What the fuck was I thinking, giving Mila an out? As soon as I entered her tight young body, I should’ve told her she was mine and there was no backing out. Because she is mine and the thought of her as anything else fills me with nothing but furious rage and desperation.
“So… You going to fill us in on what’s really happening?” Jack asks as soon as we step into his study.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I’m playing dumb because I’m not ready to assess what’s really going on between Mila and me. Not until I know what she wants.
Despite how badly I want to claim her and keep her, I won’t do it against her will. I may be a Neanderthal when it comes to her, but I still have a heart, and it could never be happy knowing I’ve dimmed the light that shines so brightly in my love.
Fuck. My love. Yes, there’s no doubt in my mind that I love her.
“Leave him alone. He’ll talk when he’s ready.” Austin’s assessing gaze is searching my face. For what? I don’t know.
“Ready for what?” Matt asks as he steps through the door, followed by Hunter. The pair may be twins, but they look nothing alike.
Where Matt is polished and very opinionated, Hunter is all mountain man and brawn, rarely giving his two cents.
“Nothing, just that our little brother is lusting over his baby momma’s daughter.” Jack is snickering while I’m shooting him daggers. Am I that obvious?
“Oh, come on, brother. Don’t fault Jack when you practically ripped my head off for hugging your girl.”
“She isn’t my girl.” Yet.
“That’s right. She’s your future stepdaughter.” Jack smirks.
“Ahh, that makes sense then.” Our eyes land back on Matt. “Crown men apparently have something for stepdaughters, don’t they, Jack?”
A clear dig at our eldest brother, Matt earns himself a series of groans and hisses.
“Leave Pen out of this,” Austin growls at Matt, making Matt raise his hands up in apology.
“Sorry, brother. The joke was just out there, ripe for the picking.”
Jack and Austin release a threatening snarl toward Matt, and he finally drops it.
“Anyway, do any of you care to fill me in on why we need to personally patrol the ranch?”
“El Jefe,” Jack answers, but leaves it at that.
“What about him? Last I knew, he was holed up in Mexico with the Cardenas cartel.” I know this because I’d just left there, and the fucker had been sharing a cell with his brother, Raul. The very same man I’d beaten to near death.
Jack and Hunter share a look and I wonder if Hunter’s already filled him in on our secret.
“He’s dead,” Hunter adds, his voice holding no emotion.
“What?” That can’t be right. “But Cardenas was keeping him alive. Wouldn’t even let me question him when I was down there.”
“You were down there?” Austin’s eyes push together and I know I need to come clean with at least that much.
“Yes. I just came back from Mexico. Paid our friends a little visit.”
Austin’s head cocks back. “What were you hoping to get out of it?”
“Probably the same thing you were.” Hunter cuts in and saves me from sticking my foot further down my fucking throat.
“Yeah. Well, it doesn’t look like I’ll be getting that chance now.” Austin runs a hand through his hair while blowing out a frustrated breath. “Why the fuck did Cardenas off him?”
“He didn’t.” Jack raises a brow, his eyes going back and forth between me and Hunter. “Raul did it.”
“What?!” Matt, Austin and I all balk at Jack’s revelation. But it’s then I notice Hunter remains quiet.
“Did you know?” I turn my gaze toward the savage brother in his flannel button up and unruly hair.
Hunter stares at me for a beat before nodding. “Spoke with Pen’s father this morning. Confirmed as much, then told Jack.”
My eyes narrow, wondering why the fucker didn’t tell me he’d been in contact with Cardenas first.
“So, what now?” Austin is looking toward our eldest brother and I now more than ever wish I would’ve filled him in on the secret I’ve been keeping all these years.
“We leave it be. It doesn’t concern you anymore.” Jack is looking at Austin, his eyes narrowing. “You’re supposed to be focusing on your wedding, and then on keeping the ranch running while I prepare to take over Cardenas’ empire—not that I want to, but a deal’s a deal.”
