We watched as another member of staff relieved the blackjack dealer of his position. The woman was cheerful and picked up exactly where he’d left off.
“When are we telling Ella?” I asked.
His eyes flicked up.“Soon.”
“When?”
He turned to face me.
“What do you think she’ll do when she finds out about the baby?”
“What can she do?” I muttered.
The longer we waited, the more uncomfortable it made me. I wanted to acknowledge our child. We were satisfied with a pregnancy she didn’t know existed.
“They’ll be asleep tonight. We can tell her on the weekend,” he finally said.
The tension in my shoulders eased. This was the right call. Ella’s reaction could become emotional or volatile. All of us had tested her in a multitude of ways, and she hadn’t cracked—but everyone had their breaking point.
“There is no way out for Ella. Ever,” Rowan said, turning toward the wooden handrail.
“I’d rather keep her happy for all her pregnancies,” I said, thinking of our long-term future.
Our children were the future.
I rubbed my chest. Our children wouldn’t suffer emotionally or physically. They would be protected from the cruelty of this world. Ella would make a strong mother.
We’d eliminate any external threat. Hustle was about to be added to the books. Eric was gone. Fatherhood was on the horizon.
I smiled as the security guard dragged the dealer off the floor.
???
From the moment I opened the bedroom door, I could smell her. Floral, clean, soft. Home.
Riding my bike meant Rowan lost the prime spot beside Ella on the bed, but that wasn’t my problem. I stripped quickly, tossing my clothes in the general direction of the couch before washing up.
The crack of light from the bathroom was enough to outline the figures on the bed. Alec’s head lifted.
“What’s with the light?”
“Rowan’s on his way,” I said, lifting the covers.
I slid in behind Ella, resting my palm on her belly and breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo.
“She feels like home,” I murmured, settling my head beside hers.
“Enjoy the sleep while you can,” Alec whispered—but the sadistic undertone suggested he’d enjoy the chaos.
I smiled as my chest pressed to her back, the soft curve of her arse fitting perfectly against me.
“I’m the youngest,” I added quietly.“I’ll have more stamina.”
“You’re only four years younger than me.”
“Four and a half.”
“Fuck you.”
