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Story: Hitting the Jackpot

“Me?”

“Me and you,” Lake said. “Celebration.”

“Then I better make sure that I have the day off so I can make sure all you boys get spoiled properly.”

“Best Daddy ever,” Lake said.

“Best boy ever,” Jesse replied standing. “Now, let’s get you in bed.”

Chapter Nine

Jesse

“I don’t like it,” Jesse said to William the general manager of the casino. “They haven’t done anything.”

“It’s almost like they’re on vacation or something,” William replied. “Crazy as that might seem.”

“These aren’t vacation people,” Jesse argued. “I know they’re up to no good.”

“If they are, then they’re great actors. Playing tourists and not causing any trouble.”

Jesse sighed. It didn’t make sense. Jesse knew that Ezra’s parents weren’t good people. They wanted to take Annabelle from Ezra and Eric. Ezra who loved his daughter more than anything in the world. Eric who was just as dedicated to the little girl.

They were all making a family for Annabelle. With parents that loved and supported her and a whole bunch of uncles that would be right there by her side. Annabelle had charmed her way into Jesse’s heart the first time she smiled at him while climbing onto his knee. She’d wanted ice cream and Jesse had been the weak link.

It wasn’t Jesse fault that he was a pushover. He just wanted to make everyone happy. Lake, their friends, and the little girl—all of them deserved to be happy.

“Jesse?” William asked.

“I don’t know what to do.” Jesse admitted.

“What if there isn’t anything to do?”

Jesse shook his head, dropping down into the chair behind his desk. “Thanks, William. Keep watching them, please.”

“I will.” William continued to stand there.

“Is there something else?” Jesse really didn’t need any more bad news.

“The rumor mill is working overtime today.”

Jesse snorted. “Is it?”

William nodded.

“Don’t keep me in suspense,” Jesse ordered. He had a pretty damn good idea what was going on.

“Lake. The bouncer for the club,” William said.

“What about him?”

William glared. “Are you together?”

“Does it matter?”

“Not to me,” William replied.

“To everyone else?”