Page 90 of Beautiful Ruin

His princess.

“I didn’t know you were dating,” Logan said, handing him a glass of whisky as they stood outside to the large yard.

The large pool was the main feature, along with a tiki bar, huge barbeque, and an outdoor dining area with an enormous, long table to fit...well, the entire Dufort family.

Loungers surrounded the pool with sun umbrellas, and on the lawn was a pink tent which Jacob figured was for the little girls to play in.

That and the scattering of toys.

It was the sort of home he had never seen himself owning, but the moment they landed in the chopper and he saw the white mansion, Jacob wanted one immediately.

Quite how he connected the dots of his life, frequenting a sex club—which he owned—to having a family home like this with children of his own, he wasn’t sure.

Logan was still waiting for him to answer.

“Yeah, it’s new,” Jacob said. “Leilani works for Blake, so...we connected.”

“She seems like a nice girl. Well done,” his cousin said, sipping at the glass of chilled beer.

Well done?

Like he’d passed a fucking test or something.

“Just dating. Don’t get excited.” His shoulder lifted as he snorted out a laugh.

Logan studied him. “Have you spoken to your father? I’m sure everyone has been blowing up your phone, but I wanted to give you some time before checking on you.”

Fuck.

This was exactly why he’d invited Leilani and, stupidly, he’d let her go off with the girls because he had been more focused on wanting her to fit in and have fun.

And squirm with that toy inside her.

Jacob should’ve realized Logan would be the one to bring it up. Being the eldest, he’d always been more like one of the adults than a kid to Jacob.

Fletcher tossed some steaks on the grill, and they began to sizzle. He lifted his eyes as if he’d overheard the question and was also waiting for a reply.

Which left Jacob no choice.

“Yeah, we spoke last weekend,” he said, taking a large sip of his whisky. “I love these glasses Fletch. They crystal?”

Logan lifted one of his brows, seeing right through his poor distraction tactic.

Goddamn it, he needed Leilani here.

Fletcher took a sip of his beer. “Yeah. You want a house like mine and a set of my glasses?”

Jacob laughed. “And the pool. Gotta have one of those. What are the dimensions?”

Fletcher glanced at Logan and handed him the tongs. “No idea. Shit, I forgot something inside. Watch the steaks.”

Logan took the metal utensil and nudged at the steaks. “So, how did it go?”

Fucking hell Logan. Read the room.

“Listen, I really don’t want to talk about it. Not yet.” He shook his head. “It was a huge shock and I’m still processing it.”

Logan studied him, then flipped the steaks.

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