Page 58 of Subtracting the Heart

Jax stepped out of the bathroom and found Cade on the phone. He kissed his young partner’s lips quickly before he disappeared down the stairwell to the ninth floor.

He approached suite 909 and knocked quietly, hoping he wasn’t too early. When the door opened, Jax didn’t see anyone until he looked down to see a beautiful little girl of about seven.

He knelt and grinned at her. “I’m Jax. I bet you’re Carlotta?”

The girl smiled. “Come in, Uncle Jax. Mamma’s still dressing. Would you like some water?” The beautiful little brunette was unbelievably mature, and Jax was drawn to her in an instant.

Carlotta had wavy hair that was pulled back with a barrette holding it out of her gorgeous face. She was more stunning than Jax could tell over the Skype sessions he’d had with her and her mother, Sela Thomas, Ford’s older sister.

It had been a fortunate miracle Cade had found Sela and Carlotta, but Ford had mentioned something about his sister moving to France to attend the Sorbonne and then the two of them losing touch. Cade started there with his research before moving on to painters in France, then in all of Europe.

He found a photographer who worked in Milan for a fashion magazine by the name of See Thomas. It had been a hunch on Cade’s part, really, that it was Ford’s sister.

Cade called the fashion magazine that used the pictures of a runway show for an ad campaign, and they gave him the name of the photographer’s agent. It took a few weeks to orchestrate the contact, but one day, after Ford left for the club, Jax and Cade had called Sela on Skype and the three of them had a conversation. That was when they met Sela’s daughter, Carlotta.

The two of them were excited to have Ford’s sister and niece attend the wedding. It had been extremely difficult to keep it a secret. Finally, it was happening, and they were both nearly bursting to launch the surprise later that night.

“Come see my pretty dress,” Carlotta said.

She took Jax’s large hand and led him to the other bedroom in the suite, pushing him to sit on the bed. She reached into the closet and pulled out an ivory satin dress with a champagne-colored taffeta overlay.

There was a taupe, grosgrain ribbon around the waist, and Jax did the girl’s dress justice by gasping at its beauty. “That’s beautiful, Carlotta.” She seemed remarkably comfortable with him, which made him happy.

“Uncle Cade sent Mama the link to it, and we went to the store here yesterday after we got to the hotel. It fit me, so we brought it home. It’s like a princess dress, don’t you think?” Carlotta held up the dress, putting her left foot forward and pointing the tip of her shoe in a pose for Jax’s approval.

Jax laughed. “It’s very much like a princess’ dress. I gotta go pick up my tuxedo today and our wedding rings. Are you ready to walk down the aisle to help us with the wedding? I believe Uncle Cade has some pretty flowers for you to carry on top of the pillow with the rings.”

Well, he hoped he was right because he only half paid attention when Kincade, their wedding planner, explained it to him. Carlotta was going to be the flower girl and ring bearer, all in one. Sela was set to walk Ford down the aisle, and Katrina was going to walk Jax down the aisle, with Cade following behind. He was to be Jax’s best man and Cleveland would be Ford’s.

The two of them heard a noise and turned to the sitting area of the suite where Jax saw the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen in his life. She was tall and thin with long, blonde hair and gorgeous features… Which were not dissimilar to one of the men he loved. “Sela, you’re lovelier in person,” he told her as he hugged the woman.

She hugged him in return. “My brother’s lucky you’re gay or I’d take you for myself. Now, did he get the package? Did he have any inkling?” Sela asked.

“Not a clue. He thought Kincade did it, but our Cade’s a good actor. He played it off like a pro. Ford’s probably going to want to kick our… butts, but he’ll be thrilled to see the two of you. Shall we?” Jax opened the door of the hotel room and swept his hand out for his companions to lead the way.

The three of them were careful to take the service elevator so as not to run into Ford and Cade. The surprise had taken too long to orchestrate for it to be ruined. Jax had a car waiting for them outside the back exit, and after he ushered the two inside, he hopped in with them and gave the driver the address on the Upper East Side where he needed to pick up his new tux.

“Did you get a response from Garrett or Grant?” Jax was referring to Sela and Ford’s younger brothers.

Sela chuckled humorlessly. “Not a word, but from everything I’ve heard from some friends back home, they’re living the life of spoiled rich kids so my request for them to call me went unanswered. If Mother or Father heard I’d contacted them, theymight get cut off and need to seek legitimate jobs to support themselves, heaven forbid.”

Jax placed his arm over the back of the seat and touched her shoulder. “It’s okay. Trust me, this will make Branford very happy, especially when he gets to meet the beautiful Princess Carlotta. He doesn’t even know about you,mon petit ange.”

Jax had no doubt Ford would be over the moon upon seeing his sister and meeting his niece. It was the best gift Cade and Jax could give the blond bombshell.

After stopping at the jewelers and the tailors to complete his wedding-related errands, Jax suggested they go for lunch. “Cade came up with this place he thought you might like, Carlotta. I wish he could get away to join us, but I think there might be one in Chicago, so when you and your mom come visit, we can make a reservation and all go together.”

“Oh, that sounds fun, Uncle Jax,” the girl said as Jax helped her into the car while the driver put the bags in the trunk.

Jax turned to Sela. “I hope you don’t get mad, but she’s the closest thing we’ll have to a little one in our lives, and we’re prepared to spoil her.” He directed the driver to an address in Midtown.

When they pulled up in front of the place, Jax saw a line and was grateful Cade had made a reservation. “Oh!Mama!” Jax knew he had a winner right then and he had Cade to thank.

He was certain he looked like a bull in a china shop as he lumbered up to the greeter’s stand with the beautiful little girl in his arms, but it was his first official act as a “guncle,” and hewas enjoying it. “We have a reservation. Delacroix.” The young woman behind the podium appeared to be a bit startled at his size.

Jax had toned up, but he hadn’t lost as much weight as he’d initially planned because he’d worked out with the linemen over the summer. He felt healthy and strong, and that mattered most to him.

“I don’t see Delacroix, but I have a reservation for three under the name of Ragin’ Cajun. You’re Jackson Delacroix, right?” The girl had a faint blush on her cheeks. He was going to swat Cade’s sexy little ass for that one.

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