The Cost of Love (Jenkins & Sons Construction #6)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

A stab of jealousy pierced through Antonio Jenkins and practically knocked him off-balance. He rubbed his chest as if the motion could straighten him out. It didn’t. If anything, it intensified the uncomfortable heat coursing through his body and a tightness that wrapped around him like a steel band.

What the heck was wrong with him? He’d been out of sorts since waking up that morning, and even more so now that he was in the groom’s room with some of his family members.

He ran his hand over his low haircut, then tugged on the bow tie, which seemed to be tightening around his neck. Glancing around, he took in the familiar faces. It was Ben Jr.’s wedding day and some of their male cousins were hanging out in the small space, spewing words of wisdom on what Ben could expect from being a new husband.

Antonio had heard enough. Rubbing the tense spot on the back of his neck, he eased away from the group and moved across the room, stopping near a leather loveseat. He knew exactly why he was agitated. He might be happy for his little brother, but a part of him couldn’t shake the melancholy swirling inside. All his cousins in the room were married with kids. Now Ben was joining that group, making Antonio the odd bachelor out. As usual.

He perched on the arm of the loveseat and sighed. They were at a large church where the wedding would take place, followed by a sit-down dinner for immediate family. Later, there’d also be a large, adults-only reception at their grandparents’ estate for extended family and friends.

As the best man, he anticipated a long day, but what he hadn’t counted on was his funky attitude. He was thrilled that Ben and Mahogany found each other and decided to build a life together. But there was a voice in the back of his mind screaming— What about me? When will it be my turn ?

Not one of the five men across the room ever intended to get married. None of them had mapped out a life plan and probably still didn’t have one, but Antonio had. He had created his roadmap during his senior year of high school. At the top of the list had been to attend college while working at their family-owned business—Jenkins & Sons Construction. Next, and maybe most important—get married and have a family.

At thirty-three, he still hadn’t found “the one.” He wasn’t a player and never wanted to be, and even though he’d been in a couple of long-term relationships, neither had resulted in marriage. Antonio had done everything right. Got his education, settled into his job as an estimator, and was financially prepared for a wife and kids. Still…

Someone clapped him on the shoulder, and he glanced back to find his cousin, Liam.

“Mr. Grumpy, can I talk to you for a minute?” Liam asked quietly, humor in his tone as he nodded his head toward the door that would lead them to the private hallway.

Antonio tried not to grumble and feed into the name he’d been called more often than not by his cousins. “Yeah, I guess, and I’m not grumpy,” he mumbled and headed to the door with him.

“ Ant , where you going, man?” Ben Jr. asked, and Antonio cringed at the nickname his brother used only to get under his skin. He hated nicknames, which only made Ben use them more often.

“Just stepping outside for a moment. Don’t worry, I’ll be there to catch you when you faint when Mahogany starts walking down the aisle.” Everyone laughed as Antonio walked out, closing the door behind him.

“How’s Charlee?” he asked, glad to be away from the others. “The baby should be coming any day now, right?”

“Six more weeks,” Liam said proudly. They were having a boy, and Antonio had never seen his cousin happier.

Liam was one of his oldest first cousins, and he and Antonio were more alike than any of the others. They both were introverts and serious about every aspect of their lives. But Antonio had seen a change in Liam since he and his wife married a few years ago. He knew it had everything to do with Charlee, who was extroverted to the ninth degree. It was impossible not to like her. Her energy was palpable.

“My wife is over being pregnant and is more than ready for our LJ to be born. She’s literally counting down the days, but enough about us. What’s up with you? You seemed a little distracted in there. Does this have anything to do with Scarlett? You two have gone out a few times now, but you haven’t mentioned her lately.”

Scarlett.

Hearing her name twisted Antonio up inside.

Months ago, he had given up on dating. He met his share of nice women, but his dating life hadn’t been going as planned. He had to be the problem. Too clingy. Too possessive. Too everything, and he’d decided to take a step back and figure himself out.

That was, until Scarlett Rowsey, Mahogany’s sister, caught his attention.

The former model was so far out of Antonio’s league, it was almost laughable that she’d even given him the time of day. She also had the cutest little girl, Bella. In his eyes, Scarlett was the total package, and no one had been more surprised than him when she agreed to go out with him—more than once.

Over the last couple of months, they’d spent time together. Dinners. Movies. An art exhibit. They’d had a good time on each outing, and the attraction and chemistry between him and Scarlett was hot . Antonio wanted her more than he’d ever wanted another woman, and the fact that he got along great with her daughter was a plus.

Yet, he couldn’t get a clear read on Scarlett. She had an invisible wall up that was impenetrable. Antonio was at a loss about how to move forward.

Not ready to discuss his relationship with anyone, he said, “Nah, it’s not about Scarlett. I’m...” What could he say without sounding like a punk? “I just have some things going on.”

