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“It’s no one else’s business. And even if it is his kid, that’s between you and your husband. No one else. Don’t you dare let anyone make you feel bad.” She shakes her head. “What a twatmuffin, though. Dragging you into it like that. You know how much gossip goes on down at family court?”
I groan. “Thanks for reminding me.”
“Sorry. Who’s the other attorney?”
I give her the name, and she jots it down. “I’ll see what I can find out about him. Damon might know who him.”
“Thanks.”
“Try not to let it bother you. Hopefully the tests are done soon, and you’ll have an answer and can move on.”
I blow out a long breath and sit back. “I actually feel better now.”
“Well, sure. I know the club is like family to you, but you’re in a rough spot here. You have to portray confidence and be professional for your clients. But it’s hard to separate that from the fact that you have skin in this game.” She pauses and lets out a short laugh. “And Rock’s probably about ready to strangle a bitch for upsetting you, so you don’t want to encourage that.”
I burst out laughing, because she nailed it.
Her smile fades. “You should’ve told me sooner, Hope.”
“I’ve been a little crazy since we got the papers.”
She tilts her head. “How many possible fathers did she name again?”
I give her the number. “Oh, and she added another one. The attorney hasn’t gotten around to filing the amended papers yet.”
“Oh for God’s sake.”
“Yeah, like we were talking about, I really don’t like to judge, but…”
“What a skank?”
I chuckle and duck my head. “Pretty much.”
“I think, in this case, you’re one hundred percent justified in judging.”
“Then, there’s a small part of me that kind of feels sorry for her. Ugh. I’m waffling all over the place, but you know, that’s why Marsden gave me a B in Evidence, because I couldn’t stick to one argument.”
She rolls her eyes at the mention of the abrasive law school professor we both had for Evidence and Criminal Procedure. “Lawyers are supposed to analyze and look at a case from all sides.” She waves her hand in the air. “He only gave you a B because he wanted to bang you and you were unavailable.”
I blink and stare at her. “What? That’s crazy.”
She shrugs.
“Anyway, I want to whap myself upside the head for considering Inga’s feelings at all.”
“You’ve always been empathetic, Hope. It’s why you’re a good advocate for your clients.”
“Nah, I think it just makes me a sucker.”
“Only if you let it. Besides, the world could use more empathy these days.” She rubs her hands together. “Just wait until you get the results in. Then the real fun begins. She was stupid to bring the action here. You’ll have a strong case to argue that any custody issues should be fought in New York. You said she’s a porn star, right? Maybe you can sue her for support.”
“I hadn’t gotten that far yet.” The last thing I want to do is involve myself in an ugly protracted custody battle. I’ll tag Charlotte in if it comes to that. “Who knows, maybe she’ll want to move here to be near the father.” Doesn’t that make me want to hurl. “Shit, if one of the guys is the father, I’ll end up having to see that wench again at some point.”
“Hopefully it’s before the baby gets here.” One corner of her mouth slides up. “That way when you choke the shit out of her, I’ll argue pregnancy hormones made you do it.”
Chapter Three
Rock
“How was your afternoon with Mara?” I ask as soon as I see Hope.
“Enlightening and entertaining.” Her phone rings before she has a chance to explain her answer. She pulls it out of her pocket and checks the number. “It’s the lab. I’ll be right back.”
“Thank fuck. Finally.”
She nods at me as she heads into the room across the hall with her cell phone against her ear.
I drop down on the edge of the bed and wait for her to return. She’s not on the phone long.
“Argh!” She stalks over to me, and I wrap my arms around her, resting my cheek against her stomach.
“Tell me.”
“Can you get all the guys together for me tonight? I have testing times for everyone.”
“Finally.”
She runs her fingers through my hair, lightly grazing my scalp with her nails. “I set you and Teller up first.”
Even though her voice is low and hypnotic, my head snaps up. “Why?”
“Because you’re the president.” She rests her hand against my cheek. “And because this whole thing is a ploy to get at you. I want to make it clear to her that we are not scared of the results. The sooner she understands she can’t sink her claws into my man again, the better.”
As usual, my wife knows the words to unlock my worries, setting them free. And turn me on, because damn do I love her all possessive. “Thank you.”
