“Tell me you missed me,” Dash said, laughing.
“Go away. Say hello to your mother,” Linc muttered.
Ignoring the stares all the women shot his way, Dash made his way across the room and hugged first their mom and then Aurora and Jordan before turning his attention to the baby.
Family, Linc thought. His meant everything to him.
* * *
Jordan sat next to Linc at a table with Xander, Dash, Chloe, Melly, and Aurora, the family closing ranks and making a statement for their new sister and her baby. Also joining them were Braden Prescott and Willow James, who’d remained close with Aurora. The couple had gotten engaged at the last dinner they’d all enjoyed together in Miami and were clearly happy now.
Aurora had been brought to tears more than once during the lavish day, and Melly had introduced the young girl to all of her friends, who’d fawned over the baby and brought very expensive gifts.
Jordan had been on the receiving end of various looks, mostly from Chloe’s friends. The women in Melly’s age bracket tended to ignore her, but the women closer to her own age? They’d either scanned her from head to toe, cataloging her clothing and appearance, turning up their noses and glancing away, or shot her annoyed glances.
Jordan had no doubt they resented her position next to Linc. She’d overheard more than one group of women discussing his lack of a girlfriend and potential availability, despite Jordan sitting beside him, his hand occasionally brushing her shoulder or twirling her hair. Even when she’d tried to inch her chair away.
Aurora had raised an eyebrow at what she’d seen and grinned widely. Melly had been too busy to notice, but Jordan’s stomach had been in knots worrying about upsetting his mother on such a special day. Who knew how she would react? She was fine with Jordan being a friend of the family, but she couldn’t imagine Melly would approve of the maid’s daughter being involved with her oldest son.
Despite her nerves, Jordan had enjoyed Aurora’s baby shower, probably more than her brothers had, considering all the baby games Chloe had arranged for everyone to play. Traditionally men were not invited to a shower, but with this also being Aurora’s introduction to their friends, Chloe hadn’t adhered to custom.
When she’d handed out baby pins and made everyone pin one on their shirt, including the men, Jordan nearly choked at the look on Linc’s face. Chloe had then instructed everyone not to say the word baby. If anyone heard another person utter the word, they could take that person’s pin. The person with the most pins won a prize.
Jordan had to admit it was endearing watching the Kingston brothers endure games from Don’t Say Baby to Dirty Diapers, in which a variety of candy bars were placed in newborn-sized diapers and people had to guess what kind of candy they were eating. Even Jordan had nearly gagged at the idea, shocking herself at how nauseous she’d become.
By the time food was served and Faith Dare’s cake pops brought out to each table, Jordan was exhausted. For a woman who worked eight- to ten-hour days, she was surprised a party had wiped her out so badly. She also needed to use the ladies’ room.
Glancing at Linc, she said, “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
He nodded, standing as she did and pulling out her chair. Such a gentleman, she mused.
As she rose, Aurora stood up as well. “I’ll go with you,” she said and turned to Willow. “Will you watch Leah?” The baby had been sleeping quietly in her car seat in the chair next to Aurora.
“Of course.” Willow smiled and put a hand on the back of the chair where the baby slept.
Jordan followed Aurora out of the room, then pointed her in the direction of the ladies’ room. She passed the main dining room, where normal lunch activities were going on, and the loud chatter sounded as they walked by.
Once inside, she and Aurora closed themselves in their own stalls. Jordan was quick, then washed her hands before heading to the outer sitting area. She placed her bag on a shelf below a wall-to-wall mirror and pulled out her lip gloss.
Glancing in the mirror, she was shocked by how pale she appeared. She didn’t have blush with her, so she had no way to put life back in her cheeks. With a sigh, she opened the gloss stick and applied it to her lips, as the sound of women’s voices and laughter alerted her to incoming women.
They entered, continuing to talk to one another, and Jordan grasped her purse and stepped aside to wait for Aurora.
“Jordan?”
She turned at the sound of her name and forced herself not to visibly cringe. “Angelica. Hi.”
