Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
M aggie smiled as she finished up her day. She’d had several flights today, and they’d all gone smoothly.
There’d been no sign of Davis Haye. No creepy guys watching her. No killer drones.
Finally, it seemed that this nightmare was over. She felt like a weight was slowly lifting off her shoulders.
Ace sat sprawled in her desk chair. It would mean that she’d lose her sexy bodyguard. She smoothed her hair back. And she’d have to move back into her apartment, but Ace was hers. They would make this work.
“Hey,” he said. “All done?”
She nodded. “Today was an excellent day for Dragonfly Aerial.” She hitched her hip on the desk. “Any news on Haye?”
Ace shook his head. “He’s in the wind.”
“Well, I hope that wind carries him far away from San Francisco.” She chewed on her lip. “What does he have to gain from coming after me now? I shared everything I know with the police.”
A dark frown settled on Ace’s face. “The guy’s a murderer, and he’s lost everything. I’m not letting that fucker anywhere near my woman.”
“Your woman, huh?” She felt warmth in a lot of places.
His sexy smile unfurled. “That’s right.” He tugged her into his lap. The ancient desk chair squeaked.
“I’m not sure I trust this chair to hold us both.”
“I’ll keep you safe, gatinha .” He nibbled on her lips.
“I know you will.” She pulled the tie out of his hair and slid her fingers through the silky strands. “The way you stood up to my dad…”
Ace frowned. “He was out of line.”
“I guess…a part of me worries that I will fail. He’s always taking little digs at me.” She sucked in a breath. “And a part of me has worried that I won’t be a good mother. I mean, I know nothing about babies.”
Ace tipped her face up to his. “You’ll be a wonderful, fierce mother. You already are. And I meant what I said to your parents. I know you’ll help make me the father this baby needs.”
She saw he meant it. Every word. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“What your father says doesn’t matter, Maggie. He’s wrong. You don’t have to keep proving yourself to him.”
She nibbled her lip and nodded. Ace was right. She’d always gone her own way. She loved her dad, but she’d never let what he said stop her, even when it hurt.
Ace stroked her jaw. “By the way, Gia called. She told us to meet the gang at ONE65. She wants to celebrate.”
Maggie shook her head. “I think Gia just likes any excuse for a party.”
Ace laughed. “True. She means well.”
“I know. I have to admit that she’s a little intimidating. She’s so…together. Successful businesswoman, she’s gorgeous, and dresses well.”
“Well, I think that applies to you, too. You have a successful business, you’re gorgeous, and I’ll take sexy, painted-on jeans over business suits any day.”
Maggie’s heart melted. The look on his face said he meant every word. She leaned forward and kissed him.
It was getting hot and heavy when the door opened.
Maggie heard a disgruntled sound and looked up at a scowling Gus.
“Hey, Gus. You finished with Hetty?”
“Yeah.”
“Were heading to ONE65 for drinks with friends. To celebrate the asshole being gone.” She’d already briefed Gus on Davis Haye and the entire situation.
“The fancy French place,” Gus grumbled.
“Yes.” She paused. “Want to come?”
She couldn’t picture Gus at a fancy bar, but he was a part of her family. Gus, Vander, Ace… They’d all believed in her and supported her when her father hadn’t.
“I could drink,” Gus said.
She grinned. “I’m not sure coveralls are allowed.”
“I’ll go home and change. Meet you there.”
Maggie touched up her makeup, and swapped her polo for a slinky, green shirt she kept at the office in case she needed to head into the city after work.
She also kept a pair of sexy, knee-high boots with a heel there, too.
With a change of earrings to a long, sparkly swing of dangles, she was ready.
When she walked out of the tiny bathroom, Ace looked up and whistled. “ Linda e gostosa .”
She grinned. Pretty and hot. “You’re rather hot too, Oliveira.”
He nabbed her for a quick kiss.
“Want to ditch this party and head home instead?” he suggested.
“Tempting, but I want to see everybody. And the party is for me.”
“Damn.”
She nipped his earlobe. “But afterward, I’ll rock your world.”
He squeezed her ass. “I’ll hold you to that.”
Ace drove them to ONE65 and valet parked. ONE65 was a six-story, French dining experience. It had everything from a bistro and grill, to a bar and lounge.
They found the others at the bar. Harlow spun, cocktail in hand. “Maggie, where did you get those earrings?”
Soon she was engulfed by the others. Gia, in a slick, blue pantsuit, lifted her drink toward Maggie. Haven was in a suit with a tight skirt. Sofie wore tailored pants and a blouse. It was clear they’d all come from work.
They welcomed her so easily. Soon, she had a nonalcoholic cocktail in hand.
“Here.” Gia slipped something over Maggie’s head.
She fingered the silky fabric. It was a sash that read “Mommy-to-Be.” She laughed. “Thanks.”
“How are things with Ace?” Harlow asked.
“Good. He’s coming around to the idea of fatherhood.” She fiddled with her earring. “He stood up to my dad.”
