“Oh.”
“I’ll talk to them about giving us our space.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I think they’re great kids, it’s just…”
“I know, five’s a crowd.” She lies down and we look at each other over three snoring little men. She sighs. “I can’t sleep.”
“Me either.”
She gets out of bed and tosses me my boxers. “Shower?”
“Love to.”
She walks to the bathroom; I follow a minute later.
When I step into the shower, she’s washing her hair. I was looking forward to some shower play; my odds don’t look promising.
I turn on the other showerhead and step under the flow. “Are you okay?”
Suds run down her back as she rinses her long hair. She turns as she wrings the water out. “A little tired… but good.” She kisses me softly on the lips, then exits.
When I get out, she’s drying her hair. She points to my shaving kit. She’s not a big fan of a full beard and honestly, neither am I.
“I’m good with a goatee, if you don’t want to shave it all off.”
I step up to the mirror, running my hand down my wet beard. “The season is over, it comes off.”
She finishes drying her hair, pulling it into a pony. She flips a pink pony-holder at me as she walks on by.
I catch it. “Getting a little old, angel.”
She laughs. “Never. Casual dress,” she says, and pinches my ass before making her way into the dressing room.
I shave and join her. “Boys leave?”
She pokes her head out from the closet, looking toward the bed. “Yeah. Mary must have gotten them up. Lester made cinnamon rolls.”
I nod. She’s told me about these famous rolls, and the man who makes them.
She ties her runners and looks up at me. “Logan?”
I pull up my Levis. “What do you need, angel?”
“I need to tell you something.”
I swallow, hard. “Okay,” I say, as I button my shirt.
“I told you it would be just Lex, Jax, and the boys this week.”
I nod.
“Well… Gram and Stewart arrived earlier.”
“The Lioness is… here.”
She frowns. “You googled her?”
“Of course I did.” I grab my shoes and sit next to her. “So… is any of it true?”
She sighs. “I wasn’t going to tell you, but now that she’s here… Gram’s not very happy about us. She’s going to tear you to shreds. Then eat you up.”
“Fuck.”
She giggles. “You look as if you’re two seconds from ralphing. I’m just messing with you. The shredding anyway, the eating you up… well, I can’t promise you that won’t happen.”
She stands and holds out her hand. I reluctantly take it.
We make our way down to the first level of the… palace. Sam proudly shows me around Grant Estate, New York. It’s grand for sure, but in all its grandeur, it’s truly a home, a home filled with family and love. A place where there’s been great tragedy and healing.
After the tour, Sam takes my hand and leads me into the sunroom. This is where brunch has been set up.
“Good morning, all,” Sam tells everyone.
Alexia and her boys are sitting around a large glass breakfast table. She turns and gifts me a devastating smile. She’s breathtaking, even when very, very pregnant. Triplets!
She begins to rise in greeting.
“Don’t even think about it,” Jaxson Ryan scolds, walking toward us. He hands his wife a glass of OJ.
“Thanks, dear,” she says.
The Lioness isn’t the only one I googled. I googled Jaxson Ryan, as well. If the Lioness doesn’t eat all of me, he might eat the leftovers.
He looks at Sam; pulling her into his arms, he kisses her on the cheek. He steps away, smiling. “You’re just in time. There’s still food.”
“Not funny,” Lex tells him.
The boys laugh.
“Still. Food,” Gray says, his blankie burka style.
Jaxson holds out his hand. “Jaxson Ryan.”
I shake it. “Logan Romano.”
“Welcome.” He leans into me and whispers in my ear, “You and me, Romeo. In my office, after brunch.”
He steps away slapping me on the back.
I nod, not knowing what the hell to say.
“Leave him alone, Ryan,” Lex tells him. “Don’t let him yank your chain, Logan.”
“Dad. Wan. Ker,” Gray says.
Jaxson sits next to his wife. “See what you’ve started.”
She rolls her eyes at him.
Sam and I fill our plates and sit across from them.
Alexia holds out her hand. “It’s so good to finally meet you. I’d get up and give you a hug, but I’m not allowed.”
