Page 133 of Undisputed Player
We stopped at Jovie’s on the way. I was excited to see Leo and hear all about how his sleepover went. Having him in my arms made every fear I ever had disappear.
Jovie opened the door before we could knock, Avery bouncing at her side in a cloud of pink tulle.
“Ms. Estelle!” she shrieked, launching herself at my legs. I hugged her, laughing, before scanning the hallway for Leo.
He appeared sleepy and rumpled, but by the roundness of his little tummy, it seemed like he’d had a hearty breakfast, just like me.
I dropped to my knees, pulling him into a fierce hug, checking him over for bruises or scrapes, running my hands through his hair to reassure myself he was real and safe. He hugged me back, his little arms tight around my neck.
“Elle! I missed you,” He smiled, hugging me even tighter. I felt tears prick at my eyes. He was safe and he washappy.
Jovie appeared in the doorway, her blonde bob perfectly styled, a diamond-studded tumbler in hand. “He was wonderful,” she said softly, her gaze knowing. “You focus on taking care of yourself, okay?”
I swallowed, tears making me blink quickly. “Yes, thank you. For everything.”
She hugged me, squeezing tight. “You’re family. You don’t have to do this alone.”
Family. I truly did have a family now, a large and wonderful family from untouchable luxury and unshakable loyalty.
“Elle,” Leo murmured into my neck. “Are we going home now?”
Tears prickled again. “We’re going together. Just with a new place to sleep.” I brushed a hand through his curls, then held him tighter. “Somewhere safe, somewhere really special. You’ll like it, I promise.”
Jax knelt beside us, watching with that tenderness in his eyes. He didn’t crowd Leo, didn’t rush it. Just waited.
“Hey, champ,” he said finally, his voice that perfect mix of warmth and edge that made grown men cautious, but made Leo peer curiously over my shoulder.
Leo turned, face open and curious. He always seemed to look at Jax like he truly was a lion, golden and majestic with the power to make things happen.
And truthfully, whenever Jax was around, Leo got thoroughly spoiled and knew not to worry about me.
“Can I bring my dinos?” Leo asked seriously, his little brow furrowed under all that wild hair. “And is there space to play games?”
Jax smiled like the sun, warm andhot. “We’ve got a giant game room, all stocked up. And if it’s missing anything, you and I will handle that tomorrow.”
Leo blinked. “You have your own game room? Wait, does Elle meanyourhouse? We’re living in your beach house?”
I had to bite back a laugh. I was still just as shocked as him, but he clearly loved the idea.
“Don’t let it scare you,” Jax soothed, leaning in close. “It’s missing a boss. I was thinking you might take over.”
Leo’s eyes widened, and I watched wonder bloom across his face like sunlight. Then he turned to me, checking. His voice was small. “Can I?”
I looked up at Jax, who was doing nothing but waiting. Not assuming, not taking. Just letting Leo decide.
“Yes,” I answered softly. “If you want to.”
Leo didn’t hesitate after that. He leaned toward Jax, and Jaxscooped him right up into a one-armed hug, letting Leo climb and settle onto his lap like he’d always fit there.
A new shape, the right one.
Inside the beach house, everything was marble and glass like before, sunlight pouring through the floor, to the ceiling windows, gold patterns rippling over floors that cost more than my entire childhood. If I’d been dropped here a month ago, I would have felt so small, out of place, and invisible.
But with Jax’s palm resting with casual possession at the small of my back and Leo in the hall, the vastness didn’t seem so intimidating anymore. It felt like safety.
He took us on a small tour through the different rooms, and every piece of furniture looked too expensive to actually sit on. I watched Leo’s small hand fit into Jax’s much larger one as they walked ahead of me, and my whole heart wanted to burst with emotion.
Leo’s eyes were bright, darting everywhere, but he held himself with the same carefulness he had in fairly new places, especially ones so different from our tiny apartment.
