Page 60 of What A Croc
The house Wyatt and Becks had built was not what I would describe as a cabin, but in Jane’s mind anything outside of the upper east side of New York City, was beneath her.
“It’s Julianna’s birthday.” Wyatt’s teeth were gritted tightly together. “You remember Julianna? Your granddaughter.”
“Is the child’s birthday today? I didn’t realize.”
Of course she didn’t. I doubt she even knew when Julianna’s birthday actually was, considering Wyatt hadn’t rushed to call us after giving birth.
“It was two days ago,” Wyatt corrected her.
“Hmmm,” Jane looked around distastefully, her sharp hazel eyes landing on me. Striding forward, she stopped a foot in front of me, looking down her nose.
“Goddess, Robert, you got fat.” Her voice was sharp and snide. “Glad to see my money is keeping you well fed.”
“The fuck?” one of the omegas muttered, Wade or Seth if I had to guess. Maybe Quinn.
Ryan muttered softly, “I don’t like her.”
Blinking, I just stared at her, though I don’t know why I was taken aback by her words. She used her tongue like a weapon. I knew that better than anyone.
But not this time. No, I was done letting her take slices out of me.
“I’m pregnant, Jane, not fat.” I stood taller, straightening my spine as much as possible.
Okay, the extra twenty pounds I had been carrying was closer to forty now, but I didn’t care. I was growing a healthy human being, and my focus, for once, wasn’t on the number on the scale.
Complete shock registered on her face, before she quickly masked it. But not fast enough. I knew her too well. I saw it. And a part of me felt some satisfaction in seeing her reaction before she could hide it.
“Pregnant?” She made the word sound like a curse. “Who in their right mind would get you pregnant.”
Jackson stepped beside me, and his solid bulk and warmth made me instantly feel safe. And calm. Taking hold of my hand, he squeezed it tightly in his. “That would be me.”
The two stared each other down for thirty uncomfortable, energy charged seconds, before Jane flicked her eyes to me. “He’s a child, Robert. You’ve really taken your mid-life crisis a step too far, haven’t you? You could have just bought a sports car, or had an affair. No need to have a child knock you up. And at your age. How unseemly.”
“I repeat, the fuck?” Definitely Wade.
Jackson snickered, “I’m thirty-five. I can assure you I’m far from a child.”
“Don’t be jealous, Jane,” I gave her a thin, cold smile, “It’s unseemly. And I earned every cent of that divorce settlement. You should leave.”
“I came to see my son,” she raised one sandy colored brow at me in challenge. Daring me.
Jackson growled, moving in front of me, but I side-stepped around him.
There were too many times I hadn’t stood up to her. Hadn’t spoken up, or against her. But those days were over. “I’m fine,” I whispered to Jackson, leaning my back into him, until I felt his hard chest.
“Leave, Jane,” I repeated. “You’re not welcome here.”
“Robert, do be quiet. You’re like a bothersome bug buzzing around me.”
Jackson’s chest vibrated against my back, and I swore I heard his teeth snap together.
“I won’t be quiet,” I snapped. “Not this time. Not anymore. I did that for too many years. You and your hateful attitude aren’t welcome here. Leave.”
“Pops is right,” Wyatt took a step forward, arms crossed over his chest. “You’re not welcome here. In fact, you’re not welcome in our lives. It’s been beyond peaceful the last year without you in our lives, and you’re not going to show up and disrupt that. Or ruin my daughter’s birthday.”
She sniffed, like she smelled something rotten in the air. “You’re going to regret this, Wyatt.”
“Doubtful.”