I take her hand. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you, Alexia.”
She smiles and looks at Sam. They communicate something without words that makes them both blush.
“So, Logan,” Alexia says. “What do you think about Grant House, New York?”
I set down my mimosa. “It reminds me of Italy. Tuscany maybe, on a grand scale.”
She smiles. “That’s what Sam had in mind when she designed it.”
I take a bite out of my cinnamon roll and moan.
“Best cinnamon rolls ever, right?” Jaxson says.
I nod, not wanting to talk with my mouth full.
Alexia looks at Sam. “What are your plans for today?”
“I was going to show Logan around the grounds, then drive over and show him the property.”
Property?
Lex finishes her juice. Putting her glass down, she sighs. “Marco called. He wants me to drop by and I was hoping you could come along.”
Jaxson growls. I mean literally growls. “Why can’t the gaywad come here? I won’t have you on your feet all day, babe. I won’t have it.”
“Gay. Wad,” Gray says.
Alexia frowns. “I’m not going to be on my feet all day. He just needs a little help with Jules.”
Jaxson frowns. “I wish you’d tell me what’s going on with her.”
“I will. When the time’s right.”
He frowns. “Babe.”
“Jax, you’ll understand soon.”
“Where’s Gram and Stewart?” Sam asks, changing the subject.
Alexia smiles. “They should be down any minute.”
“More. Roll. Dad,” Gray says, holding out his hand.
Jaxson hands him one from his plate.
“Thank. You. Dad,” he says.
Alexia pushes her plate away and rubs her tummy.
“What’s going on, babe? You’ve hardly eaten.”
“I’m fine, Jax. And I have eaten.”
“Well, not like you usually do, babe.”
“We’re having three baby girls,” Chase tells me.
I nod. “Sam told me. Are you excited?”
He nods. “Can’t wait.”
“No. More,” Gray says. “Dad. Get. Snip. Snip.”
Alexia, Sam, and the boys laugh.
Jaxson frowns.
I look around, clueless.
“Jax is getting a vasectomy after the girls are born,” Sam explains.
“Oh.” My condolences, dude.
“Snip, snip,” Alexia says, gesturing a pair of scissors.
“Not funny, babe.”
“Good morning.”
We all look up as the Grant matriarch, the Lioness, Lady Grant walks into the Room. A man I’ve seen her pictured with, Stewart, is by her side.
Jaxson stands, giving her a hug. “Best timing ever, Lizbet.”
She raises a brow.
“We’ve been teasing Jax about his vasectomy,” Alexia tells her.
“That’s not something you should tease a man about, Lass,” Stewart says.
“Do you know how many ‘beached whale,’ ‘look out, she’s backing up,’ and ‘come, come, come,’ jokes I’ve been the brunt of?�
�
“Alexia, stop pouting. It’s not a good look on you,” Lizbet tells her.
Alexia frowns and mumbles something I don’t catch.
“What’s a ‘come, come, come,’ joke?” JB asks.
Jaxson chuckles. “Care to explain, babe?”
“Your dad will explain, later,” she tells him.
JB shrugs.
“Samantha, dear?” Lizbet says.
“Oh. Sorry, Gram.” She places a hand on my shoulder. “Logan Romano, this is my grandmother, Lizbet Grant.”
I stand.
She scans me with intensity. It makes me feel like… prey. Now I know why they call her the Lioness.
“Good God, Gram. Leave the man alone,” Alexia tells her.
Lizbet smiles and kisses me on both cheeks. “Do I make you feel uncomfortable, Logan?”
Before I can answer, Stewart steps in, holding out his hand. “She doesn’t bite, lad. Not too hard, anyway. I’m Stewart.”
I shake his hand. “Nice to meet you, Stewart.”
“Gram, come sit by me,” JB tells her.
“Go on and sit, my dear,” Stewart tells her. “I’ll fix you a plate.”
“Thank you,” she tells him, kissing him on the cheek. She pulls out a chair and sits between JB and Chase.
“Comment était la France, Grandmère?” Chase asks her.