“I still want answers, brother. You can’t deny me that.” Austin’s crossing his arms over his chest, a look of defiance taking over his features.
“You can take that up with Cardenas. He’ll be here for the wedding in a couple of days.” Jack is looking right at me and the look on his face says he knows more than he’s letting on.
“I just don’t understand why Raul would kill his older brother. He was trying to free him, for fuck’s sake.” I also don’t understand how Raul did it. When I left him, he was more alive than dead.
Hunter snorts. “Was he? Or was he trying to get to El Jefe himself, do the honors of snuffing his light with his bare hands instead?”
“Shit, brother.” Austin is clapping Hunter on the back. “Everything okay? I know you’re all dark and broody, but that’s even darker than usual.”
“I’m fine,” Hunter responds quickly. A little too quickly.
“Seriously, bro. What’s crawled up your cranky hole?” I’m holding back a smile, trying to be serious while I give my brother shit.
“If you’re going to pry into my business, then I’ll pry into yours. How’s that love triangle you’ve got going on? From what Austin said, you’ve got it bad for your fiancé’s stepdaughter.”
“She isn’t my fiancé. And Mila isn’t now or ever will be my stepdaughter.” I’m throwing daggers at Hunter when Jack cuts in.
“No, but she will be your child’s sister.”
Hunter chokes on his saliva, his closed fist tapping forcefully on his chest. “Holy shit. You got a girl pregnant?”
Austin snickers. “Not a girl. A cougar.”
Hunter’s mouth is hanging wide open, his eyes filling with something I can’t quite describe. Definitely more emotion than I’ve ever seen on my brother before.
“Ha. Ha. Laugh it all up now. I’d like to see you the day you fall for the wrong woman. It seems to be a Crown brother curse.”
Hunter’s features turn dark—and it dawns on me—the stick up his ass is about a girl. “Holy hell. Hunter’s got it bad for a girl. The wrong girl.”
“No. I don’t.”
Matt’s face transforms, his mouth hanging open as he stares at his twin brother in disbelief. “Damn. How did I miss it? I’m supposed to be your other half, brother.”
Hunter rolls his eyes. “You’re not my fucking soul mate, Matt. It’s not like we were even in the same sack.”
Matt’s grabbing at his chest in mock indignation. “You wound me, brother. And as compensation, I demand you tell us all about this girl.”
“There is no girl, and you better drop it or I’ll be heading back to my cabin.”
“Ohhhhh, he’s definitely got it bad for a girl. Wouldn’t be threatening us with his retreat if he didn’t.” Jack’s eyes are dancing with mirth as he stares at Hunter. “But we’ll drop it. We know how you get, and it isn’t worth it. Not when we have a wedding coming up and a cartel murder to decipher.”
“Can’t we leave well enough alone?” Dead men can’t leak secrets. It’s no sweat off my back that the old man is dead. “Cardenas is still in possession of Raul, right? Seems to me like he handled business for us. Saved us the trouble.”
Jack scoffs. “You’d like to think that.”
“No. The reason he killed his own brother is important. I can feel it.” Austin is scrubbing a hand over his face, and it’s just my luck that he refuses to drop it.
Needing to steer him in the other direction, I mention the only thing that would sway a man. His woman.
“That might be the case, but it’s nothing you need to be worried about right now. Think of how upset Anaya would be if something happened to you right before your wedding.”
Austin huffs out a breath but nods. “You’re right.”
“Of course, I am. When have I ever been wrong?”
Matt snorts. “I remember that one time you tried to teach Jack how to pick up a woman at a bar.”
Austin is laughing so hard he’s wheezing now. “Oh. My. Fuck. How could I forget that?”
“Yeah, well, I don’t think it’s funny.” Jack is glaring at Matt while Hunter comes to his defense. At least that’s what it seems like at the beginning.
“Leave the poor man alone. He takes on a lot for this family. How was he supposed to know that telling a woman that he’ll ‘give her a nickel if she tickles his pickle’ is the wrong thing to say?”
