Page 173 of Sire
“I’ll go with you.” Axel jumps up after her, but Ruby insists, “Please. I don’t need an audience for version two point O of my chicken salad. I’ll be right back.”
She races to the elevators, whisking her to their new penthouse apartment in The Mercier.
“Those are rough days,” Wren sighs. “Morning sickness doesn’t understand the assignment; it hits at any time of the day.”
I reach for Wren’s hand, regretting I missed every day, every hour she went through to get this far along.
We try to make small talk with Axel, but he keeps glancing toward the elevators, worrying about Ruby.
“Sorry, folks.” He tosses his linen napkin on the table. “My wife needs me.”
“Hey.” I catch his wrist before he leaves. “We need to talk.”
“Sure, man. We’ll catch up.”
He thinks I want to testify about my missionary work in Ukraine and would rather get a root canal. I know my brother, but I’m running out of time.
“Tomorrow night,” I insist. “At the church. Meet me there at seven.”
He’s dismissive. “Yeah, if I can.”
Fuck, Axel’s a bulldog with his priorities: his wife and kid. He won’t commit to anything else.
“No.” I stand, still holding his wrist, and pulling him toward me. “Tomorrow night. Bring Ruby. You have to be there. Promise me.”
His eyes narrow like I’m about to be cross-examined. He’s a goddamn good lawyer that way.
But silently, I cock my eyebrow, because I’m finally a goddamn good oldest brother.
“Alright, man,” he huffs. “Tomorrow night. Seven. The church. Got it.”
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
WREN
Itisour baby kicking,not bean enchiladas.
The flutters are distinct, making me rub my belly. Our little one must feel how nervous I am. My heart is racing—my pulse, climbing.
Tonight can go a dozen ways, beautiful or bloody.
“What are we doing out here?”
Axel gestures to the entire family, all the kings and queens, gathered in the hallway outside the preschool playroom of Sire’s church.
No one else is here. The school is closed for the holiday week.
Cotton-ball Santa Clauses, paper chain garlands, felt Christmas trees, and toilet paper roll ornaments adorn the bulletin boards around us.
Grant and Loch grin, inspecting the kids’ art while Nick, Zar, and Jace suck on candy canes. Nash wraps around Vale, kissing her cheek. Delphine stands with Nadine, their arms looped, but their worried eyes are locked on Ruby and Axel, who’s losing his patience with Sire.
“Why are we here?” Axel challenges him again. “For aPowerPoint presentation on your missionary work in Ukraine? The mighty savior, all while you left your wife and child behind? No thanks.”
Axel’s been brusque with Sire since he’s been home. Sure, the brothers talk shit; I like that part. But acting cruel and even judgmental?
What’s wrong?
It’s like Axel already knows.