She tousles his hair. “Hot and humid.”
Stewart places a mimosa and a plate of fruit in front of her. “Thank you, dear,” she tells him.
She takes a sip of mimosa, looking over at Sam and me. “What is it with my granddaughters and hot Italians?” she sighs. “Are you an ‘Italian Stallion,’ Logan?”
I choke on my eggs.
She gives me a wicked smile.
“Gram,” Sam scolds. “Please be nice.”
Stewart sits across from her. “Lizbet,” he scolds.
She just smiles.
“Sausage, my dear?” Stewart asks her, holding up a link.
The adults chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” JB asks.
“Nothing,” we all say, our laugher kicking up a notch.
“Samantha, dear,” Lizbet says. “I brought home the plans for the chateau’s renovations. I’d like you to go over them.”
Sam nods. “Tomorrow.”
“Whenever you have time, dear. No rush.”
Estates. Chateaux. Private jets. Sausages. What have I gotten myself into?
We all look up as Lee walks in.
“Stewart asked Gram if she wanted a sausage,” Chase tells him.
His brow wrinkles.
“We didn’t get it either,” JB tells him.
“What’s up?” Alexia asks him.
“Please excuse my interruption. The gate just called.”
She lifts a brow.
“Nick,” he says.
“Nick?” Jaxson says. “He never told me he was coming.”
Lee raises a brow to Lex. She nods and he exits.
“What’s going on, babe?”
“You’ll know soon enough, husband. Then we’ll talk and see if there’s anything we can do to help.”
Jaxson nods.
A couple of minutes later, a man who I assume is Nick walks in.
Jaxson stands and greets him. They man-hug. “This is a surprise,” Jaxson tells him.
Nick, clearly agitated, looks over at the table and waves. “Sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt.”
Alexia gifts him with a half-smile. “Join us.”
He returns her half smile. “Thank you, Lex, but… I’m not hungry.”
“Are you sure?” Jaxson asks. “There’s plenty.”
He shakes his head. “No, I’m good.”
Jaxson frowns. “What’s going on, Nick?”
Lex begins to stand.
“Babe,” Jaxson says, stepping over to help.
She holds up a hand. “I’ve got it.”
He frowns, holding out his hand. “No, I’ve got you.”
“How are you feeling?” Nick asks her.
“Huge.”
“I bet,” he says.
“What’s going on?” Lex asks him.
He sighs heavily. “Have you spoken with Jules?”
She frowns. “Yes, I spoke with her earlier. She’s staying at Ryan House. And she’s not to be disturbed. Do you get me?”
Nick nods.
Jaxson frowns. “What the hell, babe?”
Nicks shakes his head. “She has every right to be upset with me.”
“Upset isn’t quite the word I would use.”
“Babe,” Jaxson scolds.
Nick holds up his hand. “I’m not here to fight, Lex. I’m here to talk with my best friend.”
“Fine.” Alexia says.
“Can we talk, in private?” Nick asks him.
Jaxson frowns. “Sure. I’ll meet you in my office.”
Nick nods and takes his leave.
“What’s going on, Alexia?” Lizbet asks.
“Nothing good, Gram. I’ll explain later.”
“Okay, dear.”
“I don’t like this, babe.”
She whispers something in Jaxson’s ear. He nods and looks over at me. “Logan, my wife needs her sister for a couple of hours. Would you mind hanging with me?”
“Lex and I are going to go see Jules,” Sam whispers in my ear.
I nod.
“I know this is weird and awkward, but you’ll understand soon.”
I nod and kiss her on the cheek. I excuse myself and follow Jaxson to his office. When we arrive, Jaxson shuts the door behind us.
“Logan Romano, this is my best friend, Nick Cain.”
We shake hands.
“You met my wife.”
“Yes, at Joe’s.”
He nods.
“Sit anywhere, Logan,” Jaxson says, waving a hand.
I nod and sit in a leather chair that flanks a low-burning fireplace.
Jaxson joins me, sitting to my left in a matching chair.
We watch as Nick makes his way to the bar.