“I take it you’re here for Linc’s new sister’s baby shower. My mother is there, too.” Her fake smile grated on Jordan’s nerves.
“Yes, I saw your mother.” Carol Winston was a good friend of Melly’s. They all ran in the same social circles.
Angelica’s friends disappeared into the other room, and Aurora had walked in, standing behind Jordan.
Jordan had no intention of introducing them. “Well, it was nice to see you, but I need to get back inside.” Jordan turned toward Aurora, but Angelica tapped her shoulder and Jordan spun back around. “Yes?”
“Since we’re both here, I thought I’d give you some advice. You know, woman to woman?” Angelica said, fake kindness oozing from her voice as she twirled a long strand of her black hair around a finger.
Oh, this ought to be good, Jordan thought. “Aurora, why don’t you go ahead, and I’ll meet you back inside.”
“That’s okay. I’ll wait.” She stepped up to Jordan’s side.
Angelica looked at her but didn’t spare her a thought, her gaze zeroing in on Jordan. “You’re not his type. You know that, right?”
“Whose type?” Jordan opted for playing dumb. Let this bitch spell it out for her.
“Linc. Everyone knows you want him. It’s been obvious since you were a kid and your mother was cleaning his house. I looked into the party room and saw his hand on your shoulder, touching your hair. When no one was looking, of course.”
Jordan kept her face blank and let Angelica spew her venom.
Her face had contorted into an ugly expression, revealing who she really was inside. “But let’s face it. If he’s sleeping with you, it’s temporary. You don’t belong in his life. You can’t fit in like I can. And as soon as he realizes that, he’ll come back to me.”
Jordan’s cheeks burned, but she otherwise refused to let Angelica see she’d hit a nerve. “Are you really sure? Because according to Linc, he was never with you in any way that mattered.” Turning, she looked at Aurora. “Let’s go.”
Aurora shook her head. “One minute.” She walked over to Angelica, who’d begun to reapply her lipstick. “I haven’t known my brother long, but I know he’s a good man. And he would never be with someone who has a soul as ugly as you do.” She glanced at Jordan. “Now I’m ready.”
Together they walked out of the ladies’ room. Jordan’s insides were trembling. She didn’t like confrontation, but she wouldn’t let anyone treat her like shit. Even if the things Angelica said were the same words her mother had tried to teach her. Words she was being force-fed from all sides, it seemed. Even from herself.
“You didn’t have to stand up for me, but I appreciate that you did,” Jordan said.
“I grew up in foster care. I learned how to stand up for myself and the few people I cared about.” Aurora met her gaze. “You know she’s wrong. You and Linc are perfect for each other.”
Jordan grasped her hand. “I know you care and I am so grateful. I care about you, too. As far as Angelica, she might have been hateful when she said it, but she wasn’t far off base. These people look at me and see the maid’s daughter.”
“But Linc doesn’t see that! And if you don’t fit in with them, then I don’t either,” Aurora said, her tone adamant.
Jordan smiled at the young woman who was special in her own right. “Yes, you do belong. You’re part of their family and don’t you ever forget it.” She squeezed Aurora’s hand tight and released her grasp. �
��Come on. Let’s get back before people wonder what happened to us.”
They returned to the party to find Willow holding the baby, who needed to be fed. Aurora hurried to her daughter, and Jordan sat back down beside Linc, feeling numb after the confrontation she hadn’t asked for or wanted.
In what day and age did people talk about class as if where you came from mattered? She didn’t understand it, and she resented everyone in this room who tried to make her feel less than. Her parents had worked hard to give her a good life, and Jordan wasn’t the least bit ashamed of their jobs or who they were. In their hearts, they were better people than anyone who’d looked down on her today.
“Are you okay? You look pale.” Linc caressed her cheek, and she did her best not to lean into his touch the way she wanted to.
She nodded. “I haven’t been feeling great the last couple of days. I think I’m just tired.”
Concern etched his handsome features. “Why don’t you take some time off. A few days until you’re one hundred percent.”
