“You wouldn’t let me be anything else.”

Knox lightly skimmed his hand over the baby’s hat-covered head. “There are no messages from Lucian, so I’m guessing he doesn’t yet know that Asher’s been born.”

“I’ll speak to him later.”

“Just be aware that if he calls our child the spawn of evil again I will hurt him.” It would be the perfect excuse to finally get his hands on the son of a bitch.

“I think you’ll be surprised by his reaction.”

“How so?”

“He wasn’t happy that I was pregnant, but now that Asher’s actually a person – someone who he can see and touch – Lucian won’t be such an ass. He likes babies. He just doesn’t like caring for them because he’s no good at it.”

“I’m very aware of that,” Knox rumbled, thinking of her upbringing. “I didn’t understand his behavior before, and I especially don’t understand it now that I have Asher. I know I could never abandon him. I know I could never do anything to harm him.”

“Do you really want to talk about Lucian?”

“No.” Knox touched Asher’s little fist. “I’m more interested in knowing if you’re going to give me what I asked for.”

“Knox —”

“I want to give you my name, baby. I want us all to share the same one.”

Her mouth slowly curved. “So do I; you don’t have to try to persuade me.”

Satisfaction coursed through him, and he kissed her palm again. “Thank you, Harper Thorne.”

“That’s going to take some getting used to.” She looked at Asher. “So is being a parent. I still can’t believe we made this little person.”

Knox smiled. “He’s perfect. Amazing. Just like his mom.”

“Just like his dad,” Harper corrected. Seeing that he’d drank half his bottle, Harper gently pulled it from his mouth and handed it to Knox. She then sat Asher upright, gently curving her hand around the front of his neck to hold him up while she rubbed his back.

“I can’t get over how tiny he is,” said Knox. The baby’s eyes opened, and his blue eyes bled to black. The demon stared out at him, and Knox’s own demon rose to the surface for just a moment before both entities retreated. They had done it once before, shortly after Asher was born. Both times, Knox’s demon chuckled – it was a sound that held a secret. “I still think there’s something my demon isn’t telling us.”

“Probably, because this kid’s as powerful as people expected he would be.” That unnerved her in ways she didn’t want to think about. “Do we hide that he’s powerful so no one sees him as a threat?”

“We can only hide that for as long as we keep him here, where he can’t be reached or seen. It’s easy to sense all that power. I’m good with keeping him here for a little while.”

“Me, too. I don’t think people will be suspicious of that, considering I was recently kidnapped by Nora, who wanted to take the baby.”

Knox rubbed her leg. “I didn’t think I’d ever have this. Someone who was mine. A child. A family. Didn’t see it coming.” His face hardened as he added, “I’ll fight to the death to protect and keep what we have.”

“So will I, and so will our demons. And if anyone out there decides to test us on that, they’ll find out that there are much worse things than death.”

Knox had to smile. “Have I mentioned that I love how bloodthirsty you are?”

“Once or twice. Never hurts to hear it again.”

He chuckled. “You are bloodthirsty, Harper. And beautiful. And smart. And so fucking strong. There’s no one like you, and I love that you belong to me.”

“Then kiss me and shut up, because you’re making me blush.”

Chuckling again, he did.