Page 73 of Jack

“We have heard nothing from Lilith’s ex, so I am taking her and Dom out for the day tomorrow. He has wanted to go and visit that Jungle Island for a while now; one of his friends went there, and we have nothing planned for tomorrow. Wicked Sugar is closed, so it is the perfect day.”

“He will love that. You know he loves animals,” Mom jumps in.

Dad leans to one side, pulling out his wallet. He takes out a stack of cash, and before I can tell him no, he is growling at me.

“Let me fucking spoil my grandson and future daughter-in-law. Take the money, Jack. I know you can support them, butfuck me, let an old man do this, will ya?” I nod and snatch the money close to my body as Royal tries to attack.

“Well, if you do not want it, I will take it.”

“Fuck off.” I kick his boot.

“Go and enjoy the day, Son. Fuck knows what is around the corner.” His voice drops and he and my mom side-eye each other, making my stomach cramp up a little.

I look to Royal in question; he knows what I am asking but he shakes his head gently, barely moving, but I see it.

Is one of my parents ill? Surely, they would tell me, my brother, and sister, if they were. A few years ago, we had a scare with Aunt Della when we found out she had cancer but thankfully, it was not as bad as it could have been.

I leave it alone for now, hoping that my folks will tell us if something is happening with them. But my father is right, we have to live each day, because you never know what is coming next.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

LILITH

I smile seeing the delight on Dominic’s face as we walk past each animal. He is loving it here. When Jack said that we were having a day out, a visit to a zoo, I clapped like a toddler getting a snack.

The club is keeping a close eye on Christopher, and so far, he is behaving; he has not sent any more kids to vandalize anything linked to me. The kids that Maverick tracked down for shooting up Jack’s house with paintballs were all made to clean up the house and do some community work as punishment.

“This place is amazing; the animals are great. Dominic is loving it.” I smile, leaning against Jack’s hard body.

He is watching his son laugh with the other kids who are watching a sloth slowly move along a climbing structure. The love that shines from him makes my heart happy for the future, and if we have any children together. That is a long way off, but I have high hopes that it will happen.

I look up at Jack, watching him watching Dominic and I can’t help but think about whether he would want more kids. He was so young when Dominic was born, he was thrown intoparenthood at the drop of a hat, and even with the club at his back, it must have been a huge adjustment to his life.

Children have always been a dream of mine, one maybe two. I am not settled on a number, but I would love to carry a child, to bring them into the world to be loved and cherished. Something that my own mother was never good at, unless you met her expectations.

“Do you want more kids?” I blurt out before I can stop myself.

Jack’s gaze snaps down to mine, a frown in place on his handsome face, and my stomach tightens a little. He looks at me, his gaze shifting between mine as the minutes tick by, and with each passing second, I feel sicker for asking such a stupid question.

We are new, so why would he suddenly think of having a child with me? I am so stupid.

I hear Christopher’s voice in my head.

“No one will want a child with you, Lilith. No one likes a kid with ginger hair and pale sickly-looking skin.”

He would berate me and say mean things, then say that he was sorry and show me that he was loving and caring; I am stupid for falling for it for so long. He knows how to handle women; he knows the right thing to say.

Stepping back out of Jack’s hold, I wave and laugh it off, albeit awkwardly.

“Sorry. Forget I said anything. I am going to the restroom.” I dash off before he can say anything.

My nose burns with emotion and my vision blurs as I make it to the building that houses the restrooms. A woman frowns as I pass her, but I slip into a stall and lock the door, and putting the toilet seat down, I sit and let the tears fall.

I have ruined the day, and for what? To see if Jack would have children with me, or would like more? Maybe with someone else.

My stomach tightens as the rush of irrational thoughts run through my head. Jack has never given any hint that he doesn’t want a future with me. He told me that he loves me, yet here I am, crying in a public restroom, thinking that he would want kids with someone else.

Shit. I can’t stop the pathetic thoughts rushing around in my head.

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