“Thank you but I’m sure I’m fine.”
“Well, if you wake up and you don’t feel great, stay home.”
She nodded.
Aurora returned after feeding the baby and walked over to Jordan and Linc’s side of the table. “Did Jordan tell you about the bitch in the bathroom?”
Jordan flinched. She should have told Aurora not to say anything, but it hadn’t even occurred to her.
Linc’s eyes narrowed. “What is she talking about? What happened?”
Aurora, who was holding Leah against her shoulder and patting the baby’s back, looked from Linc to Jordan, understanding filling her gaze. “Oops! I need to go sit down. It’s easier to burp her when I’m sitting,” she rattled, then turned and walked back to her chair.
“Jordan?”
“It was no big deal. Just a run-in with Angelica. Nothing I can’t handle.” She’d thought that was true, but then why was she trembling inside? Why was a lump forming in her throat? And why was she nauseous again?
“Dammit. What did she say to you?” He looked furious, his eyes turning a deep blue, color highlighting his cheekbones.
She forced in a breath of air. “Listen, there are things women say to each other when they’re…” She trailed off. There wasn’t anything she could come up with to placate him. “It doesn’t matter. I handled it.”
His body vibrated with anger. “But you shouldn’t have to handle her at all.”
“I’m wiped out. I’m going to call a car to take me home. You stay with your family for the end of the party. Okay?” Her fingers shook as she picked up her purse and searched for her phone.
He put a hand on her trembling one. “I can leave. It’s practically over anyway. At least those horrific games are.”
That made her laugh. “I don’t want to take you away from the party or your family.”
“My decision. Let’s say our goodbyes. Everyone will understand.”
Because she knew she couldn’t win, she gave in. They made their rounds of thank-yous and goodbyes. Aurora promised to text pictures of the presents she hadn’t yet opened and share them later.
And though, when they reached her apartment, Linc wanted to come upstairs and make sure she was okay, she insisted she wanted to fall into bed and go to sleep. Despite his concern, he gave in.
But he didn’t look happy about it.
* * *
Back in his apartment after the party, Linc poured himself a glass of Macallan 18 and settled into a chair in the living room, kicking his feet up on the leather ottoman in front of him. He lifted his glass, studying the amber-colored liquid. Today had been … interesting. A baby shower wasn’t an event he’d like to repeat, but watching Aurora’s face as she took in the room, the stack of presents, and the number of people who’d come was worth sitting through the torture.
He didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life, but it was way too soon to ask or pressure her in any way. The conversation would come in time.
His thoughts turned to Jordan and today’s mess, courtesy of Angelica. It wasn’t like Chloe hadn’t warned him about the women at the club and in their family’s world, but it had been hard for him to comprehend. Until Jordan had been exposed to Angelica’s venom firsthand. Linc had no idea what his ex had said, but Jordan had obviously been shaken, and Aurora hadn’t liked it either. He wanted to know but Jordan wouldn’t talk. Hell, she hadn’t even wanted him around. Giving her space seemed like a good idea, but if she didn’t eventually tell him, he wasn’t above asking Aurora for details.
With that settled, he turned his thoughts to the business. Despite how much the company was currently leveraged, Linc had borrowed the money to pay Beck from a trusted lender. Next week, Linc would meet with the man to hand him a check and have the satisfaction of seeing his face when Linc informed him he wouldn’t get his hands on any part of Kingston Enterprises. Linc would have no choice but to be a partner in this deal, but he’d keep Beck away from the family business.
Based on his calculations, Linc could fix things over the next five years, and he took solace in knowing he had a plan. His father’s surprise investments kept coming to light, but he thought they’d uncovered them all now. Linc would set things right. But he still needed to find Wallace and find out exactly how his father had gotten them into this situation and why. His dementia was only part of the story, of that Linc was certain.
His phone buzzed, and he pulled his cell from his pocket to see Dash had texted. “We’re downstairs and coming up.”
