Page 91 of Loved By You

“Now, Alex,” Jack grits, “we can be gentlemen about this, or I won’t hesitate to make you cry for your mommy and regret the day you were born. I’ve had the training to do so, it’s up to you, but if I ever see you touch my girl or speak to the mother of yourchildren like that again, you won’t be given the choice. Do I make myself clear?”

“Fuck you, you prick. You can't tell me what to do with my wife or my girls. I’m their dad, so you can get fucked. This is between me and her,” Alex mumbles against the wall.

“Maybe I’m not making myself clear. Ria is no longer your wife, and you may be the girls' father according to DNA, but you are a pathetic excuse for a dad. Where were you when Elle got sick? Where were you when Lexi started Pre-K? Where were you when Elle took her first steps? All those times Ria called you and you did nothing, no word, no answer, so don’t you dare play the dad card because you also lost that privilege.”

I watch as Alex struggles under Jack's hold, but Jack is barely breaking a sweat.

“I know you must be kicking yourself daily because losing a woman who is as beautiful and amazing as Ria must be a killer, but luckily for me, I plan to never find out because I will treat her with the respect she deserves. So, hear me when I say I will spend the rest of my days proving to her how a man should treat a woman. Now, I’ll ask you again, are you going to walk away and leave Ria the hell alone or am I going to have to remove you myself and make you regret it.”

“I’ll leave,” Alex spits.

“Good choice,” Jack says, releasing him with a shove. Alex staggers, keeping himself upright. He walks past me, but before he leaves for the stairwell, he looks at me with cold eyes, causing a shudder to run through me.

“This isn't over. You'll be hearing from me.” He disappears, and I let out a breath. My heart beats so fast I fear it's going to burst through my chest.

Jack doesn't say a word. Just takes my hand and pulls me into our suite. The door closes behind us and I feel the adrenaline rush hit me and I begin to shake.

Jack is on me, his muscular arms enveloping me, making me feel safe.

“Fuck, I wanted to kill that prick for touching you again. Are you okay, sweetheart?” I lean away from his embrace and stare up into his beautiful blue eyes and run my hands across his five o'clock shadow and smile.

“I’m fine,” and I mean it. Because in Jack's arms, how could I not?

Chapter Forty-One

Jack

I feel like I have won the life lottery, waking up with Ria laid across my chest in this incredible suite, looking out the large windows, watching the snow fall over New York. We spent the morning dressed in white robes, eating room service brought to the room by the suite’s butler. Every pastry, fruit and type of pancake was delivered along with some freshly brewed coffee and squeezed juices.

“Oh my God, can this just be life every day, please?” Ria moaned, taking another bite of her warm croissant.

“It can be for another couple of days if you like.”

She stops mid-bite and stares at me. “What do you mean?”

“You and me are spending some time together. I’m taking you away and before you ask, I’ve got the girls taken care of.”

“By who?” Concern is etched in her voice.

“Harry and Brad. They are diaper changing ninjas now. They can handle it,” I say, taking a sip of coffee.

She drops the pastry to her plate, flakes falling to the table. She wipes her mouth with her napkin and swallows. “Dear God, please tell me you are joking. I love them, but Lexi will run rings around them. I’m not worried about Lexi and Elle. It's Brad and Harry I’m worried about.”

I laugh, not able to keep this going any longer. “Don't worry, Ali and Gabby have it covered. They feel that you deserve a few nights off work and mom duties and I happen to agree, and selfishly, I want you all to myself for a couple of days.” I reach for her hand and stroke my thumb over the back of her knuckles.

“I'd love that.” She beams looking up at me.

“And then when we are back, I promised Lexi I’d do something fun with her so I figured we could go ice skating at Rockefeller Center, and I know Elle is too little for that so I’ll take her to one of those indoor parks with all the slides and balls. Harry weirdly knows a good one. I didn't ask how.” I stop my ramble as I notice tears well in Ria’s eyes and I reach for her face and wipe the lone tear that falls from her cheek.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she sniffs. “I’m just happy.”

“Eat up because we have a little road trip ahead of us.” I press a kiss to her forehead as I rise from my seat. “And if you wanna know how marble tiles feel against your back, then I suggest you take a shower with me, sweetheart,” I say, heading towards the bathroom door. Before I reach it, Ria jumps on my back.

“Hell, yeah I do.”

We get dressed and leave our suite and head for the elevator.

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