Page 50 of Belonging to Them

“Yum, I love diaper cake,” I say.“I hope I’m invited.”

“Um…” Ella’s shoulders fall.“I told Gianna it would be just a few women.Do you mind sitting out this party?”

“Not at all,” I say, exchanging a look with Kingston.

He just shrugs.

“Okay, what was that?”Ella asks.

“Hmm?”I say.Shit.She looks suspicious.

“What was that look for?”Spinning around, she points a finger at Kingston.“You guysboththink Gianna is a…scammer or something?”

“No, neither of us does,” I say.

“Well, you’re exchanging meaningful looks over my head, like I’m some willful, disobedient kid.Possibly a stupid one, if you think I won’t notice.”

“Hey,” I say, my voice sharper than normal.“Let’s calm down.I only looked at King to see what his reaction would be, because he previously mentioned some reservations.We’re not telling secrets about you or trying to make you feel stupid.I do want to meet Gianna sometime, and not because I believe she’s a scammer.It’s because I believe she might become important to you, because if she’s carrying Tommy’s baby, that’s your niece or nephew, and you’re going to want to be involved.But I don’t have to meet her at her baby shower.I’m not upset about that, and neither is King.Right, King?”

“Right,” he says.“Ella, we talked last night.I’m okay with this.You don’t have to keep defending her or your intentions to help her out.”

Ella deflates slightly.“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” King and I say at the same time.

“Okay.Then no more talk aboutifshe’s carrying Tommy’s baby.She says she is, so she is.That’s my niece or nephew, I just know it.And I’m sorry for getting so defensive.”

“You don’t have to apologize, princess,” I say.“Although I am of a mind to punish you.”

“Oh, really?”She folds her arms across her chest and gives me a challenging smile.

“Such a brat,” I say with a laugh.Striding forward, I take her ponytail in my hand and pull her head back so I can kiss her mouth.Everything I have, everything I am, goes into this kiss.I love this girl so much.And tonight, King and I are going to show her just how much we can love—and punish.

* * *

Sebastian

When Ella’s asleep, I look over at Kingston.He nods, and we climb out of bed and pull on our pants, careful to not disturb Ella.

We go to the kitchen, where I pour King a couple fingers of whiskey and get a glass of water for myself.

“Do you need to say anything else about this Gianna person?”I ask him.

“No.I meant it—I’m going to trust Ella’s instincts on this.We don’t need to coddle her, and she has her bodyguards with her all the time.I think I’m being overprotective.”

“All right, then,” I say.“Good.Because I really wanted to see the necklace in person.Is it easy to get?”

“Yeah, it’s in my luggage.”He disappears to the other room for a minute, then comes back with a dark gray jewelry box.A black bow sits on the lid.

He eases the box open, revealing a necklace that looks even prettier in person than it did in the photo he sent me.

“She’s going to fucking love it,” I say.

“I think so, too.I want to plan something nice for giving it to her,” King says.“Any ideas?”

“Not immediately,” I say.“It should be something meaningful for all three of us.”

“Yeah, I agree.A grand gesture.”He takes a sip of whiskey and leans back against the counter.“I’m giving Kristin more responsibility at the office.She’s more than capable.It’ll free up some time for me.I’m jealous that you and Ella get so much time together.”