Page 27

“Got himself a woman,” Drix explained.

“Well, it’s about fucking time,” I said wryly. “It’s a good thing, right? Carina wasn’t gonna wait forever.”

“That’s just it,” Drix said dryly. “It’s not Carina.”

I sighed deeply and rubbed at the tension headache forming in my temples. “Fucking stupid dick.”

“Yeah. I know, brother. Tried to talk some sense into him, but he’s got a chip on his shoulder as big as fuckin’ Texas. Says she’s too young for him.”

“There’s an age gap for sure,” I concurred. “But it’s not like she’s eighteen. Jesus, her daughter’s a teenager, and Carina knows her own mind.” I shook my head frustratedly. “How’s she takin’ it?”

Hendrix let out a short, humorless laugh. “Think she’s given up. Anna reckons she’s at the stage where she wouldn’t take him now if he were gift-wrapped. Says she wants a man who wants her no-holds-barred like Benny did.”

“Can’t blame her for that, Drix,” I pointed out. “It can’t be easy to have all that chemistry with someone who keeps blowing her off. Her confidence must have taken a nosedive. ”

“You’re right,” he stated. “Blade’s made his choice, and right or wrong, he has to live with it. Veep’s big enough and ugly enough to take care of himself.”

I chuckled softly. “Thought we were over all this angst bullshit when we left Wyoming,”

“Same,” he responded.

“What’s happening with Fender?” I asked.

He heaved out an audible breath. “Nothing. That’s the problem. The kids are running wild. If it weren’t for the women, they’d have no discipline at all. Addy’s screaming for attention and even the boys are gettin’ pissed with him. It’s a nightmare, Ice. He can’t even look at her.”

“She’s Ashley’s double,” I pointed out.

“Yeah, she is. But the kids’ schools are even noticing now.

Had Addison’s teacher sniffing around the other day, checking on things.

Anna asked me about approaching Fender to officially adopt her.

She’s fuckin’ furious with the way he’s neglecting his girl.

She and Carina step in and step up, but Anna feels like she’s crossing a line most of the time because Addie’s not even related to her.

She shouldn’t be bathing the girl and doing all that personal stuff. ”

“Better Anna than nobody, Hendrix. Maybe you could couch it to her like we’re all a big family, kids included, and you don’t need to adopt Addie to care for her.

Go with the whole ‘it takes a village’ concept.

Fender obviously doesn’t have an issue with Anna’s relationship with Addie if he hasn’t spoken up. ”

“Not sure he even cares, Iceman.”

“He does. He’s just lost in his grief. If anyone can get what he’s goin’ through, it’s us.” I felt a presence behind me, and I craned my neck to see Saint walking toward me wearing a short robe.

I held my hand out as she approached, tugging her onto my lap the instant she put her fingers in mine. My free hand went to her hair and stroked it back from her face, and I touched my mouth to hers.

“Gonna bring Saint to the hotel before we go to New York,” I announced, shifting the cell phone slightly to allow Saint to tuck her head under my chin.

Her eyes lifted to meet mine, and she beamed.

“Anna and I moved into the house last weekend,” Drix declared. “You two can take my suite while you’re here if you like. It’s at the top of the hotel, and nobody bunks up there apart from Dad, and he’s cool. No fucker will bother you up there, except Diablo, maybe.”

“Why the fuck would Diablo bother us?” I demanded.

“Apparently, he’s a huge Saint’s Rapture fan.” Drix laughed.

Slowly, my eyes closed. “Oh fuck.”

Prez laughed harder. “He’ll make a fool of himself. You know he’s got no chill.”

I shook my head, smiling. “Luckily, Saint’s got enough chill for the both of them. My woman will be sweet to him. She can’t help herself.”

Saint snuggled closer, tangling her legs with mine.

“Happy for ya, brother,” Hendrix murmured.

“I’m happy for me, too.” I cupped Saint’s jaw and tilted her chin up until her eyes met mine again. “Gonna marry my girl and plant babies in her, and I’m doin’ it soon.”

I watched her face carefully, studying the nuances in her expression, but she didn’t flinch or wince even slightly; she didn’t seem shocked at all.

In fact, I may as well have been talking about the weather because her lips curved, and she blew me a kiss before tucking her chin back into my neck and sliding a hand across my stomach, cuddling me closely.

“So, I guess we need a powwow when you get back,” Drix deduced. “If Saint lives on the west coast and you live on the east coast. I’m pretty sure you don’t want a long-distance marriage, so that means one of you has to relocate.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “I’ll talk to Saint about it, and we’ll take it from there.

There’s no reason we can’t have homes in two places.