“You motherfuckers. I was drunk off my ass. None of you should have let me talk to a woman in that condition. I was coming off of heartache from losing our parents. The least you assholes could’ve done was keep me away from women.”
I’m laughing so hard; tears are coming out of my eyes. “Oh, man. But we were all grieving, and seeing you make a fool of yourself helped raise our spirits.”
Matt’s wiping away at his own tears of laughter when he pipes up. “Yeah. Didn’t you want to be our rock? Make us feel better?”
“No. You jerkoffs could’ve all fucked right on off. Just like now.” He’s standing from his desk, his knuckles pressing firmly onto the dark wood. “Get out. This family meeting is over.”
“Oh, man. We have to tell Pen.” Matt is clapping Austin on the back, his words making Jack growl behind us as we all file out.
“You better not, or so help me, I will beat your asses! All of you!”
We’re all laughing hysterically as we exit his office, not that we’ll actually tell Pen.
Hell, I believe in karma, and if life has taught me anything, it’s that that shit is real. That’s one thing I’m not willing to risk. Not right now when things between Mila and I are so fragile.
I’ll do anything to protect what I have with that girl, and that includes being on my best behavior when it comes to my brothers.
Mila
“So this is it.” Pen opens her arms wide after we’ve all entered the moderately sized cabin. “What do you think?”
We had to ride out here on a side-by-side, so it’s a good distance away from the main house. The property is nestled between a thicket of trees with a small creek running alongside it. It really is quaint, but my mother looks like she’s about to lose her shit.
Wanting to cut her off before she says anything stupid, I quickly answer. “It’s beautiful, Pen. Thank you for setting us up here.”
Penelope beams back at me. “I’m so glad you like it. This place holds so many sweet memories.” She points a thumb toward the back. “If you follow the creek, it will lead you to a waterfall a couple of miles down. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic.”
Her cheeks tinge pink and I wonder just how many picnics she’s had there with Jack.
“Right. Well, I won’t be making that trek. You know, because of the baby and all.” Catherine places a hand on her abdomen as if that explains everything. She’s forgetting one little thing. Pen is pregnant too, and a whole lot more pregnant than she is.
“Oh, that shouldn’t be a problem. I take my little brother and sister out there once a week, and I’m due to pop any day now. Fingers crossed the peanut holds out for the wedding. I don’t think Anaya will forgive me if I go into labor during her nuptials.” She’s laughing, but something tells me her sister-in-law, err, stepmother… would be fine.
This family loves each other fiercely. That’s something I’ve been able to see from the moment I stepped into their home.
“Okay. Uncle Jace is in the master and then your bedrooms are on either side of his. Let me take you there now.” She’s begun walking, but my mother cuts her off.
“There’s no need for that. Jason and I will share a room.” She’s staring at Pen as if this is a done deal. Something that was discussed between her and Jason, the thought souring my stomach and making my heart hurt.
Pen snorts, oblivious to my inner turmoil. “No. I’m sorry, but Jace was very clear with his request that you be put on either side of the master.” She walks around my mother, continuing down her path toward the hallway. “If he wanted you with him, he would have made it abundantly clear in his message.”
She’s giving Catherine her back, so she misses the feral look of rage simmering beneath my mother’s cool facade.
Not wanting to stick around to see more, I quickly follow behind Penelope toward the rooms, briefly peeking into the master as we pass by. It’s gorgeous. A four-poster bed anchors the middle of the room, the tall dark posts making an explicit statement that this is where the master of the castle sleeps.
A shiver runs through me, imagining a naked Jason laying between the luscious bedding, but it’s quickly cut off by Penelope’s words.
“And this is you.” Pen opens a door, motioning me inside before turning back toward my mother. “Catherine, you’re on the other side.”
She’s clearly giving Catherine different treatment to mine, and I can’t help but feel a little guilty for it. As soon as my mother ducks into her room, I have to ask Pen why that is.
“Hey, what did Jason tell you about Catherine?”
“Why do you ask?” Pen’s eyes are glittering with knowledge I can’t wait to divest her from.
