Page 60 of Stone: The Precursor

Jace responds without looking up from Valentina. “You know it. The bastard hates to look weak, but he has no choice. Chemo is kicking his obstinate ass.”

The small part of me that still loves my father aches for what he’s going through. He’s so sick, and as much as I wish he would let me in, I know he never will. He’s too emotionless to care what I think or how I feel.

The sound of the baby fussing makes me look up as Jace cuddles his new daughter. He brings her over to Sophia. Sophia removes the sushi, setting it on the rolling table next to her. She sanitizes, reaching out for her daughter.

“Hi, love. Are you hungry?”

Jace helps settle her onto Sophia’s chest, while Sophia bares her breast. Valentina roots around, and Sophia winces when she latches.

“Ow. Jesus, little girl. So greedy.”

“She takes after her dad when it comes to your tits, Sparta.”

“Oh my god.” I lean away from him as he bends down to Sophia, nuzzling her neck. “You are so weird.”

“Don’t traumatize your sister, Park. Go get me something cute from the gift store.”

He lifts his head. “You know how expensive those things are?”

“And you’re rich.” Sophia raises an eyebrow. “I want to talk to Cam alone.”

“Why?”

“I swear to god, will you go? Make sure whatever you buy is expensive. I just pushed out your 8 lb daughter.”

“I already said thank you.”

“Keep the thanks coming. Go.”

I turn my back when Jace holds her face gently and kisses her passionately, softly.

“I’ll thank you until my dying day. I love you.”

Sophia’s soft I love you reaches my ears, and again I feel the pang of envy.

“I need to call Stone anyway. I think I want to get a tattoo of Val’s feet on my chest. The man is always away doing business. I’ll see if he’s busy next week.”

My mind literally hiccups at his name. Not that I wasn’t thinking about him before, but the flush I feel in my cheeks is probably clear on my face. His name alone makes me itchy, and he refuses to scratch that itch. Thinking about him and lusting after him is pointless, so I wander over to the flower arrangements near the windowsill. One catches my eye; a massive bouquet of what I think are wildflowers. It’s gorgeous. The design is haphazard, like the flowers were picked at random, but I can tell there is a focus. The colors are muted, but wonderful in their simplicity. I touch a delicate feathery bloom. The softness is unlike anything I’ve felt before. Curling vines sprout everywhere, and I love it. A cute baby skunk with a pink bow on the crown of its head is attached. Behind him, Jace and Sophia are whispering, more like arguing, and I tune back in,forcing my mind away from the bouquet and who might have sent it to Sophia. I watch them. Jace’s arms are crossed, and Sophia’s face displays her classic scowl.

“Yeah. Business.” Sophia rolls her eyes, sarcasm evident in her tone.

“Don’t start, Sparta.” His look is cryptic.

“I’m not starting anything.” She looks so annoyed at Jace, and I wonder why. It feels secretive.

“Anyway. Maybe I can get him to do a quick one?”

“Oh lord. We’ll talk about tattoos later.”

Jace kisses his daughter’s head one last time and exits the room.

“What was that about?” I question, watching as Sophia touches her daughter’s cheek softly. The baby is asleep at her breast, and Sophia gently removes her from her nipple before resting her on her chest.

Sophia stops, watching me carefully, but doesn’t answer my question. “It’s beautiful right?”

“What’s beautiful?”

“The bouquet.”