My stomach plummets. “We’re lucky Emily didn’t harm Aurora or the baby to appease him.”
Jackson snaps upright, his face pale and eyes wide. “Are we sure she didn’t?” His breathing grows rapid and shallow. “Aurora was sick in New York, and we never figured out how Kyle drugged me.”
Rage floods my veins, and my heartbeat pounds in my ears, drowning out Aurora’s response. I turn to Reece for answers.
Thinking, he peers up and to the side. “I ordered all her food, made all her meals. She was only out of my sight once—at Emily’s. Still, it’s highly unlikely. I would’ve become suspicious if Aurora were suddenly sick.”
Thank fuck he was there, takes his job seriously, and caters to her every whim.
It doesn’t ease the fury in my chest though.
“I was throwing up from the beginning of my pregnancy.” Her words shake, and her lip trembles. “The baby is fine—he has to be—and each ultrasound has been perfect.”
Jax wraps her in his arms. “He’s perfect, babe. I promise. I’m paranoid, that’s all. I’m sorry.”
He comforts her while I ponder homicide. What constitutes a murderable offense? Where do you draw the line? Assisting a predator in harming what’s mine? Definitely crosses the line, right?
I flip my phone over in my hand and contemplate texting Rocco or Dante. Maybe I’m not so different from my father after all. I just needed love to understand hate.
“Lucas will find her,” Reece says quietly. “We should watch her anyhow.”
“Thank you.”
“Anything else?”
“No, Dimitri is getting me the name of the obstetrician his daughter uses. The loft is almost finished—furniture came last week. I’ll let Aurora pick the nursery…” I inhale deeply then exhale slowly. I still have to tell her she’s staying in New York. “And we’ll get it put together before the baby is born.”
Aurora lifts her head and wipes away her tears. “Well, I guess that ends my idea of personally connecting Bennett with Emily.”
A collective “Absolutely fucking not” echoes in the plane’s cabin.
My tone drops an octave. “We need to have a serious conversation, baby girl.”
Those whiskey-brown eyes flash with defiance. “What’s the point of having a conversation? You’re sending me to New York no matter what.”
“Your safety,” I retort, not denying her accusation. “Bennett is a wild card we can’t control, and Emily is a snake. As much as I’m trying to be patient and appreciate all you’re doing, I’d rather you didn’t.”
Her eyes narrow, her hand cradling her swollen belly. “I’m not a child.”
“No, you’re not.” I lean forward, elbows on my knees. “You’re the mother ofmychild and the heart of this family. There’s nouswithout you. Your safety is nonnegotiable. Befriending Bennett is one thing; making plans to meet up with Emily is completely different.” I rub my tired eyes with the heels of my palms. “This isn’t a game, Aurora. These people have proven they’ll do whatever it takes to harm us.”
“You think I don’t know that?” She cocks her head, her voice rising. “Again, I’m involved in this. They were aftermetoo.”
“That’s precisely why you’re going to New York,” I cut in, my tone brooking no room for argument. “The loft is secure, and you’ll have round-the-clock protection. The twins and Lucas plan to stay in the apartment below ours.No onewill mess with our family in New York.”
Her eyes, brimming with tears, hold mine, and the weight of her unspoken anguish crushes me—and pisses me the fuck off. She should be happy, dancing around the house, dressing up, buying tiny baby clothes, baking damn cupcakes if she wants…not holding back her emotions for our sake and making deals to protect us. Jesus, that’s my fucking job.
Except I haven’t been home, and Jackson is going through hell. Reece is injured, and then there’s Lucas. She’s carrying it all on her shoulders.
I undo my seat belt. “Come here.”
She doesn’t.
“Now,” I rumble low.
She huffs, unbuckling with deliberate slowness, and Jax snickers. When she stands, I drag her onto my lap and wrap her in my arms.
She tries to maintain her stubborn stiffness, but after a moment, she softens and lays her head on my shoulder. “I’m getting too big to sit on your lap.”
