Page 101 of Better Hide

Recently, I’ve been watching both men get broody over the baby birds, and despite myself, it makes me swoon. I want to give a child a loving home—one I never grew up in. I think we all do. But still, it’s scary. What if I fail? What ifwefail?

Cole squeezes my cheeks hard enough that it hurts, and I open my eyes. He searches my gaze a while longer. “You know, Jo. I’m not a liar.”

I frown. I never said he was.

“And Jayden’s not a liar.”

“What?” I’m confused now.

Cole smirks. “I said I’d tie you down and fill you with our baby so you could never leave us.”

I try to take a step away, but Cole follows me, keeping me pinned to the counter.

“I…”

“Where are you going?”

“I just…”

Jayden’s gaze locks on me. He looks hungry. “You’ll be ours forever, Jo. This is the one last way we haven’t claimed you.”

“It’s not about claiming!” I keep inching away from Cole, but my pussy is throbbing. He follows slowly, stalking me like a cat.

“True, it’s about being a kick-ass parent. But it’salsoabout claiming.” Cole grins as I back closer to the hallway that leads to the bedrooms. “And you’d look so fucking pretty as ours.”

“What about the ice cream? It’ll melt.”

I reach the end of the counter and back up into the open living room.

“Don’t give a fuck about the ice cream.”

I cast a desperate glance at O.P., but he only pants, watching us, then looking at the ice cream. Traitor.

Jayden creeps up on my left, cutting off my escape that way. “You got the ropes, Cole?”

“For five years.”

“Good.” I see the look in Jayden’s eyes right before he lunges.

I scream and run, darting to the bedroom. Fear and intoxication fill my lungs. I almost make it to the guest bedroom with the door to the backyard when Jayden snatches me by the hair. He slams me into the hallway wall so hard I cough to catch my breath.

Jayden grins in my face. “You can never hide from us, Jo. Whether you want it or not, we’re going to fight you, fuck you, and take care of you.” He yanks my hair, causing tears to spring into my eyes. “Just like we always have. Now be our good little girl and fight.”

And I do.

The End

BONUS SCENE

I grip the sides of the sink and close my eyes.

Tired. I’m so incredibly tired. Cole is on baby MJ duty and told me to take a minute to myself. So naturally, I’m hiding in the bathroom. I can still hear her babbled “mama” from here, though.

“She went to the bathroom, baby,” Cole coos.

MJ starts crying, and I drop my head down even further. MJ’s a momma’s girl and has been since she was born a year ago. And I love it. I love the baby cuddles and the hugs and watching all the milestones. But also, I’m fucking exhausted, and it’s not even 9 AM.

The front door rings, and I stand up. Who’s here? Straightening my hair, I walk out.

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