Page 87

“Little do they know, I took pictures that will go in our Christmas card.” Jewls strips off her cover-up, grabs two of the floats from the wagon, and comes into the pool.
“I think they are adorable,” Willow offers.
“I love them, but my mom will have a stroke when all our friends and family receive our card with her precious babies wearing shorts with beavers. My enjoyment will be watching Huey and Duey get reamed out.”
“Huey and Duey are nicknames for her brothers,” I clarify.
Major hands off the boys one by one to get them in the floats, then removes his shirt, coming into the water.
“Why do I get the impression you plan to stay a while?” I grumble.
Harley giggles. “You were right, baby. This is fun. And I totally see the twinkle in his eyes.”
Ace sits next to her, taking her hand. “Told you.”
“Okay, we’ve been rude enough. You’ve met my husband, Major, I’m Jewls, and these are our demons, Levi and Koby.”
“You know Achilles, but I’m Harley.”
“I’m Willow.” There’s a hitch in her voice as she tries again to step out of my hold. I ease up enough for her to stand but keep her in my arms.
“We know.”
“Good to see you again, Willow.” Major smiles knowingly at her.
“Y-y-ou too.”
I drop my gaze to see her eyes darting between the ink on Major and Ace’s chests. She’s too polite to ask, but her curiosity is evident.
“We all have identical dates,” I explain softly, knowing this could be a landmine. Her apprehension about my career—past and present—is already an issue for her fears.
“Is there a significance?”
“Survival.” I brace for any reaction.
“That’s really… touching.” She skims her fingertip lightly over the sequence.
“How are you feeling, Willow? We heard what happened.” Harley swings the conversation.
“I’m great. It was a fluke thing.”
“Nothing about finding you lifeless and bleeding was a fluke,” I counter cooly.
“That was a bit dramatic. I fainted and bit my lip. All was well after a few hours.”
“Doesn’t sound dramatic to me. Surprised he let you out of the hospital without cause,” Ace throws in his two cents.
“That’s because you are a barbaric nutcase. Talon is more refined.” Harley rolls her eyes.
“I should be fine to go back to work on Friday,” Willow announces.
“Not happening.”
“Excuse me?”
“Not going back to work until next week.”
“Says who?”