Page 48 of Shattered

Henley shrugged unapologetically before speaking. “What your sister is trying to say—not so eloquently—is you made a mistake out of love not greed. There’s a bigdifference.”

“Exactly. Though I could’ve gotten my point across without being bruised.”

“They would’ve found another way, Jett,” I told him gently.

And I wasn’t lying. People who felt they were owed something they didn’t earn did deplorable things, including dragging the two people in this world they were supposed to love unconditionally through the mud.

Shit like this made me wish my family lived closer. Jade and Jett would get to experience what it meant to be part of a true family, instead of the dumpster fire they were born into.

Mom already couldn’t wait to meet them, same with Riley and Willow. I was looking forward to a trip home, though I wasn’t too keen on the ass-kicking they’d dole out when they found out we were married. Luckily, we had time before we had to jump that hurdle.

Jett stared at his sister with a look on his face I couldn’t get a read on. He blinked and whatever I saw was gone.

“You need to be careful. They’re dangerous.”

“I can take care of myself, little brother.”

“I’m serious, Jade. Nothing can happen to you. You’re the only parent I’ve ever had.”

His worry was not to be taken lightly.

“I’ve got you both, Jett. We’ve all got you.”

Jade

A week wasn’t nearly enough time to prepare for a battle against an enemy. When that enemy was your own flesh and blood, even a lifetime wouldn’t be long enough. Nevertheless, after two rather lengthy meetings with our new lawyer, Betsy’s nephew, Michael, we were ready.

According to Michael, there wasn’t actually anything to worry about. He said the case was pretty much a slam dunk, especially since I’d kept the letter my parents left four years ago. Yet there I was, the evening before, with more anxiety than blood coursing through my veins.

“We should stop her before she hurts herself,” Jett spoke, not so quietly.

“Or at least open some windows,” Phoebe suggested. “All those chemicals can’t be good for our lungs.”

I was trapped in a frenzy; a cleaning frenzy to be exact. Otherwise, I’d explain how the products I used were harmless to both humans and animals. Not that we had any pets, though the thought of getting a kitten or a puppy had crossed my mind a time or two lately.

Jesus! What was wrong with me?

We were in the middle of a crisis and I was thinking about fur babies. This was why I needed to clean. It was the only thing, besides sex with my husband, which seemed to settle my racing mind. And considering we had a house full of people, an afternoon quickie was off the table. Or maybe it could beonthe table.

Gah! Scrub the floor, Jade.

“Leave her alone. She’s nesting. It’s perfectly healthy.” That was Lanie.

When Koen called earlier and said the team was coming over for dinner, I wasn’t expecting the whole team. When Lanie and Noah sauntered into my house like they hadn’t disappeared from our lives for weeks, I was shocked stupid. Then I lost it. Actually, we lost it. Henley and I both. Total and complete emotional breakdown. We didn’t even try to blame it on the impending court case, she knew we’d been worried.

“Nesting? Like pregnant women do?” He frowned, thenglared at Koen. “You’d better not have knocked up my sister already.”

“Jesus, kid,” he sputtered through his laughter. “That’s really none of your business.”

“Lanie misspoke. She meant nervous energy, not nesting.”

“I said what I said, Henley. Now that I’ve mentioned it though, I’m thinking the wrong person might be nesting.”

Thatgot my attention in a hurry. Something seemed off since they’d all arrived, I just couldn’t put my finger on it. Setting the mop back in the bucket, I joined my friends in the living room. Koen patted his lap, so I took him up on the offer of a comfy place to sit.

“What the hell are you babbling about?” Noah raised a brow.

“Minus the crazy cleaner and the two teenagers, everyone else in this room has some form of alcoholic beverage,” Lanie’s hazel eyes swept over our friend. “Except Henley. And do I spy a tiny baby bump?”

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