations. “Stay with Sunny. I’m on my way.”

As he ended the call, Roni said, “Is she okay?”

“She had a run-in with her ex and she’s shaken up, but she’s at the shelter and safe now. I’m sorry, baby, but I have to go and make sure she doesn’t slip backward because of this. Would it be okay if Tru gave you a ride home?”