“Good. He gets brownie points from me.” Gia sniffed. “I’d take Saxon’s awful parents down, if I could.”
“Mine aren’t bad. They’re just… Let’s say my father has strong views on how I should live my life.” She pressed a hand to her stomach. “I’m going to love and support my little peanut. Whatever they want to be or do is fine with me.”
“Is it the size of a peanut?” Gia asked.
“Well, it was an apple seed, last time I checked.”
“Bub will have grown a bit by now. Let me look.” Haven pulled her phone out. “It’s a sweet pea!”
“Jeez,” Maggie said. “Sometimes I can’t believe it’s real.”
“It’ll be a blueberry next week,” Haven mentioned. Then she hummed. “Wonder if they make blueberry martinis here?”
“Oh, yum,” Gia agreed.
Sofie leaned in. “I haven’t tried a blueberry martini before.”
“I’m on it,” Gia said. “And one with no alcohol for you.” She pointed at Maggie.
“Ace is crazy about you,” Harlow murmured.
Maggie looked across the room. He was laughing with Saxon. Looking at him made things inside her ache. In a good way. “I’m part excited, part terrified. He could hurt me, way more than anyone ever has before.”
Harlow smiled. “We all get it.”
Sofie and Haven nodded.
“I wanted Rhys for ages. I was so afraid he’d shatter me.” Haven looked over at her man. “Instead, he’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“Love means taking some risks,” Sofie said.
“Yeah,” Harlow agreed. “All good things come with risk. You just have to decide how much you want the reward.”
Maggie watched Ace turn to Vander. A lot. She wanted it a lot.
Just then, she saw Ace head to the bar. As soon as he’d ordered, a tall, svelte brunette in a black dress with a fall of brown curls sidled up to him. She smiled, tilting her head, and touched Ace’s arm.
Oh no, you don’t . “I’ll be back.”
Maggie zeroed in on the bar. The woman stroked Ace’s tattooed forearm, her lips moving. He was smiling politely and trying to turn away.
“—and you know a friend of mine. Jenny. She said you rocked her world.”
Ugh . Maggie slid up beside Ace and he wrapped a hand around the back of her neck.
“Sorry, the only woman’s world he’s rocking now is mine,” Maggie said.
The brunette’s flirty smile flattened. “I heard he doesn’t do exclusive.”
“He was just waiting for the right one.” Maggie smiled. “He’s hot, so I don’t blame you for trying.” She slid a hand along his abs.
The woman shrugged. “I’m sure he’ll be back on the market soon.” She winked at Ace. “Find me when you are.”
“And I’m sure I can tear those bad extensions out of your hair.”
“Maggie—” Ace’s warning was laced with amusement.
“Look, tonight, he’ll be rocking my world,” Maggie said. “And in about eight months, he’s going to be rocking our baby to sleep, so don’t count on him tracking you down.”
The brunette’s eyes widened, then she swiveled on her heel and stalked off.
Maggie blew out a breath. “Those extensions look so fake.”
He squeezed the back of her neck, his lips brushing her ear. “I like when you get your claws out, gatinha .”
Looking up at him, she really couldn’t blame the woman. He was sexy as hell. “I’m guessing I’m going to need to keep them sharpened.”
His gaze turned serious. “I’m only interested in one woman.”
Her heart did a little skip in her chest. Then she saw Gus enter the bar, wearing jeans and a polo shirt. She suspected that was as dressed up as he could manage.
“Oh, there’s Gus. Avoid any blondes, brunettes, or redheads who are looking to get you naked, Oliveira.”
His lips quirked. “I’ll do my best.”
She headed over to her mechanic.
He scowled, scanning the room. “Fancy.”
“Yes.”
“This lot are all a bit fancy.” He eyed the women.
“Yeah.” Maggie nodded at Easton. “That one’s a billionaire. And the woman with the strawberry-blonde hair is a princess.”
Gus grunted.
“But they’re all nice people. Real. And they care. They’ve all put themselves out to take care of me.”
Gus gripped her shoulder. “I’m glad, girlie. You’re good people, and you deserve good friends. Your father’s always made you feel like shit—”
“Gus—”
“No, I’m not going to badmouth the man. I just want you to know I’m proud of you. And I know you’ll be a good mom.”
Tears filled her eyes and she sucked them back. “Jeez, Gus, are we having a heart-to-heart?”
“Hell, no. And I’m not buying your rugrat any gifts.”
She laughed. “Okay.” She lowered her voice. “Thanks, Gus.”
Ace appeared. “Gus, can I get you a beer?”
Gus grunted. “You can. I might start to think you’re okay after all, Oliveira.”
* * *
It was a good evening. Ace sipped his beer and looked over at Maggie.
She was laughing out loud at a story Haven was telling. He smiled. He liked his friends’ women, but now even more so. This was just what Maggie needed. He saw that she was more relaxed than she had been in days.