Liam stared at him for a moment in that penetrating way of his. The guy really should’ve gone into law enforcement instead of architecture considering his intimidating expressions. They were both over six feet tall with broad shoulders and a slight muscular build, but Liam could mean-mug someone into spilling their whole life story.

Antonio chuckled. “Dude, don’t look at me like that. As for Scarlett, there’s nothing to tell. We’re still getting to know each other is all.”

“Speaking of Scarlett,” Liam said and smiled at something over Antonio’s shoulder.

“Uncle Tony!”

Bella’s high-pitched voice immediately brought a smile to Antonio’s face. He loved this kid. She wasn’t his niece, but because Bella was his nephew’s best friend, she called him uncle like Jayden did. Antonio loved that she always seemed thrilled to see him.

While his nephew Jayden, Ben’s son, loped toward them, Bella ran to Antonio at full speed in her white flower girl dress and white shoes. She was so cute and petite. She looked more like a five-year-old than her actual age of almost eight.

When she was closer, she leaped into his waiting arms.

“Hey, Baby Doll,” he said, kissing her cheek as she giggled and tightened her arms around his neck.

“I’m not a baby doll,” she said, her soft voice washing over Antonio like a soothing balm. When she rested her head on his shoulder, his heart almost split open. “You smell good,” she murmured, pulling another smile from Antonio.

God, this kid. She was a great cure for the blues. His heart seemed to expand whenever he was with her. How was it that he could love this child so much as if she was his own?

“Hey, Uncle Antonio and Uncle Liam,” Jayden said, giving them each a fist bump. Liam was Jayden’s second cousin, but he referred to all of them as uncle . “Have you seen my dad?”

“Yeah, he’s right in here,” Liam said, opening the door to the groom’s room and letting Jayden in before closing the door.

“Are you supposed to be out in the hallway?” Liam asked Bella.

She lowered her eyes and snuggled into Antonio. “I had to ask Uncle Tony something.”

Antonio nuzzled her sweet-smelling neck, and she giggled again. He didn’t think he’d ever get tired of the sound. “What did you have to ask me?”

She lifted her head and looked at him, her facial expression serious. “Can you dance?”

Antonio chuckled, wondering where this was going. “Yes. Why?”

She leaned in close to his ear and said, “Can you take me to the daddy-daughter dance at my dance school? Mommy said she would take me, but it’s for daddies. I don’t have a daddy, and I want you to take me.”

Her words could’ve knocked Antonio over with a feather. If he hadn’t already been in love with her, that request would’ve sealed it for him. He hated that this precious little girl didn’t have a father—someone to love and protect her—but he’d gladly step in and play the role.

Bella’s request might have shocked him, but it also made him feel ten feet tall. She would never understand how much this meant to him.

Her father had died in a car accident before she was born, but as far as Antonio knew, Scarlett hadn’t told her daughter the details. Bella just thought she didn’t have a father. Once she got older and started asking more questions, he was sure Scarlett would tell her the truth.

“I’d be glad to go to the dance with you as long as it’s okay with your mommy,” he finally said, feeling a little choked up by the request.

“Yay!” she cheered, then hugged him and placed a kiss on his cheek. “I’m so happy. I’ll tell Mommy she doesn’t have to go.”

“Bella!” Amelia, Bella’s grandmother, whisper shouted as she hurried down the hallway wearing a long, pale pink dress. “Young lady, what are you doing out here?”

“I had to talk to Uncle Tony,” Bella said as Antonio lowered her to the floor.

Amelia smiled at him and Liam, then shook her head as she reached for Bella’s hand. “Well, you’ll have to talk to Uncle Tony later. The wedding is starting soon, and we have to finish getting you ready.” She glanced at Antonio. “I’m sorry. I hope she wasn’t bothering—”

“No apology necessary. She always brightens my day.” He winked at Bella, who ducked her head and giggled. As her grandmother guided her away, Bella turned back and smiled at him.

“Uncle Tony?” Liam said when Amelia and Bella were out of earshot. “When we were growing up, you never let anyone call you Ant or Tony . Hell, even now you’re ready to murder the first person who dares shorten your precious name. Yet, you let her call you Tony.”

Antonio frowned and pointed in the direction Bella went. “Dude, did you see that kid? She’s the cutest thing on this side of heaven. Who am I to stop her from shortening my name? With those eyes and that adorable smile, she can call me whatever she wants.”

The corners of Liam’s mouth kicked up. “Ahh, another one snared by an adorable kid. You know this is exactly what happened to Jerry when Rayne and Stormy moved in next door to him. That little girl had him wrapped around her finger the first time they met, and now? If Stormy asked for the moon, he’d try to get it for her.”

Yeah, Jerry was still putty in Stormy’s hands, maybe even more so now. But this was different. Though Antonio had gone out with Scarlett several times, and he was crazy about her, he wasn’t sure of her interest level.

But if there was a chance for the same outcome—an instant family—Antonio was here for it.