“What?” Reece recoils in horror, his mouth hanging open. “Fuck no.”
“Fuck no to which part?” Aurora asks. “You being into Dominatrix, or…”
“Wait!” Jax throws his head back in laughter. “This is the best day of my life.” He inhales sharply, trying to rein himself in. “You don’t remember? Were you blackout drunk wearing bowling shoes?” He clutches his stomach and doubles over. “Please tell me you were wearing matching bowling shoes while you fucked.”
Reece’s face turns a deep shade of red. “Shut the fuck up before I toss your ass over the balcony.” His hesitant gaze finds Aurora. “I did not sleep with Bennett…or anyone else I work with.”
Aurora crosses her arms over her chest and cocks a brow. “Are you sure? Youweredrunk.”
She’s faking. If she actually thought he’d slept with a co-worker, she’d be pouting or shooting daggers at him. Instead,there’s an amused gleam in her eyes. She’s busting his balls—Jackson too.
Welcome to the family, Reece.
“Not that drunk. I remember going home.”
“With someone?”
“No.” His chest heaves. “Did Bennett say I did?”
Her lips curl into a naughty smirk. “She said she saw you taking a piss in the alleyway with your pants around your ankles—her exact words. She said your dick scarred her for life.”
“Jesus Christ.” He blows out a breath. “I’m going to spank your ass so fucking hard.” He lunges for her. “Give me your phone. You’re not allowed to talk to my co-workers anymore.”
Jax and I exchange a sidelong glance. Piercings and spankings? Reece might be kinkier than we thought.
Aurora squeals and turns away. “You can have it after Bennett and I discuss where to take her wife shopping while she fucks over the patriarchy.”
Chapter 33
Ethan
“How can you be friends with her?” Jax glowers at Aurora from his plush leather seat on the private jet. “She called you a doormat—death’sdoormat.”
“I’m pretty sure that was aimed at me.” Facing them, I stretch out my legs and get comfortable for the five-hour flight ahead. “Bennett was saying I’m death and Aurora is my doormat. She was pissed I wouldn’t let Aurora out of my grip. She thinks I control you both…and maybe the Rossi family too.”
Leaving the condo and boarding the plane was uneventful. Bennett and two other agents escorted us. I could tell Reece’s commander was itching to get Aurora alone, which wasn’t going to happen. Even when our girl turned over evidence, I kept her and Jax close, my hand clasping Aurora’s nape the entire time.
Bennett glared at me as if I were the enemy. I don’t blame her, nor do I care. I did end Jax’s interrogation, and I am atadcontrolling when it comes to what’s mine—none of which is about to change.
Am I annoyed with Aurora for going behind my back and setting up something with Bennett? A little. Am I surprised? No. She’ll always protect Jackson. Will I allow her to continueworking with Homeland Security? Absolutely not. I’m about to lock her in the loft in New York.
Our girl casts a glance at Reece, who’s next to me, before turning to Jax. “I’m not her friend.” She holds his heated stare. “But I’ll play along if I have to. You think I don’t know that vacant look? The one you had at the hospital?” Her voice breaks, and she swallows hard. “I haven’t seen those lifeless eyes in a long time, and if I need to act ditzy and bubbly to keep Bennett focused on me and not you—fine. I’ve got a lot planned.”
His gaze softens, but his jaw remains tight. “I don’t want you involved in this. I never have.”
“But I am.” Imploring him to understand, she steeples her fingers at her chest. “From the moment we met, I’ve been a part of this, possibly even before then.” She shrugs. “Who knows? Without you, I might have followed in Emily’s footsteps.”
He shakes his head and furrows his brow. “You wouldn’t have. That’s not you.”
“It doesn’t matter.” She waves him off. “Think about it, Jax. Emily was associated with your father and Hugo. She dated one of your best friends, who she lost interest in once we moved in together. You knew nothing about her, but she knew everything about you. You hated her, but she still hung out with you and the guys after we broke up. Why? I thought she wanted to be a wealthy hockey wife. How stupid am I?”
“Aurora,” I growl. “Watch your mouth.”
Of course, she ignores me. “I was pretty fucking dense. Who was at the Laguna Beach penthouse the day before Kyle showed up?” she asks Jax. “How did he find out I was pregnant and staying with you? I didn’t trust Emily enough to tell her about Ethan. Kyle found out about him by following me to New York, where Emily was supposed to be. She knew the address. Kyle assumed the baby was yours, which is what we let Emily believe.Throughout our entire relationship, your dad has always known what we were up to.”
“And that’s how Kyle discovered the loft, took pictures of us, and shared them with Hugo,” Reece adds. “God-fucking-dammit, I hate her.”
Jax drops his head into his hands and pulls at his hair.