“I get the feeling you’re not my mother’s biggest fan, that’s all.”
She smirks. “Well, let’s just say I’m really good at reading my uncle Jace, and he’s very fond of you. Whereas your mother… she stresses him out.” She pauses, her hands absently going to her belly and rubbing. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course!” She’s been so nice to me. I’d be horrible if I denied her any answers.
“How sure is she that the baby is his? I know my uncles, and one thing they’ve stressed for as long as I can remember is the importance of protecting the family name. A.K.A. no glove, no love.” She makes the last statement in a deep masculine voice, no doubt imitating a line she’s heard multiple times if her face is any indication.
Suddenly, my thoughts drift back to the jet. The jet where Jason took me raw. No glove, and definitely lots of love.
Penelope’s eyes are going wide, her lips curling up into a wide smile. “Oh, girl. You and I have some dishing to do, don’t we?”
I feel my face flush further, my head vehemently shaking no. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. And as far as the baby. My mother’s baby. I don’t know.”
“Your mother’s baby? Is there another baby in question?” Her eyes narrow on me, scrutinizing every breath and every flinch.
Holy hell. That was a definite slip up on my part. “Nope. No other baby, aside from yours, that is.”
And that isn’t a lie. Doesn’t it take a couple of days to get pregnant? So it can’t be a lie, right? Heck, Jason’s seed might not even take. Don’t women try for months before getting pregnant?
No. Not at all. Not if my mother’s experience is anything to go by. Based on what Jason said, it was a one-night stand turned into forever.
A pang of jealousy hits me strong and fast, the air threatening to leave my lungs.
“Hey, sweetie. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” Pen takes my hand and walks me back toward the bed. “You don’t have to answer anything if it makes you uncomfortable.”
I shake my head, clearing it of the envy laced fog. “No, that’s fine. I just… I’ll be fine.”
“Hmm. Before I forget, the ladies of WRATH get here in the morning. Anaya is having a fitting for all of us then. Be sure to get there early enough for mimosas and catching up.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“Oh, it is. And I just know that they’ll love you as much as I do.”
Her smile is contagious, and I instantly feel welcomed into the fold. Something I never want to lose. Aside from Mel, I have had nothing resembling a tight-knit family, and now that I’ve experienced it, I don’t want to be without.
This only adds more credence to my needing to stay in my lane. If I mess things up between my mother and Jason, it will only muddy the waters, making them feel like they need to take sides. Yes. Dividing a family is a surefire way to lose that tight-knit feeling.
Not something I’m willing to do. I care too much for Jason to put his family through that. And as that realization hits, I add one more tick to the ‘I shouldn’t be selfish’ tally, even though I really don’t want to.
“Okay, then.” Pen gets up from the bed and walks toward the door. “Family dinner is at seven. You won’t want to miss out. Trust me.” She winks at me then, reminding me so much of my best friend and her antics.
Ugh, I wish Melissa were here. I know I need to ask if it’s okay for her to visit, so better now than never.
“Hey, Pen.” I stop her before she leaves. “Is it okay if my roommate comes over for a visit? I haven’t seen her since I left for Florida, and I really miss her.”
Pen scrunches her nose and smiles. “Of course. You don’t need to ask for permission. This is as good as yours.” She’s waving around at the cabin, but even despite her assurance, I can’t help but feel like an interloper.
“I just didn’t want to assume, with the wedding and all.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. In fact, since she’s your roommate, she’s practically family. I’ll run it by Anaya, but I’m sure she won’t mind if she sticks around for the wedding festivities, too. The more the merrier.”
My heart soars knowing that I’ll have my best friend by my side, helping ease the sting of seeing my mother and Jason together once I let him know of my decision. I know he said he’s leaving it up to me, but it doesn’t make this any easier.
“Thank you, Pen. It means the world to me.”
“It’s nothing, babe.” She’s waving me off as she turns and heads into the hallway, but not before calling out. “See you soon!”
