Page 214 of This Woman Forever

I cough on nothing. Is he for real? He’s already put them at risk, just by coming home. Dan looks at me, awkward. Yes, be ashamed. “These people are dangerous, Ava.”

I work my hand into Ava’s back, trying to loosen the tightness. It works, and she looks up at me. I fucking hate the despair and disappointment I see. “You can’t just deposit that kind of money into a bank account,” she says quietly, as if she doesn’t want her brother to hear her concern for me. “Isn’t it laundering? I don’t want you involved, Jesse.”

“Do you honestly think I’d do anything to put you and my babies at risk? I’m transferring enough money into Dan’s account to get him back to Australia.” And a little extra to keep him there. “I have the details of an offshore account where I’ll transfer the two hundred.” I’m not breaking this down for her. I’m not telling her I’m giving him more than he owes to keep him away from us. “They won’t know where the money has come from, baby. I wouldn’t do it otherwise.”

“Really?” she asks, uncertain.

“Really. There are ways. Trust me.”

“Okay.” She accepts my kiss, relaxing for the first time since she stormed my office. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me.”

“Have you thanked my husband?” she asks Dan, hostile.

“Of course. I never asked, Ava.” How many times is he going to say that? Like it might save him from disgrace if he believes his family thinks he didn’t ask me to get him out of the shit. “Your husband’s been doing some digging.” And then he throws me under the bus?

“Has he?” Ava asks, looking at me. “Have you?”

“I know a man in the shit, Ava,” I say, insulted. If he fires one more bullet, I’m out. He can go it alone.

“Oh.” She looks knackered all of a sudden. I’m with her. “Can we go home?”

“I’m sorry. I’ve neglected you.” I glare at Dan as I get Ava up, making sure he knows I hold him responsible.

“I’m fine, just tired.” She goes to her brother and gives him a hug he doesn’t deserve. “When are you leaving?”

“Tonight. They’ll be on their way over if I’m not back by Thursday,” he says, rising from his chair. “So I guess this is goodbye for a while.”

“You weren’t going to tell me you were leaving?”

“I would have called you, kiddo.” Dan looks at me, his expression impassive. “I’m not your favorite man anymore.”

Damn right you’re not.

“Now, fuck off,” I breathe to myself, moving in and collecting Ava.

“Take care,” she says.

“Can I?” Dan points to my arms around Ava’s belly, locking her to my body.

No. “Sure.” I hand her over with great reluctance and let them have their moment.

“Look after her,” Dan says, his eyes on me as he presses his lips to Ava’s forehead. And he still plays the fucking game.

I take my wife back, confirm I’ll send the payment, and warn him not to kick off when he leaves.

And he goes, his walk as cocky as I know him to be, even now. I hold on to Ava for a few more minutes, let her have a moment, before coaxing her around in my arms. “Ready to go home?” I ask, brushing her hair back from her face with both hands and holding her cheeks as I kiss her nose.

“Yeah,” she says quietly, deflated. I hope I can improve her mood when I show her my surprise. It’s been a bad day for both of us, and there’s only one cure.

The bubble.

Or Ava Cloud Nine.

“Come.” I take her hand, collect her bag, and walk us out. John gives me the nod as I pass, and Sarah looks up from her gin at the bar. “I need a word with Sarah,” I say to Ava.

“I’ll wait in the car.”

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