Page 302 of The Reluctant Hero

“Mom,no,” I tell her firmly, trying to take control of my life back without a hope in hell that I’ll succeed.

“Twins run in my line,” Jake offers sweetly.

Mom turns to him with sudden joy. “Oh, I knew I loved you! Pick Jakob, Amanda. He’s got the determination of a Jefferson.”

“You lovebabies,” I grind out in frustration. “You’d love a factory if they spit kids out.”

“I also have paperwork with my sperm count,” Jake nods agreeably.

“You little asshole,” I gape at him in surprise. I was joking when I told him to do it. I should have known better.

“Language,” my parents say absently. My dad is focused on drinking one tiny sip at a time, and my mom is clasping Jake’s hand like he’s a miracle worker.

“You sit with me right here, my boy,” Mom says, dropping to the couch and pulling a willing Jake with her.

I take the drink out of Dad’s hand and slug some back.

“One drink, and then it’s mine again,” he protests, holding his hand out. “We can share the next one.”

“Absolutely not, Edward,” Mom pins Dad with a glare. He freezes with the glass halfway to his lips. “Your doctor said one glass, and that’s what you get. Amanda is not drinking. It might delay a pregnancy. She needs to start taking vitamins, not having alcohol.”

“I’ve added a medicinal tablet that has properties to help with conception,” Jake informs her solemnly. “No unnatural chemicals.”

“If you ever say anything about Cade playing with food again, I’m bringing this shit up,” I snarl. I can’t trust hisall-naturalremedies, it’s decided. And why would he give me that when I have a contraceptive in my…

My hand flies to my arm, feeling for the telltale rod. I almost drop to the floor with relief when I find it.

Ace drops onto his couch and gives me a smug look. “She’s got Jake now. We could get away, darlin’.”

“That’s what you think,” Dad says with a warning glance.

“Just let Jake fatten her up with baby dreams, and we’ll be ok,” I whisper back desperately.

Ace raises an eyebrow. “Nothin’ with Jake ever ends ok.”

“Are you from the south?” Dad asks without any tact.

“I am, sir,” Ace assures him calmly.

“What’s your take on…”

I zone out as football talk commences. Cade perks up and practically shoves me out of the way to join the conversation.Mikael firmly focuses on my Dad in a desperate attempt to pretend Mom doesn’t exist. Jake is happily assuring Mom that if no one else steps up to the plate he’ll make sure that she gets at the very least four grandkids. Mom is so delighted she squeals and taps her feet on the floor.

“If I ever turn into her, please shoot me,” I mutter in horror. Only Gabe hears me.

“It must be hereditary,” he taunts with an icy smirk.

Epilogue

Peace Sells

Cade

I knock on the door and look around the hallway. I need to get a contractor out here and figure out how to remodel this complex without making the tenants leave for an unknown amount of time. Maybe a new building first to move them into and then redoing this one.

The door in front of me swings open, revealing a sixteen-year-old kid with a scowl. His black hair is a mess, and his green eyes are piercing.

Manuel Carrasco. AKA Manny.

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