Page 106 of Pawn

Allie leans into me. “He’s been MIA for weeks,” she whispers. “Texted Lea he’s fine and not to contact him then … poof.”

Wonder if he sent the same to my sister.

Damien’s phone buzzes in his lap, his ringtone chiming. He reaches under to pull it out before he taps the green button. “Just in time for my gift.” He puts it on speaker. “Valerie. Nice to hear from you.”

Who the fuck is Valerie?

“Mister King! Thank you for being in contact. I have good news, the case for Willow Rowland looks to be on our side. Jo will be in custody by the end of the summer.”

“Wait, what?” Sitting up, I stare at the phone like it’ll all make sense.

“Really?” Willow chimes from the kitchen, her round cheeks beaming.

She’s been staying at the lakehouse between crashing with the Quinfrey’s and the Perez’s. I don’t want to think about the parties she’s having on her own. She’s still my sweet little sis even though she’s been kicking nothing but ass.

“I wouldn’t lie,” Valerie confirms. “In my hands, you guys have nothing to worry about.”

Valerie doesn’t know that Willow will only be living with me part-time. Summers, holidays and long weekends. She’s hell-bent on finishing school in Eden and while the school builds up, she’ll be starting at Ancaster in the fall.

While that makes my jaw clench, I’m still learning to trust, and I’m trusting her with this.

“Happy birthday, Rowland,” Damien says in my ear when he hangs up the phone and fuck. I know I didn’t want this to be a big deal but I’m beaming. “Don’t fuck it up.”

I won’t. No fucking way. Not with these guys having my back.

We all take a minute to catch up while I catch my breath from all the excitement. But after warming up with the crew, I get so excited that nature is quick to call.

Walking to the bathroom, I’m smiling the entire way, my mind swarming with memories of Eden and The Grove. Looks like this kid from the wrong side of the tracks turned out alright.

My ass on the toilet, my eyes land on my box of tampons under the sink, my eyes narrowing in on it.

“Fuuuck,” I mutter, scratching at my head. It only now dawns on me that I don’t remember my last period. “Shit.”

Finishing up, I open the bathroom cabinet, grabbing one of our emergency tests.

Okay. Chill.

Taking a breath, I follow the instructions on the wrapper. Waiting is the hardest part as I pace the room, my mind on all the unprotected mind-blowing fuckfests Damien and I have.

“Stupid. Stupid,” I mutter, already assuming my fate.

But it felt so good. So perfect that it would be a shame to—

Buzz! Buzz!

The timer on my phone goes off and when I look on the counter …

“Fuck.”

“Jo?” Damien’s voice rings through the loft like it always does when I’m gone too long.

Taking another breath, I stare in the mirror at my reflection. I don’t look tired anymore, my cheeks healthy and rosy and without the stresses of Eden on my back, I’m feeling brighter, lighter and healthier. But this. This changes everything.

“Jo!”

Opening the door, I approach everyone in the living room. Damien notices something’s up right away, the way he leans forward, cocking his brow.

“Something the matter, Rowland?” His eyes drop to the test in my hand and I pull it behind my back.

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