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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

ALINA

Three days had passed, and it was time for Spider’s bachelor party. Star and Nova had organised it for them, and they had even hired a full staff to run it like a casino, including waitress service. I was at the club helping with the decorations, although every time I attempted to climb a ladder, Star would yell at me. A few of the hired staff turned up and Star handed them their outfits. I noticed one of the women looked young and pretty. Tapping my nails anxiously on the bar, I walked over to her once Star had finished talking to them.

“Hi, um... Could I ask you something?” I say awkwardly.

Her eyes narrow. “Sure,” she answers.

“How old are you?” I ask.

“I’m old enough to work here, if that’s what you mean,” she counters.

“Oh, no.” I smile. “It’s just that, um…” I pause, trying to think of a way I can put this without sounding weird. Then it clicks. Win her over, and do what I do best to convince her to agree. “Well, it’s silly really, but my nephew is coming tonight, and he’s just had a really nasty break-up.”

“I ain’t no whore,” she defends.

I hold up my hands. “No, no.” I fake a chuckle. “You misunderstand what I am saying,” I sigh, pretending to be a concerned aunt. “You see, he’s had his heart broken. Between us, she cheated on him. I mean, I warned him to stop buying her gifts and taking her out all the time. He was spoiling her! I mean, of course she was going to shit on him,” I huff. I watch as she changes her posture from defensive to interested. She rolls her bottom lip between her teeth as if she’s thinking, and I internally give myself a pat on the back. I’ve still got it. Feeling like I do when I’m winning over a jury or a client’s ex-partner, I go in for the kill, giving her the one thing I know will have her wanting to help him, to heal him. I almost want to roll my eyes at the thought of it. “Well, he’s sworn to himself that he will never love again. I mean, he hasn’t even been with another woman since, and it’s not for lack of women trying. I mean, what’s not to love about a tall, muscular, tattooed man that rides a bike? Of course, I know I’m biased being his aunt and all, but he is gorgeous,” I sigh. “I’m sorry. I should have never—” I say as I begin to turn away.

“No, um, it’s okay,” the girl stutters. A small smile tickles my lips. Gotcha!

I make my face back to one of an old, concerned aunt as I turn back to face her. “Oh, really? Honestly, that makes my day. He could just do with someone to talk to, to hang out with, you know? I saw you, and I thought you looked like the type of girl that may just help him through it,” I say with a beaming smile.

She gives me a small smile. “Sure, I’m Sandy, by the way.” She holds out her hand, and I take her hand in mine and shake it. “I’m not sure what help I can offer him, but I will try,” she adds. I bet you fucking will, you slut! I think to myself, even though I have set this up by essentially pimping out my baby daddy. The man I... Well, the man I like a lot. “Ow.” She winces, and it’s then that I realise I’m still holding her hand in mine, gripping it far too tight.

I let go. “Oh, I’m sorry. It’s the arthritis, you see,” I lie, adding to the ‘I’m old and no threat’ lie.

She waves it off. “I wouldn’t worry. My gran started getting arthritis in her fifties, too.”

In her fifties?! Did she think I was fucking fifty? I scream to myself. My jaw grits tight as I ball my hands into fists at my sides.

“Ha-ha, oh yes. It’s funny what happens to us when we get old ,” Star says, drawing out the word old while glaring at me with a ‘I’ve been fucking watching and listening to you’ glare. “Sometimes they even lose their mind,” Star adds, tilting her head. She breaks eye contact with me and looks at Sandy. “If you could go get ready, you can then begin organising your station,” she orders Sandy.

Sandy gives her a smile and nods. “Sure, it was nice to meet you,” she says sweetly before she starts to walk off.

“Sandy, a word of advice,” Star calls after her. “There are cameras everywhere, so if you so much as look too long, touch, or speak to any man that is here tonight, I will hunt you down in your sleep and cut off your left tit. Do I make myself clear?” Star threatens.

Sandy’s face pales, but she gives Star a curt nod before she scurries off down the hall.

I glare at her. “What the hell?!” I protest.

She turns and grabs me by the elbow, leading me over to the couch. “Sit your ass down there,” she barks, pointing to it. I sit, not arguing with her. She doesn’t scare me as such. I know when I have met my match in an opponent, and Star is definitely a worthy opponent. She takes a seat next to me, her eyes assessing me. “Okay, what the fuck was that all about?” she asks in a no-nonsense tone. I open my mouth to answer, but she holds up a finger, stopping me. “I don’t want a lawyer’s answer, so don’t even try to fob me off or play me like you did her. I saw what you did there,” she adds.

