Page 31 of Amor Prohibido

“You really want to know?” I deadpanned, unable to keep the half-grin from my mouth.

Of course he didn’t. Some things didn’t need to be said to be understood. When he narrowed his eyes at me again, I decided to change tact.

“Evidently, we weren’t. It was after a few drinks and one thing led to another. I hadn’t planned on being with her, it just...” I cursed in frustration.

Dad nodded slowly while swirling the scotch in his glass. “Happened. I understand. But you realise that Steve is going to have your ass for this.”

“He’d better get in line because Darren’s gonna do more than rip me a new one. I’m expecting to end up in a body bag after he’s done.”

Dad chuckled. He knew how protective Darren was of Jax. Daz sure as hell made an awesome big brother, I just never imagined I’d be at odds with him over it.

Dad perched on the edge of his desk, then sat the glass down with a heavythunk.“I’ll wait half an hour after you leave, then ring Steve and have a word. Might help calm things...” He pursed his lips and slowly turned the glass in circles on his desk while he thought. Eventually, a heavy sigh came.

“Look Jace. I know it’s hard to see things clearly right now since you’re both faced with a lot of unknown questions, but there’s one thing you both need to be reminded of. The Carmichaels are family to us. We’re inseparable. We’re there for one another when needed, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do now too. It’s not you against them, or us against them, it’s all of uswithall of them. And to be honest, I can’t think of either of you having better in-laws than Steve and Miri, and Kath and I.”

“Modest, aren’t you?” I drawled. The smirk slid from my face a second later. I sighed heavily and scrubbed my hands over my head to rid some of the tension. “On that note, I’d better get going before Jax gets too tired.”

“Jason,” Dad called as I made for the door.

I turned instinctively to see him standing with his hand extended.

“Congratulations, son.”

For the first time in this entire situation, a flicker of hope and acceptance lit inside. A hint of pride filled my chest as I shook my father’s hand before being hauled into his embrace.

After wordlessly breaking apart and me leaving Dad in his office with his scotch, I made my way to the living room to find Jax and Mum still sharing a moment.

“Ready to go, J?”

She managed a small smile and nodded without hesitation. She and Mum exchanged another crushing hug, one where I couldn’t work out who clung to whom, then Dad came in and instigated another round before we finally made it to the front door.

“Drive safe, Jason. You’ve got my grandchild on board now,” Mum advised.

“I haven’t forgotten, Mum, trust me,” I snapped, a little too harshly.

We said a final goodbye, then stepped into the cold, dark night.

“That went… well, I suppose. I didn’t hear shouting coming from the study, so I’m taking that as a good sign?” Jax asked without taking her eyes off the path.

“They were the easy part. Your papi and brother are the ones I’m worried about. At least I doubt your old man will beat me; I’m expecting to see Darren’s fist in my eye socket.”

Jax gave a nervous laugh as she climbed into the cab. After rounding the bonnet and jumping in the driver’s door, I paused with the key in the ignition.

“Thank you for being there with me, J.”

She rested her head against the headrest and let out a small snort of humour. “Don’t thank me yet. Let’s go see abuelos tres y cuatro.”

Right, yes.That.

I couldn’t escape the foreboding sense of dread as I parked in Steve and Maria’s driveway, then walked with Jax to the house.

As soon as she pushed through the front door and yelled out, “Hola Mami, hola Papi,” a muffled squeal and hasty footfall hurried our way.

Maria appeared and hugged Jax vigorously and don’t think for a second that I missed the slight skim of her hand across Jax’s lower belly. Then she came at me. I wasn’t sure whether to duck and roll or open my arms. A better option would have been to brace; the force of Miri’s impact had me stumbling backward as I tried to prevent us from slamming into the glass door.

Maria hugged me fiercely and offered her congratulations with passion, making it abundantly clear whatshethought of our news.

Steve appeared as we were ending our embrace.

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