We obviously meant Dash and Xander. And because they were on the permanent list downstairs, Linc was lucky they’d given him warning before descending on him and his well-stocked bar.
He rose from his seat and pulled out extra glasses from the cabinet above the counter in the corner of the living room before heading to the door. He opened it just as Dash and Xander exited the elevator.
They strode past him with muttered hellos and entered, heading straight to the bar.
“Make yourselves at home,” he said, shutting the door, as they took their bottle of choice and poured themselves a drink.
“Jesus, I need one after the day we endured.” Xander slugged back the contents of his glass, and Dash did the same, adding more before settling on the sofa.
Linc refilled his glass and joined them, sitting back in the chair.
“Who the hell came up with the idea of filling diapers with candies that look like shit?” Dash leaned an elbow on the arm of the couch.
Linc shook his head. “Beats me. But Aurora enjoyed it and I’m glad it’s over.”
His brothers nodded in agreement.
“How are you both doing with Aurora?” Linc asked, wondering if they were getting close with her.
“She’s a good kid,” Dash said. “But I haven’t had much time to get to know her. I’m hoping when I get out of the studio before any touring we’ll get together.”
Xander nodded. “I’ve been to the house a few times and we’re getting to know each other. I really like her. Life dealt her a shitty hand but she’s not bitter. And she’s not money hungry despite having access. She impresses me.”
Linc leaned back in his seat, comfortable and chilled now that his brothers were here. “How are the songs coming?”
“Depends on the day.” Dash shrugged. “It’ll come together. It always does.”
Linc was so proud of his brothers. Despite their father’s lack of interest, they’d both grown up to pursue their dreams. In Xander’s case, writing had come after the military, a time Xander didn’t like to talk about.
“So what about you? You mentioned you’re gearing up for your next movie?” Linc asked him, then lifted his glass and took a sip.
“They’re going through casting now. It’s been hard to find the right fit for the part of the wife. They’ve been screen-testing a shit ton of actresses, but I have faith my producer and director will come through with the perfect woman.” Xander sounded cer
tain, so Linc doubted there’d be problems.
“And meanwhile you’re writing your next novel?” Dash asked. “Ever consider a rock star as the hero?” He grinned and tossed back the last of his drink.
Xander raised an eyebrow. “No way. My guy is loyal and doesn’t fuck his way through every woman he meets. Unlike the rock stars I know.”
Dash smirked and let out a laugh. “It’s a good life if you can get it. Okay, enough about us. What’s going on with you?” He zeroed in on Linc with his penetrating stare.
Knowing he couldn’t avoid this forever, he filled his brothers in on what their father had been up to prior to his death and the way he’d handled things.
“Jesus. I’m sorry. If there’s anything I can do, let me know.” Xander frowned. “I’m shocked he’d make decisions that could hurt the business knowing he had dementia,” Xander said.
Linc drew in a long breath. “Well, we do know he never wanted to face his diagnosis. And if he thought he was making good choices, he wasn’t worrying about his diminished mental capacity.”
“What does Wallace have to do with it? He’s supposed to be Dad’s good friend.” Dash rose from his seat. “Anyone want another?”
Linc and Xander shook their heads, and Dash headed to pour himself more then returned and sat back down on the couch.
“According to his doctor, who I’ve spoken to, Dad’s behavior isn’t surprising. As for Wallace, I have a PI tracking him down. I want answers.”
His brothers nodded in agreement. They spent the next hour talking, reminiscing, and having a good time, something they didn’t get to do together often enough. Everyone’s schedules kept them busy.
“So I have a question.” Dash looked directly at Linc. “I noticed not only did you show up with Jordan but you had your hands all over her. So to speak. What is up with you two?”
“Now I do need a drink.” Linc stood, walked to the bar, and poured himself another scotch before turning back to his brothers. “We slept together. A couple of times.”
“I knew it.” Xander’s tone was the equivalent of a pat on the back. “You finally gave in.”
“Yeah. I finally gave in. And so did she.”
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