‘You weren’t going to tell me you were leaving?’ I ask.
‘I would have called you, kiddo.’ I can sense his shame, but it doesn’t ease the hurt. ‘I’m not your favourite man anymore.’ he adds on a smile. I’m not going to disagree. He’s not. He always was, even during my relationships with Matt and Adam, but not anymore. My favourite man is currently holding my tired body up and massaging my tummy with his comforting touch.
‘Take care,’ I force a smile, not wanting to contravene my mother’s instruction to never leave a loved one on a bad word.
‘Can I?’ he asks for Jesse’s permission with his arms open, stepping forward.
‘Sure,’ Jesse hand reluctantly leaves my stomach, but he still holds me until Dan has me in his embrace.
I don’t want to, but I do. I let a few tears escape and soak into Dan’s jacket as I return his tight clinch. ‘Please be careful,’ I beg.
‘Hey, I’ll be fine.’ He holds me at arm’s length. ‘I can’t believe your husband owns a sex club.’ I smile as he rids my cheeks of tears with his thumb and kisses my forehead. I feel guilty for not feeling more excited, but the truth is, I don’t need him anymore. And he knows it. ‘Look after her,’ Dan puts his hand out to Jesse, who takes it without even a snort of disgust at my brothers insulting demand. He just nods and reclaims me before Dan has fully released me.
‘You can tell them the money will land in their account before the week is out. You have the proof.’ Jesse’s fingers work through my hair softly as he speaks sharply. ‘And no trouble when you leave.’ he warns.
I know what that means, but I don’t know what the proof is. My washed-out mind is too exhausted to even ask, and I don’t care, anyway. I watch as Dan nods his acceptance and then strides out of Jesse’s office, not looking back.
Chapter 29
‘I want to show you something.’ Jesse says as he collects me from the car outside Lusso. ‘Do you want me to carry you?’ I don’t know why he’s asked me because I’m draped across his arms before the question registers in my useless brain.
‘What do you want to show me?’ I ask, resting my head on his suit covered shoulder. These are the first words I have spoken since watching Dan leave Jesse’s office, and not because I haven’t been spoken to. I couldn’t even muster up the strength to growl a warning at Sarah as we passed her in the entrance hall of The Manor. She smiled awkwardly, refrained from laying her wandering hands all over Jesse and stepped back, almost warily, like she was fully expecting a backlash from me. The surprise was clear when I ignored her presence, choosing to walk on and leave Jesse to talk business with her. And I know that’s all it was and all it ever will be. Business.
‘You’ll see.’ He strides into the foyer of Lusso, and I smile when I hear Clive’s cheerful voice. He’s not as easy on the eye as our new concierge, but I’ll always favour Clive’s age worn and jolly face, rather than Casey’s fresh, pretty one.
‘Congratulations!’ he chants. I’m not surprised. Either Jesse really has broadcasted it, or Cathy’s been getting excited. ‘Wonderful news!’ His voice is getting closer as I’m carted across the marble towards the elevator. ‘Let me get that for you, Mr Ward.’ He jumps in front of Jesse and pushes in the code for the penthouse lift.
‘Thanks, Clive.’ Jesse sounds just as cheerful, as if being reminded of his peanuts. He’s not pushed too much conversation on the journey back to the city, letting me quietly reflect on my recent revelation—the revelation that my brother is stupid and my husband is now two hundred grand lighter because of it.
‘Very good, Mr Ward, very good. You look after yourself, Ava.’ His instruction is stern, and I smile fondly as his crabby face disappears when the doors meet in the middle.
‘You let Clive call me Ava.’ I point out casually.
He looks down at me with raised, cautionary eyebrows. ‘Your point being?’
‘Just saying.’ I find the muscle power to curve my lips into grin, my husband’s possessiveness providing the amused strength necessary.
‘I’m ignoring you.’ He’s fighting his own grin as we exit the lift and he lets us into the penthouse, kicking the door shut behind me.
‘You won’t be able to carry me soon.’ I grumble, holding on extra tight. I’ll miss it so much, but when I’m bursting at the seams and double the size, I can’t envisage being carried with such ease, like I’m just an extension of his own body.
‘Don’t worry, lady.’ He kisses my forehead and turns to push his back into his office door. ‘I’ve ready increased the weights I’m lifting in preparation.’
I gasp and reach up to pull his hair. ‘Hey!’ I’m placed on my feet, but I still have hold of his hair.
‘You’re a savage, lady.’ He laughs, his head lowered to prevent the pull. ‘Are you going to let go?’
‘Say sorry.’
‘Sorry.’ He’s still laughing. ‘I’m sorry. Let go.’
It’s ludicrous. He could stop me in a heartbeat, but he’s letting me have the power. For now, anyway. I release him and kick my shoes off. ‘My feet hurt.’ I complain, wriggling my toes. ‘Why are we in your office?’
‘I wanted to show you something.’
‘A picture of Jake?’ I ask hopefully, probably too eagerly as well. I really want to see what Jesse’s twin looked like.