Page 75 of Triple Power Play 3
33
JACKSON
I set a giant bowl of spaghetti and meatballs onto the center of the table, along with warm Asiago bread. “If they don’t come out here in five seconds to eat this dinner I made?—”
“Don’t even fucking start.” Ethan chuckles, his attention on his phone. “Leave ‘em alone.”
I slump into the dining chair next to him, one of those tall, ladder-back styles that match the weathered farmhouse table. I didn’t think the rustic aesthetic would pair well with the black countertops, but the bronze accents and wooden beams pull it all together perfectly. Plus, it was on Aurora’s Pinterest, so…
“And why would I do that? How are you so calm? Oh, that’s right: you’ve been pitching him since New York.”
“Yup, because I need him.Weneed him. If I can deal with you, you can deal with him.”
I stand, pushing back the chair, my hands flat on the table. I’m restless, torn in a hundred different directions.
Ethan drops his phone and grabs my shirt for the hundredth time today. “I’m joking. Relax.”
He’s tactile—always has been, especially with Aurora, and that seems to be passing on to me. Not that I’m complaining; it helps ease my agitation.
“I need eyes on her. I’m installing cameras in his room.”
“Do you trust me?” He ignores my last sentiment, so he must agree.
Cameras in Reece’s room would’ve prevented today’s disaster—or not. Maybe I would’ve strangled him. Perhaps it’s better I don’t know what they’re doing.
Straightening, I lean against Ethan’s chair. “Of course I do.”
“Then trust me on this, okay? Imagine what we can achieve with the three of us. Imagine having someone else to protect our family, someone who’ll always be with her and the baby.”
“Did he say he’d quit his job?”
A knowing glint appears in Ethan’s eyes. “Not yet. He’s in a position to protect you.”
Irrational fear erupts in my stomach like a swarm of angry bees. “Fuck that. You know who else was in a position to protect me?”
That piercing gaze narrows. “Do I need to worry about you, more than normal? Do you need to see someone? I’d never let anyone hurt you or Aurora. I mean it, Jax. I’ll do whatever it takes, and if that means having Reece here, then so be it.”
I sit, drop my head into my hands, and rub my eyes. “How can you be so positive about everything?”
His hand clasps the back of my neck and massages the tight muscles. “You’re gonna give yourself a headache. I planned to spend my life alone, and although that sounds appealing,” his voice carries a smile, probably picturing peaceful days and quiet nights, “I can’t imagine returning to the silence. I have Aurora and you, and we’ll have a baby soon. We have this house and a family in New York. We possess the power to do anything we choose. You taught me that.” His fingers move into my hair. “Tellme what you need to get through this. We have our entire future ahead of us.”
What do I need? Ultimately, our family’s safety. I want to say I can manage myself, but the more I’m around Ethan, the more I realize I’ve been spiraling since my rookie year, and I was out of control as a teenager before then.
He and Aurora are my only refuge. Without them, I’d go out in a blaze of glory, killing all these motherfuckers who haunt me.
He continues to caress me, his soothing touch battling the war waging within. “You wanna return to New York?”
Before I’m able to answer him, footsteps echo in the hall. When I lift my head, all I see is Reece’s smile. My gaze connects with Ethan’s. “Can I please murder him?”
“No. We need him to protect Aurora and the baby—and the next baby you want so badly.”
“Manipulative much?” I mumble as they take their seats across from us.
“Dinner smells amazing.” Aurora sets the napkin on her lap. “What are you two whispering about?”
Reece follows suit, that smug smile never leaving his ugly mug.
Nope, I can’t do this. “How fucking awkward this is.”