I exhale a long breath and flop back into the couch, groaning as I rub my face. “I’m old,” I whine, like a petulant child. Star should kick my ass. Hell, I would kick my ass. “He’s young, so young, and I may only be able to have this child. I don’t know if I even want any more children yet, and it’s not like I can just take my time to think about it, because I’m not far off menopause age. In fact, I think I know a few women who are going through it at my age. Hap is young, and he has a chance to find someone younger, not just younger than me, but younger than him. With time to date, time to fall in love, and time to have a family. All of those things. Me and Hap can’t be those things. I’m just going to age, to wrinkle, and things will start drooping. Hell! They already are, and I do palates. I can’t compete with the Sandys, and while it might feel okay now, in two or five years time, I don’t think I will feel okay,” I admit as I offload my feelings.

“Okay, I get it. As a woman, there are certain pressures to keeping everything tight. I understand that after having Enzo. I was terrified of having weak flaps. I would dream that on a strong windy day, and they would just start flapping all over the place, so much I’d nearly trip over them.” She smirks. I can’t fight the smile on my face at her words. She sighs, all humour leaving her expression. She leans her elbow on the back of the couch, resting her head in her palm. “You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. You are not only stunning; you are fierce. You are a complete fucking powerhouse; you are caring, and I know you will make an amazing mother.”

I shake my head. “You don’t have to say all those things, okay? I’m not fishing for attention or anything. I’m thinking logically and rationally. I’m saving myself from the heartbreak and disappointment that I know will come. I’ve been hurt before, and it stings a lot. I don’t want to go through that again, and I get the feeling that with Hap, it will sting all the more,” I confess. The ache is already building in my chest at the thought, which only certifies my decision that if it hurts this much now, I know I won’t survive it further down the line.

“You love him,” Star says softly.

I shake my head. “No, no. It’s not love.”

Star snorts, like I’m full of shit. “Okay, it’s not love. So you’re telling me that you’re more than fine with little miss perky rubbing herself up against him tonight? You know he isn’t going to go near her,” Star affirms.

I roll my eyes. “Come on, he’s not blind. Did you see her? It’s only fair that he has options, a way out. I won’t hold it against him. He will realise that I’m not right for him. Right now all he can see is that I’m carrying his baby. It’s just his testosterone kicking in, the caveman in him wanting to stake his claim while thumping his chest. Without this,” I say, gesturing to my bump. “I wouldn’t be sat here now. I would never have seen Hap again.”

Star’s mouth pulls into a thin line. she knows I’m right. “Fine,” she says, holding up her hands in defeat. “You want to play it this way, then that’s on you, but I am betting you that you are wrong about him. I think had you crossed paths again, regardless of carrying his kid, then you’d still be here. You’d still be fucking like rabbits, and he would still choose you over everyone else, and you refer yourself as old one more time, I swear I’m going to flick your nipple,” she threatens.

I burst out laughing. “Flip my nipple?” I snort.

Her lips twitch into a grin. “Yes, as I know how sensitive those fuckers are when pregnant, and I won’t hit a pregnant woman. No matter how much you need some sense slapped into you.”

“So, is this a bet?” I ask, raising my brow.

Star’s grin widens. “I knew I liked you. There are security cameras everywhere. We can sit and watch tonight while we are back at the house. No betting, because I will be right, and when he works out that you set this up, good luck with that,” she mocks.

“Well, it won’t happen now, as you just threatened Sandy’s left tit,” I point out.

Star’s eyes widen. “Shit, you’re right. Hold that thought.” She bolts out of the couch and goes after Sandy. “Sandy, wait! There is one guy you can rub yourself up against!” she yells.

“Who’s got the popcorn?” I ask.

“Here.” Belle hands me the large bowl, and I take a big handful.

We are all sat in the living room with the security camera’s live feed streaming onto the large TV screen.

“How did you even manage to get this to work?” Josie asks as she dips her chip into the seven layer dip Nova made.

“I may have given my brother a little call.” Maggie smirks. “He talked me through shit via video call.” Maggie clinks her wine glass with Star.

