Page 75 of Life

“And deal with Chase’s outrage? You don’t know him well. He seems like a rich businessman with too much money, but his wife and those babies she’s carrying are his entire world. He would risk it all for them. I’m not unhappy Jack did his job. I would want her safe above all others, too. She’s more important.”

He scoffs. “Not to me she’s not!” he grates between clenched teeth.

“And that is why you’remi hombre.” I grin and his anger seems to visibly dissipate. “When can I get out of here?”

“Doc says you’ll be released in a few hours. Now that you’re all sewn up, and he can check to make sure you don’t have a concussion from the fall…”

“Which I don’t. I’d know if I hit my head. What about Gigi?”

He shrugs. “Don’t know.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? You get up and go find out where my best friend is and whether or not her and the twins are okay. And do not come back here until you do!” I push at his muscled chest with my good hand and then start mumbling my irritation. “Dios mío. No puedo creer que este hombre. Un dolor en el culo.”

He stands up abruptly and holds his hands up in surrender. “Fine, fine. I’ll go check on your girl, but you”—he points at me—“are a pain in my ass, too! Damn woman.” He starts to walk out. “Spicy as fuck. Damn, now I want to fuck you,” he grumbles.

I grab the tissue box close to the bed and toss it at him. “Go!”

Afew days later, I’m squeezing the tension ball the doctor gave me to work the muscle around my wound so it doesn’t get too tight. Gillian and her babies are fine, although Chase is worse for wear. He doesn’t seem to be planning on letting his wife out of his sight anytime in the near future. Gillian blames herself I got hurt, so she’s putting up with his protectiveness as well as calling me three times a day to make sure I’m okay. It’s positively annoying, but since I can’t dance and can’t leave the house due to a Hulk-sized bounty hunter, at least her calls break up the monotony.

“I’ve got to get out of this house,” I groan into the phone.

“I know. I’m sorry,” she says for the millionth time.

Ignoring her apology, I push forward. “He has to let me out this weekend since it’s Bree’s baby shower.”

“True! And it’s going to be so fun. We’re going to have it at our rooftop garden. We’ll be painting onesies she can keep that are special, letting off balloons as wishes for the baby’s future, and playing a few games.”

“Will there be any liquor at this party?” I ask.

She groans. “Ria, you will be festive. You will enjoy this shindig and play along. I know the crafty girlie stuff is not your gig, but this is for your soul sister. And she’s got all these Buddha Zen things planned. Plus, it’s a co-ed party.”

“Co-ed? When did that happen?”

“When my husband decided he was going to rain on every parade I have. And since Phillip is so chill, he thought it would be fun to hang out with the guys while the women do their thing. Most of the time, they’ll be in our game and media room. Technically, Chase promised me space, but he’s not good at the space thing right now. I swear, that man is attached to my hip and his hand is constantly hovering over our children. It’s as if he’s got some type of mighty force field attached to his hand. It’s annoying as hell.”

I laugh hard for the first time in a long time. I can imagine the crap Chase is putting my girl through.

“This is not funny. He’s driving me crazy.” A muffled groan combined with the sound of her hand coming down on a hard surface pierces my ear through the phone.

I cringe, pulling the phone away momentarily. “Oh, I don’t doubt it. Eli won’t let me so much as ride in the car right now, so getting to come to your house will be a treat.” I pick at a hangnail, thinking about how much I’d love to get out and get a manicure and pedicure.

When I’m about to ask Gigi if she thinks we should do a spa day once this is all over, Eli bounds down the stairs like a herd of buffalo.

“Hey,cara bonita, gotta go. Talk later?”

“Sure. Be well.”

“I will. I’m healing just fine. Call you later.Besos.”

“Besos.”

Eli has a huge smile on his face when he enters the room. “I’ve got news!”

I sit up straight. “Excelente. ¿Qué es?”

“We’ve got proof Antonio attacked you.”

I’m certain my eyes look like giant saucers. “Really? How?”

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