Page 38 of Nothing to This

She couldn’t.

She couldn’t sign.

Inhaling, she twisted to find JD’s gaze.“I want to interview bodyguards,” she said, a thread of panic in her voice.“It will be expensive, but I’ll find a way to contribute.”

JD cupped her face, smoothing his thumb across her cheek.“I’ll take care of it.”

“They’re going to kindergarten after the summer.They could be exposed to… We won’t be there.”

He offered a comforting smile.“You don’t have to explain.I’ll take care of it.”

“We can postpone signing the contract,” Andrews said.“I’ll add a financial provision for security that caps your exposure.”

JD’s hand dropped to the table with a thud.“Did you just use the phrase ‘caps my exposure’ in relation to the safety of my children?You see everything around us?Remember every property you’ve ever visited around the world that’s owned by me?I’d sell it all if it made my children smile.I’d conquer the damn planet if it meant keeping them safe.”

Her hand slithered over the top of his to soothe him with a squeeze.“Shh,” she whispered.“Don’t get angry, Overlord.He meant nothing by it.”

JD’s hand turned to link their fingers.While she used her other hand to rub his forearm, he gazed into her.The longer they held that contact, the more he seemed to calm.He’d comforted her without dismissing her worry.Whatever their children needed, she didn’t doubt he’d provide.

“I apologize,” Andrews said.“Given this unexpected development, a postponement may be wise.There is no clause to include additional children.We didn’t believe it was necessary, though your sister implied—”

“His sister thinks she’s funny,” she said, leaning closer to JD, tilting her head, asking without words if he felt better.

He answered by picking up her hand to kiss her knuckles.

Once they were both breathing normally again, JD switched his attention to the lawyers.“If there are future children, Rylee and I will sign our names together on a completely different contract.I don’t want to postpone, and Rylee trusts me to take care of all the financial needs of our children, especially security.”He touched her face again.“Don’t you, Siren?”

“I do.”

JD was beyond generous.She couldn’t imagine him ever withholding anything from their children or from her.

“This document is about disclosure,” JD said.“It lifts all barriers and allows us to freely acknowledge each other without fear of repercussions.Everyone must understand that my family is to be embraced and aided, not to be punished or denied.”

“Yes, sir, but Miss Hampton is not technically your family.”

“She’s the mother of my children.”He didn’t skip or hesitate a second.“Short of my children themselves, I consider her the closest family I have,” he said.“It’s ridiculous to tell the children they can be honest about their parentage and then demand their mother call them liars or remain mute.Furthermore, I object to her being treated like she has done something wrong.The very existence of the contract in the first place is such an affront that we should all be grateful to her for giving us the time of day.”

“Baby,” she murmured, inching closer.“You’re getting yourself upset again.”

“Damn right I am.”

“Can you gentlemen give us a minute, please?”she asked.

The lawyers gathered their things.

“No,” JD said, his brow creased in a frown.“Sign the contract, Ry, and then these gentlemen can go.We don’t want them hanging around more than they have to.”Picking up her hand to kiss her knuckles again, he wrapped each of her fingers around the pen.“Please.”

If she was just going to sign the contract after calling them back in, it made sense to sign it and let the lawyers go on their way.

Inspired by his determination, she clutched the pen tighter and put her autograph everywhere they needed it before pushing the contracts toward the lawyers.In a daze as the notary did his thing, she stayed numb during the conversation JD had with the trio of men before getting up to show them out.

She hadn’t so much as left her chair.JD came back over and swiveled it around to crouch in front of her, something he did with the kids when he was being tender or understanding.

“Talk to me, Siren,” he murmured, gathering her hands.“What’s wrong?”

“It’s gone,” she said.“There are no more rules.”

She couldn’t match the glee that became a grin on his face.“That’s right.I can finally claim my family without obstacles.”