Page 13 of Bender

Then ask her, moron.

Me

Forget it. I should have just asked Ace to ask her. Since they’re so tight and all.

Jax

Prick

Me

You doing it, or do I need to get Ace to help me?

Jax

They’re already bringing shit. Apparently, they were playing dress up and shit when I called. Remind me to quit my job, so I don’t have to be away from my woman for this stupid shit.

Me

Stupid shit pays the bills man.

Jax

Fuck that.

I don’t bother hiding my grin at how disgruntled my brother is when I meet Ace and Blakely at the door to my room. She’s trying hard to rubberneck into the room. Ace is nearly tripping over Blakely in hopes of catching a glimpse.

“They’re in the shower already. Stop trying to gawk,” I say.

“You want our help or not?” Blakely’s a spitfire, and Ace’s bratty attitude fits perfectly with hers. The two of them have been close almost from the day she showed up. Kid probably benefits from her maternal vibe, even if it does come with an edge of psychotic. She needs an edge like that to keep up with Jax’s deranged ass.

“Yeah, I do. You bring some bath stuff?” I’m hoping she has some of those floofy net things and some soap that will make bubbles. It’s hard to spoil Blu and Grey when I didn’t have advance warning they’d be here. It’s not as if I’ve ever brought a woman to this place.

In fact, I haven’t had a woman anywhere since before my last deployment with Shaw. We were heading back from the shit when we heard from Jax. Pretty much, since then, life’s been focused on getting the club built and handling Ace’s guardianship. There’s been no time for faceless hookups, and that’s the only kind I’ve ever bothered with. But things change. Or they will when my Peanut and Jellybean are ready.

Blakely hands me a bucket filled with bottles and jars while Ace hands over a stack of towels and a rubber ducky. I stare from the toy to him until he rolls his eyes and jabs his chin in Blakely’s direction.

“Don’t ask,” he grumbles. It makes her laugh, and the way he smiles at her shows he’s so comfortable in his skin I feel the warmth in my chest. That’s new. The kid’s been so closed off since we came home, seeing him like this makes everything worth it.

“Thanks, guys. I promise I’ll bring Blu and Grey to meet you when they’re settled some. This has been a big day for them.”

“Blue and Gray? Like crayons? You call them that?” Ace snarks.

Okay, so softening or not, the kid’s still a brat.

“Their names are Blu and Grey. They chose ‘em, and we’re respecting that. Am I clear?” I don’t want to be an asshole to the boy who’s nearly a son to us all, but I’ve got newly shifted priorities. And protecting them is at the very top of my list.

“Man, relax. I’m kidding.” He raises his hands and backs away from the door.

“Come on, Ace. I think you need some lessons in etiquette before you shove your whole foot in that big mouth.” Blakely winks as she hustles him away. She’ll soothe his ruffled feathers. We’re all lucky fucks that she’s hooked on Jax’s wild ass.

“Konrad?” Blu’s worried voice has me quick stepping back to the bathroom. Her wet head’s poked out of the shower, searching for me. The relief that settles on her face when I pop into the room is an ego stroke I didn’t expect.

“What’s wrong, Jellybean?”

“Grey’s too tall for me to wash the soap out of his hair without it getting in his eyes. Can you help?” she asks.

Neither of them have seemed concerned with being naked in front of me, but I ask just to be sure. Their consent matters now, even for something as small as making certain they know what they’re asking for.

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