“Teller, because he could be the father.” Her mouth twitches. “For Charlotte’s sake. But don’t tell the others that was a factor. I don’t want them picking on Teller.”
I close my hands over her hips and pull her closer. “Your secrets are safe with me.”
“Probably not the most ethical action when I have multiple clients.” Her mouth twists down. “I’ve never had a case like this.”
I squeeze her hips tighter, kneading her ass. Fighting my urge to throw her down on the bed and strip her down, I say the words my intelligent, determined wife needs to hear right now. “I doubt many lawyers have had a case like this. You’re doing a great job. You’ve taken all of our needs into consideration. Balanced everything the best you can. The whole situation is fucked-up. And honestly, once they quit bitching, every one of them would want you to send Teller ahead of them, just for the reason you said.”
“After they razzed him first.”
I lift one shoulder. “Well, yeah.”
She laughs. “Thank you.”
“Before I call them, tell me about your day. How was Mara?” I ask again. I don’t want this lawsuit to take up every waking moment of our lives. We still need to talk about other things. And Mara’s the only friend Hope’s age who’s had a baby, so I’ve been anxious for them to spend more time together, hoping it might ease my wife’s fears.
“Mara is a deviant who tried to drag all my dirty pregnancy sex stories out of me.”
“So the usual girl talk.”
She taps my arm. “You wish.” Her smile fades, and she stares at a spot somewhere over my shoulder. “I told her about the lawsuit. I didn’t realize how much some aspects were bothering me. It felt good to hash it out with a colleague.”
“Like what?”
She clamps her lips shut and shakes her head.
“Hope, talk to me.”
After we dealt with Adam telling Hope about the lawsuit, my focus has been on how pissed I am this is happening and my concern for Hope’s health. I didn’t consider the harm to her reputation or how embarrassing it might be when and if she actually has to go to court.
“She was supportive.” Her mouth quirks. “She wanted to strategize about which jurisdiction to sue for custody in. And promised to represent me if I strangle Inga.”
I tip my head back and laugh, happy the conversation went well. “Did she ask if it was my kid?”
“Of course. But she didn’t treat me like I was pathetic for believing you.”
“Good. How was Cora?”
“Didn’t get to see her. She was with Damon’s mom.” Hope tra
ils her fingers along the collar of my cut, stopping to play with the pin she gave me before our trip to National. “They have some top-secret kink class to go to tonight. Damon’s the guest lecturer.” She wiggles her eyebrows.
“Anything you wanted to attend?”
A playful smile ghosts over her lips. “Maybe.” She hesitates. “Mara said she could get us an invitation. I wasn’t sure you’d be interested.”
“Depends on what it is.”
She nods and glances at the clock. “Can you call the guys? I want to give out their times before dinner.” She runs her hands over her stomach. “Swan said she’s making a rib roast tonight. I told her she better be making two and I don’t think she took me seriously.”
Meaning, she plans to be the first one at the dinner table tonight and I better not get in the way.
“Yup. On it.” I pull out my phone and text Wrath and Z, knowing they’ll handle contacting everyone else.
An hour later, we arrive at the clubhouse. The guys are surprisingly quiet. Scents from the kitchen waft down the hallway and Hope briefly stares in that direction before pulling out a packet of papers and waving her hands in the air to get everyone’s attention.
“Listen up! I have your testing times.” She calls each of them by name and hands out a card with the address, date, and time of the appointment. When everyone has their card, she adds, “Please don’t be late, and call me after you’re done.”
“Thank you, Hope.” Sparky runs up and hugs her. “You’re the best.”
She rubs her hand over his head, and he leans in like a puppy. “No problem, Sparky.”
“Man, I really hope it’s not me. I don’t wanna be a dad.”
She hesitates, and I can tell she’s thinking over several answers. Finally, she settles on. “I know.”
Our eyes meet, and she shakes her head at the smirk I’m wearing.
“Go forth and give your DNA, boys. Make me proud.” She smiles at each one of them.
“Wait, are we jerking off in a cup?” Ravage asks.
Hope takes a deep breath before answering. “No, Ravage. It’s a simple cheek swab.” She stares him down. “Please do not under any circumstances jerk off at the facility.”
