Page 159 of This Woman Forever

I need to call John.

Ava’s breathing is low and level, the kind of breathing she has when she’s deep in sleep. I ease her away and edge off the bed, taking myself downstairs to get some water and have a few dips before I call John and start getting down to the not-so pleasant business of finding out who stole my fucking car and used it to attack my pregnant wife.

I’m mid-dip when the there’s a knock at the front door, and I lift my head, my finger hanging out of my mouth. Who the fuck is that at this time of day? I get up and open the door to Sam. “My man, what the hell happened?” he asks, letting himself in.

Drew appears, looking me up and down. “You’re naked.”

“It’s my home, I can be whatever the fuck I want to be.” I frown at their backs as they go into the kitchen. “For fuck’s sake,” I mutter, closing the door and following. They’re both at the island with a glass of water each when I arrive. “What?” I ask, looking between them, both sitting comfortably.

“What?” Sam asks in disbelief. “Where do you want me to start?”

“You spoke to John?” I ask, joining them.

“What the fuck?” Drew breathes. “Any ideas who it was?”

I raise a brow as I dip, and Drew shakes his head.

“You think Van Der Haus is a car thief?”

“I don’t know, Drew,” I admit, dropping my jar. “Maybe not him personally.”

“So he paid someone to steal your car?” Sam chimes in.

“I don’t know,” I grate.

“Is Ava okay?”

“Yeah, she’s fine. A little shaken.” Wait. How much did John tell them? “Is that it?” I ask.

“What?” Both look at each other on a frown.

“Did John mention anything else?”

“Like what?”

“Like the fact Ava’s expecting twins?” Stupid me, I say that just as Sam’s taking a slurp of water. His cheeks balloon, and he sprays it far and wide. I don’t mind, I’m naked, but Drew? He looks pristine, ready to make a trip to The Manor, I guess.

He dives up from his stool, arms held out at his sides, and looks down his front. “This is fucking cashmere, Sam, you prick!”

“Twins?” Sam squeaks, wiping his chin, eyes wide.

“Wait, twins?” Drew forgets his wardrobe drama and points piercing blue eyes full of shock my way. “Ava’s pregnant with twins?”

I nod.

“Fuck,” they breathe in unison.

I nod again.

“And...”

“I’ve told her about Jake,” I tell them. “She knows about Jake.” The absence of Rosie and Lauren from this conversation is screaming. “And that is that,” I say, standing. “And you two girls are going to fuck off and leave me in peace.” I go to them, hooking an arm around each of their elbows, trying to hoof them up off their stools.

Sam comes with ease.

Drew dives out of my way, looking down at my dick. “Don’t ever try to manhandle me when you’re naked ever again.”

“Oh, you only like Sam touching you when you’re naked, huh?”

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