I’ll build her a house with a recording studio in Virginia, and we can go between the two, depending on her schedule.

I may have to cut back on jobs, but Colt travels the country with the FBI and still manages to keep up, even if it’s remotely. No reason we can’t do the same.”

Saint glanced up and nodded enthusiastically, her azure blues dancing excitedly.

I grinned down at her.

That was fucking easy.

But that was one of the many reasons I’d fallen ass over heels in love with her.

It wasn’t a surprise that we were on the same page.

Saint already told me in one of our many ‘getting to know you’ convos that she wanted kids, and she wasn’t the type of woman to fuck around.

My baby knew what she wanted, and she wanted it yesterday.

Perfect for me.

I leaned down and brushed my mouth against hers.

“How’s the job going?” Hendrix asked. “We saw you fucking up that photographer on socials. Colt showed everyone. When Diablo saw that fucker try to upskirt Saint, he threatened to fly out there and chop a cock.”

I busted out laughing. “Tell D I’ll fly him out soon. Gotta couple of scores he can help me settle but chopping cocks off may be a little extreme.”

A strangled noise escaped Saint’s throat.

“Any movement on the stalker?” Hendrix asked.

“No,” I muttered. “Nothing since the last lot of photographs.”

“You think he’s given up?” Hendrix asked .

I kissed the top of Saint’s head. “What I think is that he’s biding his time. I’ve no doubt he’s been watching and seen me glued to Saint’s side. Eventually, he’ll cave and either try to go around me or through me. Either way, he’ll fail.”

I felt Saint’s body stiffen.

“You and the boys are booked to go to NYC with the band when they start recording the album. When are you coming to Virginia?”

“End of the week. I need at least a few days in Virginia to sort my shit. Plus, I wanna start looking for a house or at least a plot of land.”

I felt Saint smile against my neck.

“You know, me and Dad own plenty of land, Ice,” Hendrix reminded me. “You can buy a plot and live on the river.”

“Saint would like that,” I said thoughtfully. “She loves the water. Okay, so it’s not Malibu Beach, but it’s still pretty. Could solve our problems.”

“We’ll talk when you get home,” Hendrix assured me.

“Cool. See ya soon, brother.”

“Later,” he muttered, and the line went dead.

I dropped my cell phone on the table next to the sun lounger and wrapped my arm around my girl. “You warm enough, baby?” I asked.

“I am now,” she replied softly, peering up at me. “You wanna get married quickly?”

I shrugged nonchalantly. “No point waiting. We both want babies and soon, and I won’t knock you up until you take my name.”

She held my gaze. “I need to keep my name for work. My management trademarked Saint McClure and Saint’s Rapture. I can trademark Irons, too, but I’m not sure where that would leave me legally. ”

“Use McClure for work,” I advised her. “But with everything else, use Irons. I want us and our kids to have the same name.”

“Good idea,” she murmured. “I’ll talk to Talia, then patiently wait for your formal proposal.” Her voice took on a teasing quality. “If you’re good, I may even accept.”

I laughed. “Baby. I’m not asking. Mark my words; by the year’s end, you’ll have my name and hopefully my baby in your belly.”

Her eyes bugged out. “Jacob. That’s four months away.”

“Better hurry up and get that album recorded, then. Maybe we’ll have a Christmas wedding.” My lips curved into a self-satisfied smirk.

Her gaze was warm, her eyes soft. “So basically, I won’t get a formal proposal. You’ve got everything mapped out, and I don’t have a choice in it?”

“Pretty much,” I answered, full of bravado. “I’ll get down on one knee if you want, but even if you say no, I’ll still slip a diamond on your finger.”

Saint rolled her eyes like the brat she was.

I fingered the lapel of her silky robe, my finger dipping underneath to stroke her nipple. “I like this sexy little thing.”

She shivered at the contact. “Thanks. I wore it for you.” She leaned up and whispered, “I’m naked underneath, and hearing you talk about marriage and babies has made me all wet.”

I groaned out loud.

Sexy as fuck.

“Wanna slip it off me and fuck me by my pool?” she asked seductively.

I let out a growl. “There’s nothing I want more, baby, but that pervert fucker may be out there with a long-lens camera. Your body’s for me and me alone. ”

Her hand came up and cupped my jaw, her beautiful eyes darting between mine. “You better take me to bed then, Jacob. Your woman needs a good fucking.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. I did an ab curl to a sitting position, hauled ass off the sun lounger, and then reached down with both arms and scooped Saint into them.

She let out a surprised squeal. Her hands slid up my chest, and she linked her fingers around my nape, staring into my eyes as I carried her into the house.

And I proceeded to give my woman a good fucking.