Page 14 of Soldier, Tailor, Spy

“You are. You’re anything but fine. We both know you’re freaked out, insecure, neurotic, and emotional.”

If she believed in violence, she would’ve smacked him. “Can you please not start with giving me stupid-ass movie quotes, Jake O’Malley?”

“Am I lying?”

“Humph.” She crossed her arms, then winced at the pressure the action put on her chest.

He chuckled. “What I thought.” It was silent for a beat, then two before he asked, his voice husky, and filled with lust. “Are you breastfeeding Declan?”

Jake was a tit and ass man. More tits than ass, and he’d always loved hers. After Fawn was born, he always was around during her feedings. Often, he would pull her into their bedroom, set himself upon the bed, and pull her and the baby between his spread thighs while Fawn nursed. Most times, she’d fall asleep, only to wake up hours later, Fawn back in her crib and her husband wrapped around her.

She’d gotten none of that with Oscar, who hadn’t seemed overjoyed with the news of her pregnancy or the birth of their son. Oscar couldn’t be bothered with doctor’s appointments. Ginger had counted herself lucky he’d even shown up for his son’s birth. Once they came home, he’d all but disappeared again. She’d felt more like a single mother than a wife.

Two marriages down, two kids with two different fathers, was not really how she saw her future when she was younger. After all this bullshit, she was done with love and marriage. She’d focus on the kids, rebuilding their home, and get their life back on track. She’d have time for an adult relationship once Declan was older.

Or maybe never.

Never sounded good.

“Are you going to come in and see Fawn?” she hedged, ignoring his question when the elevator jerked to a stop. Asher had told him to come back. Ginger suspected that was more for her and her protection than a direct order to Jake.

“Yes.”

She was shocked when he used his card to unlock her door. “Yeah, that will not work for me. You don’t need to have unrestricted access to us.”

“You’ve got my kid in there, Ginger. Deal with it,” he stated before he opened the door.

Rae sat on the floor, both Knox and Declan in front of her, playing. Fawn was sitting on one of the overstuffed chairs, her legs hanging over the arm while her finger flicked at the screen.

“Daddy!” she screeched when she saw Jake.

Dropping her tablet, she barreled toward her father. Ginger stopped her from jumping into her father’s arms. Jake might be upright and walking around, but he was still in pain. She could see it in the pinched expression on his face. Not wanting to scare their daughter, she gently reminded her, “Dad just got out of Dr. Rae’s care this morning. We need to be careful with him.”

Their daughter frowned up at her father, and he reassured her, “I’m fine, Peanut Butter.”

“Promise?” Fawn’s bottom lip quivered.

“Wouldn’t lie to you,” he asserted, tugging her to him.

Rae stood up, Knox in her arms. “In a week or two, he’ll be as good as new.” Knox agreed with a high pitch screech. “Told ya. Asher done?”

Jake shook his head. “We took a break.”

She nodded before turning her attention back to Ginger. “Both of them were perfect. Fawn had a snack, and Declan ate a banana.”

“Thank you,” Ginger said.

“It was my pleasure. It was nice for Knox to have someone around his age to play with,” Rae stated. She tickled her son’s belly, who laughed. “Let’s go find daddy, maybe he can sneak out for a bit and have dinner with us.”

Ginger walked Rae to the door, thanking her again. After closing and locking the door, she turned to Jake, who’d sat on the couch. Fawn cuddled up on his right side, and Declan on his left.

“Feed him. I’ll keep Fawn occupied,” he ordered.

The problem with feeding him was the apartment offered no privacy unless she took him into the bedroom or bathroom.

Ewe gross.

Marching over, she picked Declan out of Jake’s hold and moved to the chair Fawn had previously occupied. Declan fussed, and her milk let down, making the front of her shirt damp.

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