Page 96 of The Souls We Claim

“Nice,” Vex yells. “I came to tell you I think I found your brother.”

29

ARIANNE

The low rumble of masculine voices rouses me awake the following evening.

Disoriented, I open my eyes and realize I fell asleep in Jax’s…our…bed. My watch tells me it’s eight p.m. and I didn’t know Halo was expecting company.

I stretch my hands over my head. My neck is a little stiff given the angle I slept in, and the little Band-Aid over the needle site on my arm pulls a little.

Jax paid extra to expedite the results of our tests, and the thought of him taking me without a condom in our near future was enough for him to be outrageously flirtatious until Lola was bathed and in bed, and then he fucked me seven ways to Sunday.

I don’t even remember him getting out of bed.

Jax had spent the rest of yesterday with Vex and King after Vex’s announcement about his brother. While I was concerned for him, it gave me the opportunity to spend more time with the other old ladies. They were so different to each other and yet incredibly close friends. We cooked together, making huge batches of meals for everyone. The combination of friendship and purpose meant I found myself strangely happy in the chaoshappening around us. I was almost disappointed when we returned to our respective homes this afternoon.

I pull on some shorts and one of Jax’s T-shirt, and when I enter the family room, Niro is lying on the floor, and Lola is sitting on his chest. He’s mock fighting with her, and she giggles every time he moves her fist to hit his jaw. It’s so sweet, I find it hard to be mad she’s out of bed.

Saint and Spark stand in the doorway to the garden, and it strikes me that they could both be in shampoo commercials. I bet they don’t do anything to get it that way when I have to use a billion products on my hair to get any kind of wave in it.

King and Clutch sit at the bar stools, sipping coffee with Jax, and Vex, Switch, and Bates lounge on the sofa.

Each of them wear black boots, varying shades of denim, and their cuts. The only thing that differs is the color of their T-shirts. Today, Jax is wearing a black Henley, which hugs his upper body and makes me want to strip it off him.

When he sees me, he smiles and makes his way to me. But instead of saying anything, he cups my cheeks and kisses me in a way that feels indecent in polite company.

“I think I just got pregnant,” Vex says.

“He keeps kissing her like that, so will Arianne,” King says.

I flinch a little. Jokes about getting pregnant and staying pregnant never land well with anyone who can’t have children.

“We don’t make jokes about pregnancy, Prez,” Halo says.

“No, it’s okay,” I whisper.

He shakes his head. “Not okay to upset you, kitten.”

I glance over at King, then back to Halo. “Don’t get in trouble with your boss though.”

Halo’s laughter echoes around the kitchen. “Prez, are you my boss?”

King stands, but his eyes pierce mine. They are so blue, they’re glacial. “I’m not. Didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry.”

I feel the need to explain, but Halo speaks first. “Thanks, Prez.”

“Thank you,” I echo.

“I gotta go, and I’ll be gone overnight,” Halo says.

I look around the kitchen at all the men. “You’re all going together?”

Halo nods.

“Good.”

“Good?” Halo asks.