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“The gentleman at the door was kind enough to let me in.” Kyle’s words slur and run together. “This is where you’ve been? Holed up with this whore?”
My eyes burn with tears. His cruel remarks are nothing new but still painful and humiliating.
I won’t stay here with Kyle, and I won’t be with Jackson, fake or not, if his father is part of his life. Been there, done that. With Kyle around, it’s only a matter of time before Jax relapses.
“I’m not doing this.” I break free of Jackson’s hold.
I face the doors into the penthouse, ready to escape, but Kyle steps in front of me, blocking my exit.
Jackson quickly returns me to his embrace, his muscular arms enveloping me. “What the fuck do you want?”
Kyle tilts his head, feigning concern. “Is it not okay to visit my son and his pregnant prostitute?”
Tears well in my eyes, and mortification stings my cheeks.
Jax points to the doors, his body shaking with rage. “Get the fuck out!”
Kyle reaches around me and shoves Jackson’s shoulder. “Boy, you don’t scare me. You think you’re a man now that you got some bitch pregnant? Good job, Aurora. You got your big payday.”
Jax doesn’t budge. He’s taller than Kyle by several inches and way more powerful. I hate violence, but for once, I wish Jackson would defend himself.
His father’s words and behavior are gut-wrenching, but on top of that, his stale cherry cigar smell turns my stomach. I tuck my face into Jackson’s shirt, trying to breathe through the wave of nausea. I need to leave before I throw up, but I’m paralyzed by anxiety and fear.
Jax cups my head, holding me tight to his chest, and rubs my back. “Shut the fuck up and get out, or I’ll have security remove you.”
Kyle laughs manically, wafting his rotten stench, and my stomach lurches.
“I’m going to be sick, Jax.” My head swims, and my words sound distant and sluggish.
“Aww,Jax. She’s going to be sick,” Kyle mocks.
Jackson dips his head. “Ricky stepped outside. Go with him. I’ll handle this.”
I separate from him, and as soon as we’re apart, Kyle’s gaze lowers to my baby bump, and his lip curls into a snide smirk.
Even though the ground beneath me whirls, I hug myself and put one foot in front of the other.
Behind Kyle, Ricky’s massive body charges toward us, and I focus on his fierce, dark-blue eyes. I take two steps before my vision blurs. Time slows to a halt. A sudden wave of heat washes over me, leaving me lightheaded, and my knees give way.
Black spots shroud my periphery.
Fingers circle my wrist, and at first, I think Ricky has reached out to steady me. But the grip tightens at the joint, and pain radiates through my forearm and hand. My body jolts sideways, and I cry out.
Chaos explodes around me, the sounds of a brawl assaulting my ears. My wrist is freed, and I stumble. My wobbly legs scramble to remain upright, but it’s useless. The ground rushes toward me, and my arms shoot out in vain.
I slam into the concrete, and everything fades away.
TWENTY-SIX
ETHAN
“You get her publicly.Spend the day together. Go on dates—fuck, for all I care—but she’s living with me.” I pace the room, gesturing animatedly with my hands.
Jackson ignores me, not giving a shit about my ranting. He hasn’t glanced in my direction twice since I arrived at the hospital, keeping his focus on Aurora and the baby monitor. His knowledge of all this baby stuff is another thing that irks me.
The hour-long ride was brutal. Seeing her for the first time in months was equally as hard. I wanted to delay this moment. I knew being around her would only intensify my longing, and I thought if I kept my distance, I could repress my feelings for her.
Now, regret is tearing me apart. She’s my responsibility, and her safety should’ve been a priority.