“Oooh, is that her?” Rhea asks, pointing excitedly as she takes a bite of her red liquorice.

“Yeah, that’s her,” I answer, my lip curling in disgust at her tiny black hotpants that barely covers her perky round ass. That’s when I spy her white shirt. I mean, how many buttons can she have undone?! She may as well just walk around with her tits out. “I thought she was running the blackjack table, not fucking stripping,” I huff, feeling jealousy growing, and for the first time I’m starting to regret my decision. Star nudges me with her elbow, a knowing smirk on her face. “Yeah, yeah. Just shut up and drink your wine,” I mutter. Star laughs and drinks her wine.

“So, let me get this straight. We want her to hit on Hap?” Dixie asks, a confused look on her face.

“No, we don’t, right?” Elsie asks, furrowing her brow.

“Yes, we want her to make her move. We want her to come on to him, and for him to turn her down and declare his love for Alina,” Star confirms.

“But it would be okay if he didn’t. I mean, it’s not like we are exclusive.” I shrug, like it’s no big deal, when in reality I feel sick. I’m shovelling popcorn into my mouth in an effort to lock down my emotions.”

“You keep shovelling popcorn in your mouth like that, you will choke and miss me being right,” Star mutters in my ear.

“So, we are honey trapping Hap?” Josie asks. “That’s what it’s called, right? Like those shows on TV, and then the wife or girlfriend walks in and is all like GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY MAN, BITCH! Then they start pulling each other’s hair out,” Josie states, while acting out the part of the show.

We all laugh at Josie. “Oh, look!” Elise points to the screen. I turn my attention back to the TV and see Hap approach the blackjack table. I watch as she talks to him, specifically at her hand movements and the way she stands. Then she drops something on the floor, and as she turns around, she bends over, displaying her ass, aimed directly at Hap. My hands ball into fists, and my nails dig into my palms. “Oh, shit,” Elsie mutters.

“That is the lowest form of flirting. She may as well have opened her legs and said I’m fertile,” Star tuts next to me.

I don’t say anything, as my gaze is completely transfixed on the screen before me, praying that he doesn’t do anything, but that’s what I wanted, wasn’t it? I wanted him to move on to someone else. I rub my chest with the palm of my hand, feeling that deep ache. We watched as Hap didn’t even look at her ass. Instead, he looked away. seemingly bored.

“Well, would you look at that?” Star gloats from beside me.

“You haven’t won yet. There is still time,” I counter.

We sit there for another hour watching them before Maggie lets out a big yawn. “Seriously, something entertaining better happen soon, or I’m going to bed.”

With that, we all watch as the woman walks around the blackjack table and places her hand on Hap’s shoulder, her fingers delicately tracing the outline of his cut. She leans in closer, whispering something in his ear, before she moves her mouth along and around to his. An audible gasp echoes around the room while my heart plummets.

Hap’s hand moves and quickly grabs the girl’s face.

“Holy shit,” I breathe as Hap’s carefree expression changes from relaxed to murderous. I watch as words are exchanged, and he lets her go, and she scurries off. That’s when the brothers all move towards him, asking what happened. It looks like he’s explaining, and that’s when Star’s cell begins to ring, making us all jump. She answers and puts it on speakers.

“Eyes on me,” Ghost growls down the phone. We all look from Star’s phone to the screen, seeing Ghost staring furiously down the camera. “Darlin’,” Ghost begins, but he doesn’t get to finish.

“Retreat! We’ve been busted! Retreat!” Star screeches before jumping from her seat in a panic.

“Woman,” we hear Ghost growl. Star hits the end call button and runs out of the room like her ass is on fire. Everyone else begins to stand and leave for bed, muttering their goodnights as they go. My cell pings with an incoming text.

I look down at my phone to see a message from Hap.

Bed now.

Nothing else. I quickly reply.

No.

I can feel my heart beating wildly in my chest, both from anger and the anticipation of what he will do.

Do not fucking test me right now.

I nibble on my bottom lip. So he’s annoyed. Fine. I will apologise like an adult. It doesn’t mean that he can treat me like a child. What’s he going to do? Put me in a time-out? This is ridiculous. I quickly send back a reply.

Or what?

It takes a second for me to realise what I’ve sent. “Shit,” I mumble, feeling anxious. I sit, staring at my phone as I wait for a reply that never comes.