Jaxson looks at his watch but remains silent.
I look around the room. It’s masculine, comfortable, and no less than spectacular. Every man’s dream home office.
Nick pours a drink and joins us, sitting across from us on a leather sofa.
Jaxson sits back in his oversized leather chair, stretching out his long legs, and folding his arms behind his head. I get the feeling he’s trying not to look or seem intimidating or imposing, which isn’t possible. The man takes over a room, commanding your attention.
“So,” Jaxson says. “What the fuck is going on?”
Nick raises a brow toward me.
Jaxson clears his throat. “Logan’s family now. He’s signed on the dotted nondisclosure line. Speak freely, Nick.”
Family?
Nick grins my way. “Poor motherfucker.”
Jaxson chuckles. “Yeah, the man is fucked.”
I give them a weak smile. “Maybe I should go.”
“If you want,” Jax says.
“No, Logan, stay. You’ll find out anyway,” Nick says.
Jaxson presses his palms together, steepling his fingers under his bearded chin. “What did you do?”
Nick frowns and downs half of his drink. “I’ve lost her,” he whispers.
“Jules?” Jaxson asks.
He nods. “I’ve done something… unforgivable and then she… Well, she’s Jules.”
“Just tell us. And please, no sports metaphors.”
Nick nods. “You know I’ve been working with Kimber. Consulting for her company.”
Jaxson nods and looks at me. “Kimber and Nick were engaged in college.”
I nod. This can’t be good.
Nick looks down at his drink. “You remember what she was into?”
Jaxson remains silent for a minute, pressing his fingers together. “I hope this isn’t going where I think it is.”
Nick looks up at him. I don�
��t know the guy but I do know when I see guilt.
“Shit,” Jaxson says. “I told you she was bad news. I told you to stay away from her. What the hell is wrong with you?”
Nick stands and walks over to the bar. “I should have listened to you. I… I guess I just never got over her.”
Jaxson looks calm but I can see the vein in his neck pulsing. “What did you do?”
Nick fills his glass and stands in front of the fireplace. It’s obvious he knows his friend is angry and he’s putting distance between them.
“Shit,” Nick says. “Kimber and I were spending too much time together. Early breakfast meeting, late dinners, you know the drill.”
“I haven’t known the drill for almost ten years,” Jaxson says, with a bite.
Nicks runs a hand over his scruff. He looks as if he hasn’t slept for weeks. “I didn’t, or maybe I just didn’t want to see her game. I invited her home for dinner.”
“Go on,” Jaxson tells him, the vein in his neck looking to explode.
“Jules came home late. She’d told me she was having dinner with a client, I’d forgotten. Kimber and I were laughing, talking about the shit we did in college. Jules tried to join in, but well… we didn’t even know she’d left us, gone into the house to take a shower. I was such a fool for letting Kimber get to me. She’d had the whole thing planned out. I see that now. She talked me into one of her… adventures. She wanted Jules to join us, I agreed.”
Jaxson remains silent, but the tension in the room and between the two of them is thick enough to slice.
“I know Jules didn’t want to do it, but Kimber made her feel… I don’t know, it was as if she was challenging her, I guess.”
I don’t know for sure what he’s talking about. But I have a pretty vivid imagination and come up with several scenarios, none of them good.
“You’re a fucking idiot,” Jaxson growls.
“You don’t think I know this? I fucked Kimber while my wife sat in a chair and watched. She was supposed to join us, but she just watched. At some point, she’d gotten up and left. I didn’t even know.”
Jaxson gets up and walks to the bar. He picks up a bottle of Grey Goose and fills two tumblers. He walks back and hands one to me. “I think you’re going to need it.”
I nod my agreement, taking it.
Nick looks away from us and continues his sordid tale. “I don’t blame her for what happened next. I deserved it.”
Jaxson sits back down. “What happened?”
“She went to a bar, got pissed, pick up a guy and they… fucked. She’s pregnant,” he says.
Jaxson chokes on his drink. “She’s what?”
Beyond Layers: Layer Series Book Four (Layers Series 4) Page 17