Chapter 32
Ethan
I’ve lost count of how many Jolly Ranchers Jackson has popped into his mouth. The candy clicking against his teeth has become the soundtrack of our trip, accompanied by his bouncing knee. He was uncharacteristically quiet at breakfast, aside from texting Reece and me in the group chat.
Baby boy
Hey, let me handle the food situation. I’ve been doing it since our first date, and we’ve never had an issue. The only time she lost weight was after we broke up. I know everything she likes. I know what to do.
And what’s that?
Baby boy
Don’t bring attention to it. It’s unnecessary. Make sure the kitchen is stocked with her favorite foods and snacks, ready to eat.
Reece
Meal prep. She doesn’t cook. She nibbles.
Baby boy
Exactly.
At least those two agree on something.
Aurora needs to eat better. Still, I shouldn’t have snapped at her—it was a dick move. I realize I’m impatient, but these two brats live to test my limits. I’m up on schedule, showered, and out the door while they’re singing, fucking, doing their hair, eating cupcakes…
I don’t know how they ever survived living alone together. I’ve worked with five-year-olds who have more focus.
Jax clicks the candy for the hundredth time. Reece whips around, mouth already forming a complaint, but one look at Jackson, and he swallows his words and faces forward.
I assume Jax is just amped about visiting Rocco’s until I notice him sneaking glances at Lucas and hanging his head.
Aurora picks up on it, too, squeezes his thigh, and offers him a gentle smile.
I reach across the seat, cup the back of his neck, and play with his hair.
He exhales, and the tension drains from his shoulders, but his knee keeps its frantic rhythm.
“Lucas,” he blurts, like a dam breaking. “What’d the doctors say about your eye?”
The atmosphere shifts. We all seem to collectively hold our breath. Des pivots in his seat, and Dante’s gaze flicks to the rearview mirror.
Lucas twists to face Jackson. “Um…they think it’s possibly—most likely—a torn retina.”
Jax stiffens, his fists clenched in his lap. I tighten my grip on the curve of his neck and massage the tense muscle.
“Nothing’s confirmed,” Lucas adds quickly. “I see a specialist on Thursday. Might be minor.” He lifts a shoulder, forcing nonchalance. “Might need surgery.”
Des stretches back, resting a hand on Lucas’ knee.
“Is your doctor well-known?” Jackson’s chest rises and falls with rapid, shallow breaths. “I mean, top-tier? And the surgeon—”
“We got it, man,” Dante cuts in, knuckles white on the steering wheel. “It’s all good.”
“But if you need anything?” Jax presses, directing the question at Dante. “You’ll tell me?”
He gives a sharp nod. “Yup.”
Jackson is desperate to make amends, to ease some of his guilt. But the possessiveness in Dante’s eyes makes one thing clear: he’d leave a trail of bodies before he let anyone care for his boyfriend. When it comes to Lucas, the twins will murder and maim to get him what he needs, I have no doubt.
“Actually,” Lucas says to Jax, “there is something.”
He perks up. “Name it.”
“My foster family—I have seven siblings and two moms—they want to come up. But with five kids at home, booking last-minute flights and rooms and keeping everyone together is impossible, and I wouldn’t have a clue where to start with chartering—”
“Consider it done. Just text me the details. I’ll arrange everything.” Jackson sinks back, finally at ease.
Lucas smiles. “Thanks.”
The awkward tension breaks, and it feels as though we’re all a bit closer now.
Not long after, we arrive at Rocco’s, and I know I need to suck it up and apologize to Aurora.
At the gate, Jax cranes his neck to catch a glimpse of the place through the windshield. “Holy shit, is that it? It’s a fucking castle.”
I lay my hand on Aurora’s thigh. “Stay with me for a minute so we can talk.”
A wary expression crosses her face, but she nods, her hand resting protectively over her belly. The color is back in her cheeks since she had a proper meal, but I’m still worried.
The SUV comes to a stop, and the doors burst open in a flurry of movement. Jackson practically launches himself out, desperate to escape the cramped interior and explore Rocco’s estate.
I remain seated beside Aurora. One by one, the doors slam shut and plunge us into a heavy silence.
“I’m sorry.” I take her hand and get right to it. “I was an ass about the cupcake. If they’re no good when we get home, I’ll pick up another box.”
She drops her gaze to our entwined fingers. “I was only taking a bite.”
“I know—well, I know now. I worry about you and the baby, but I handled it all wrong. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”
She fiddles with her jacket zipper. “I’ll start eating better. I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
I take a deep breath, bracing myself. Soon, I’ll return to work and most likely be busy—especially at first, learning the business and traveling with the team.
We need a solid foundation. Her submission to me depends on trust. If my words hurt her, they can’t comfort her, and I lose that trust, that dynamic between us.
Opening up to her is never easy, but I love her and our family too much to let my pride win.
“The night we made Eli was reckless. An old part of me had slipped through, and another part of me realized you were everything I needed and wanted and latched on to you. I was already headed toward divorce, but you were the one bright spot in my mind as I moved through that nightmare. Every time my ex came at me, belittled me, I thought about you—our night together, the way you wanted me, the way you looked at me…”
Her gaze finally lifts to meet mine, eyes glassy. Feeling self-conscious, I draw her into my arms. She stays silent, and I continue.
“There were moments when, deep down, I hoped something came of that broken condom. I’d do it all again—the recklessness and the fallout—if it meant ending up with you and Eli.
I’d repeat it a thousand times over. You’re everything to me.
I want to protect you, to cherish you.” I kiss her neck and swallow to ease my strained throat.
“My greatest fear is losing you or our baby. I need you to take care of yourself, okay?”
“Okay.” She lays her head on my shoulder and hugs me tighter.
After a quiet moment, she says, “I thought about you at the baby’s appointments.
I wanted you there, but I was scared. I knew you were wealthy and had a wife—maybe had kids, too.
I was scared I’d ruin your family, or you’d try to take him from me, but I hoped he’d look like you.
I want him to have your eyes and smile.”
She always finds a way to crack my chest wide open, and my eyelids sting.
“I wish I’d been there, baby girl. You did the right thing. You were protecting me, protecting our son. Everything worked out perfectly.”
I thread my fingers through her hair and bring her in for a kiss—a tender, sweet kiss with a hint of Jolly Rancher. I pull back and give her a pointed stare. “He’s a fucking pain in my ass.”
She laughs softly. “He loves you, worships you.”
I nod, a slight smile tugging at my lips. “I know—still a pain in my ass, though.”
After one last, quick kiss, I take her hand and turn toward the door.
“Ah, fuck. Let’s get this over with.” My gaze lands on the mini-mansion in front of me. “Can you believe I could’ve grown up here? Instead of that shit-box apartment above the barbershop?”