Page 102 of Roots of the Wicked

Chapter Forty-Two

Jax

Instead of James calling for another dinner night, Chase had volunteered us this time, telling his father that we would be there this evening. The last thing I wanted to do was have dinner with his family, but we were having a baby together, so it appeared I was going to have to learn how to deal with them.

An air of elegance zipped through me in my high-collared, light blue body-hugging dress. It highlighted my best assets, kissing parts that would soon swell and stretch and become hard and sore within the coming months.

When I reached to strap into my sand colored, strappy stiletto, Chase appeared, taking the shoe, and strapping me into it with ease.

Walking into Chase’s family home an hour later wasn’t an easy task, as my stomach started fluttering. I usually didn’t care with people thought of me, but when the numbers would be millions, it counted no matter how much I wish it didn’t. However, I still didn’t give a damn what Blake thought of me.

James greeted us at the front door, the maid, butler, and assistant maid at his back. His wide lopsided smile was the first thing I saw. Did he already know about his grandbaby?

Chase stood so close; his father had to squeeze past him to place a soft kiss on my cheek. “Nice to see you again, young lady,” he stated, giving me a onceover. Thankfully, James’s greeting felt sincere. I would have hated to toss some of the hate I had stored up for Blake at him, if he attempted to make a pass at me. Besides, the way Chase was staring at him with me, I didn’t think I had anything to worry about.

His father had displayed a similar behavior toward me at the last dinner, and Chase wasn’t used to seeing this more accommodating version of his father. The men shared a quick embrace, which went smoother than their last awkward hug.

“You can start seeing us as often as you like, Dad,” Chase offered, making his amused smile widen. James’s hand caressed my elbow before he led me to our destination.

Chase maintained his close stance, hovering at my back. I reached behind me and shoved him a few paces back.

“I was informed that seafood gumbo is one of your favorite meals. I hope the team has prepared it to your liking.” James’s cane thumped and echoed through the house, reflecting his chaotic movement.

“I’m sure it will be delicious.” I glanced back at Chase whose protective behavior would spill our secrets before our words did.

When we entered the dining room, Blake and Tonya were already at the table. The sight of Blake standing and greeting me with a barely there head nod paused my steps for a moment.

“Nice to see you again, Jax.” Tonya smiled.

Chase assisted me into the high-backed leather chair. An awkward silence fell over the room, and no one took their seats until after I’d taken mine.

As if things couldn’t get any stranger, James’s and Tonya’s smiling gazes had never dropped from me. If my third appearance in their home was shocking, wait until they heard about the little nugget rolling around in my belly.

“Jax, I noticed you handled your encounters with the media and the leaked photos well,” James stated as the maid placed dishes of soup in front of us. Why the hell would he start dinner with that shit? I’d had my mouth fixed for some gumbo, now my taste buds were all messed up thinking about that mess. It was his table, so I guess I was going to play along.

Chase faced my direction. I saw the question in his tightly pinched brows. How was I planning to address his father’s statement?

“Sir, I didn’t exactly handle it well. I used every trick I could come up with to find out who leaked those photos. When I found out it was one of your company’s drones, I gave your son hell, until he proved he’d had nothing to do with it. The crook is still out there. He thinks he’s safe, but he’s not.” My stiff-eyed gaze was aimed in Blake’s direction. “I’ve latched on to his scent, and I won’t stop until I sank teeth in his a… in him,” I corrected, proud of myself for not cursing.

Ever since I found out about the little fellow I was carrying, I had cut back on a number of my bad habits.

“I have no doubt that you’ll figure out who did this. We’re also investigating to get answers.” James stated.

The chatter continued about the drone, and my and Chase’s leaked photos until Blake, like nail scratching a chalk board, interjected his voice into the conversation.

“Comes with the territory. If you enter a relationship with a billionaire, you should be smart enough to expect you’ll not find any level of peace or privacy.” Distain dripped from him like wet paint.

My teeth sank into the inside of my lip as my eyes adjusted and used the lighting to blur Blake from my vision.

“So, Dad, how have you been?” I questioned James, knowing Blake would hate me addressing his father as Dad. Making matters worse, James answered my question with a wide smile.

“I’m much better. Thanks for asking.” A gracious smile complimented his reply.

His scanning stare searched before pausing at each of us as he prepared to speak again.

“Chase tells me you guys have some important news you’d like the share?” His bushy brows lifted in anticipation, looking like two sleeping caterpillars sitting on his forehead.

I glanced at Chase. Was I going to let him put the bombshell out there? I was sure I’d be hearing about it on the news later when Blake leaked it to the media. Chase cleared his throat. I expected him to be nervous, but a big shit-eating grin was plastered across his face.

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