Page 59 of Trust

“Mother is coming. You know she couldn’t fly commercial. I could, but I promised her I would stay with you until she arrived.”

For a second, she looked irritated, then…relieved. When he talked to Nic, she told him Jules would want her mother there. As usual, Nic was right.

“I’m going to let you get some rest.” He stood and kissed her forehead. “Take it easy, Jules. You and that little one are more important than any work.”

“Love you.”

“Love you.”

“I’ll see you out,” Alek said, giving Jules a pat on the hand. Once they were in the hallway and the door closed, Alek blew out a sigh of relief. “Thanks for coming. She insisted on going home, and I would rather she stay here, as her doctor said. And for getting your mom ready because that is one thing I knew she needed, but she didn’t want to bother your mother.”

They both shook their heads. They were a close family, and there was no way that his mother wouldn’t hop on a plane.

“I didn’t tell her that the entire family is coming over. I thought she would freak out a little.”

“Everyone?”

He nodded. “When there’s an important event like this, we like to gather.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed.”

“Where is my grandson!” A voice bellowed down the hall.

“Damn, I should have called him later.”

A tall Hawaiian turned the corner the next instant, and his gaze zeroed in on Alek.

“Aleka,” he said.

Alek’s grandfather looked so much like him. His hair was salt and pepper and longer than Alek’s. His brother-in-law tended to keep his shorter. All those years in the military probably made it hard to want longer hair. But the eyes…those were the same shape and color.

“Tutu, everything is fine. False labor.”

“Then why is she still here?”

“Her blood pressure is too high. They want to keep an eye on her.”

“You should let her rest. Why are you not treating her better?”

Jakob chuckled, which earned a frown from Alek’s grandfather. “Sorry, but you and I know he would do anything for my sister. She’s hardheaded.”

His expression lightened slightly. “True. It’s one of the things I like best about her.”

“Go on in. She will be happy to see you. I need to give Jake the security codes for the house.”

“Got it. Good to see you, Jake.”

“Tutu!” Jules exclaimed. Once the door shut behind his grandfather, Alek sighed again.

“I figured it would be better to have him here to fight her. I can to a point, but they are both hardheaded and, well, he’ll guilt her.”

Jakob nodded.

He gave Jakob the codes. “It’s the day I met your sister for the first time.”

“Who would have thought such a tough Army Ranger would go all soft and romantic.”

“I think you’re about to find out. Mark my words. Once you realize how important a woman is to you, you will burn down the whole world if it means keeping her safe.”

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