He dragged in a deep breath. His feelings weren’t important right now, not while Charles Carlson’s life hung in the balance.

“Easton and his family—” Harlow waved at the others “—have been keeping me safe. All of us.”

Her mother’s mouth dropped open.

“And I’m staying with Easton.” Harlow’s gaze met his. “And I’m…in love with him.”

His fingers flexed on her shoulder.

“Oh.” Mrs. Carlson swallowed. “And how do you feel about my daughter, Mr. Norcross?”

“Mom!”

“I’ve met handsome, rich men before, Harlow. They take what they want, then discard it when they’re done.” The woman’s gaze met his head on. Behind him, Easton heard Saxon and his brothers chuckling quietly.

Eleanor Carlson was clearly finding her spine.

“I want to know your intentions toward my daughter.”

Harlow groaned.

Scarlett snickered. “Mom, did that yoga retreat include some sassiness lessons?”

“Mrs. Carlson, I’m in love with your daughter,” Easton said.

Harlow’s face softened, and she smiled.

“And I plan to marry her.”

Harlow choked. “What?”

Eleanor smiled. “Well, that’s very good to hear.”

Harlow shook her head. “I… I…”

“Not right now.” He cupped Harlow’s jaw. “But eventually.”

Harlow started breathing fast. “I…need a second.”

“She’s going to hyperventilate,” Scarlett said.

Easton smiled. “Nothing like knocking the ever-efficient Ms. Carlson off balance.”

Harlow rallied enough to elbow him. “I guess that means that one day, I’m going to have your babies.”

He froze, his mind going blank. Babies? Then his brain filled with an image of Harlow, her belly swollen with their child.

“Ha, got you back,” she said.

He shook his head. “Tell your mother what’s been going on with your father.”

When he looked up, he saw Scarlett smiling at him.

He wandered over to join Saxon, Rome, and his brothers. Saxon slapped his arm. “Welcome to the gang.”

Vander looked at the ceiling and Rome shook his head.

“The whipped gang,” Rome muttered.

“The regular sex with a gorgeous woman who lights up your soul gang,” Rhys corrected.

Easton watched mother and daughters. Harlow used her hands as she talked.

Finally, Eleanor Carlson jumped to her feet, her hands balled into fists. “I’m going to kill him.”

“I have no idea exactly how much he owes Antoine, but it’s a lot,” Harlow said.

Mrs. Carlson pressed her fingers to her temples.

Suddenly, the door opened, and an older female doctor in blue scrubs stepped out.

“Charles Carlson’s family?”

Harlow whirled. “That’s us.”

With arms around each other, the women stood in front of the doctor. Easton stood right behind Harlow, pressing his hand to her back.

“My name is Dr. Navarro,” the doctor said. “He made it through surgery.”

“Thank God,” Mrs. Carlson breathed.

“He’ll have a challenging recovery ahead, but nothing vital was damaged. He’s very lucky.”

Harlow and Scarlett sobbed.

“Can we see him?” Mrs. Carlson asked.