Page 34 of L.O.V.E

“I’ve got my sugar daddy to take care of me,” she teased, throwing in a wink. “Besides, soon as you knock me up, I’m going to resign. We’ve already talked about this, Cole. I want to raise my children, not hire someone for the job. Have you changed your mind? Because that’s a deal breaker. If you’re going to be one of those husbands that says he wants his wife at home, then complains to his friends that he’s the sole breadwinner in the family, we need to rethink our relationship. Because that’s just bullshit, and you know how important family is to me.”

“Jesus, Vic. I’m worried about you getting fired. How the hell did we go from you shirking your responsibilities to me being a bastard?”

“Oh, God, Cole. Sorry. I’m such a mess with all the wedding preparations.” Her pink-tinted lips dotted my cheek. “I need to hit the treadmill so I can fit into my dress. See you at lunch.”

“Vic, wait.”Christ. I couldn’t wait for the wedding to be over. The moment I’d proposed and put that ring on her finger, she’d hit the ground running, leaving me dumbfounded, choking on her dust.

My cell rang.

“Love you, babe. See you soon.” With a pat to my chest, she sauntered away to work out at a gym she hated.

Deep down, I knew lunch wasn’t her motive for showing up; otherwise, we’d have met at a Victoria-approved restaurant. Something was up. Had I not been distracted by a call from my father, I would’ve locked her in my office and made her talk. Instead, I answered my cell and followed her back downstairs.

“Hey, Dad.”

“How’s my boy?”

“Doing great.”

“And that lady of yours?”

“Perfect. How’s the knee?”

“Therapist said I’m back to working order.”

“Good to hear. You gonna come by, go a round?”

“Ha!” He barked a belly laugh. “Learned my lesson the last time. I’ll leave the fighting to you young punks.” When I was a kid, Dad loved getting in the ring with me. He wasn’t trained, but that never stopped my old man. Hands on, my dad, even if he suffered an ill-timed hit or two. Wasn’t until years later, he told me it made his heart soar to see the way my confidence grew with those gloves on.

“And the gym? How’re things coming along?”

“Renovations on the apartments upstairs are due to start next month.”

“That’s perfect, Son. Can’t wait to hear all about it. Lunch next week?”

“See you then. Love ya, Dad.”

“Love you too, Cole.”

I stood on the last step, scanning the space. Victoria was MIA, but Martin and Ellis stood in the entrance to one of the training rooms, each leaning against a doorjamb, arms crossed, lovesick smiles on their faces.

I came behind the two lugs, about to make my presence known, when I caught sight of the scene. Lacey lay on her back, the instructor crouched over her, giving instructions. All the other students watched with rapt attention. All but one.

Natalie stood, arms crossed, the heel of one bare foot perched on the other, her gaze narrowed, not on the floor, but at Victoria, who stood at the opposite corner of the room, cheeks red, chest rising and falling as if she’d sprinted a mile. Victoria wasn’t watching the class either, but had her ire aimed at Martin and Ellis, looking ready to blow.What the fuck?

I stepped between my brothers. Victoria’s eyes widened. She smiled, raised a hand, then disappeared around the corner.

“Jesus. Look at you lovesick bastards.” I gripped their shoulders. “Give the ladies some privacy.”

Ellis shrugged me off, his puppy dog eyes heartwarming.

Martin, on the other hand, leaned closer, voice low, almost genuine. “Why’s she taking a self-defense class?”

“She’s your girlfriend. Ask her,” was all I offered. Wasn’t my business. Victoria, however, was my business. “Either one of you say something to piss off Vic?”

Martin grunted a, “No.”

Ellis mumbled, “Haven’t talked to her in days, why?”

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