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* * *
I’m sitting in the corner chair of our bedroom, my feet propped on the ottoman with my laptop on my legs. I’ve gotten much more work accomplished than expected. That’s probably because Bleu has been asleep for the last hour.
We aren’t home three hours when our first visitors arrive. Miraculously, the bell doesn’t wake my sleeping beauty. She must still be exhausted from the trauma her body has been through.
“Unfuckingbelievable,” I mutter beneath my breath as I get up. Who the hell is showing up unannounced?
I discover Ellison standing on the other side of my front door with Jamie holding what I assume are her bags. A lot of them. “Oh, good. You’ve already made it. I was afraid we might have beaten y’all home.”
Ellison walks past me and into the living room. “I love this decor. Understated class.”
She stands in the middle of the room, hands on her hips. “I know Bleu didn’t do the decorating but it’s totally her style. She doesn’t do froufrou.”
Jamie holds out two of Ellison’s bags for me to take. “Sorry. She wouldn’t let me call. She wanted her arrival to be a surprise.”
“Since when do you let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do?”
“Have you met her?”
Jamie already has her figured out. “Aye. Quite the princess.”
“I’d go with queen.”
“My apologies for putting her off on you these last few days.”
“She really wasn’t a problem. I enjoyed her company during our drives. She’s … interesting.”
“I couldn’t trust my wife’s sister to anyone but you or Leith. And frankly, I didn’t have a lot of confidence that Leith wouldn’t try to get into her knickers.”
“You’re wise for that. She’s a very fit lass.” Seems Jamie is taken by her beauty.
Ellison comes back into the foyer. “The guards from the hospital are here. In your apartment.”
“I extended their services to home. I don’t want Bleu to be without protection when I’m away at work.”
“But you’re here now. And so are they.”
“Their services are paid for, so I’m utilizing them.”
“I’m beginning to think there’s more to this mugging than anyone is telling me.”
Another smart MacAllister woman. “The mugger took Bleu’s purse so he knows where we live. This area of Edinburgh is known for being occupied by wealthy residents. He’ll know we have money and could possibly get ideas about coming back for more. I’m not taking any chances where Bleu’s safety is concerned.”
“That makes perfect sense. Looks like you can afford it, so why not?”
Ellison reaches to take her bags from Jamie. “I can get them.”
“It’s all right. I don’t mind taking them to the guest room for you.”
“Thanks.” Ellison grins and points at Jamie’s back as she follows him. She fans herself and mouths, “Hot!”
Ellison spins around in the entrance to the hall. “Is Bleu in bed?”
“Aye. She’s been asleep about an hour.”
“Then I’ll work on getting settled in while she’s napping. You’ll let me know when she wakes?”
“Sure.”
Jamie returns from the guest room alone. “All right. She’s all yours, mate.”
“Again, I appreciate you taking care of her for us.” I think he may have enjoyed it.
“Like I said, she was no problem.”
I motion for Jamie to follow me into the living room so Ellison can’t overhear our conversation. “Thank you for being sensitive to the fact that she knows nothing about the brotherhood.”
“I gave no thought to you marrying Bleu, but now I see why a marriage outside of The Fellowship is discouraged. It can become a problem quickly. That’s going to be a difficult charade to keep up.”
“It’ll be all right for a short time but Ellison has expressed interest in staying long-term.”
“That poses a bigger problem. How do you plan to handle that?”
I sit and Jamie joins me. I’m hopeful it’s a signal he has interest in Ellison staying. “We can’t hide The Fellowship from her if she stays. Bleu is considering telling her about us.”
“How would you pull off bringing a second American into The Fellowship?”
He’s right in assuming it would need to be handled in a diplomatic manner. My wife’s love for her sister won’t cut it. “The same way I brought Bleu in. Initiation. If she stays, I’m confident the right man will step forward and volunteer.”
Jamie’s never been in love. He doesn’t understand that it has no limits but I want the idea in his head so he can think about it. “A man will go to hell and back for the woman he loves. Trust me. I know what I’m talking about.”
“I wouldn’t know. I can’t think of a single woman within The Fellowship I’d consider dating, much less claiming or marrying.”
He should broaden his horizons. “There could be a new prospect soon.”
“Why would I consider Ellison when I know upfront that being with her means getting the hell beat out of me?”
“You can’t understand now because the feelings aren’t there. But when they are, it changes everything.” There would be no doubt in his mind.
“You forget I saw what Ferguson did to you. Some tingly feelings labeled ‘love’ aren’t going to make me unsee that.”
I hardly even remember the endurance now. “It wasn’t so bad.”
“Bullshit.”
I have something interesting for him to consider. “Think about this. No other brother has ever had Ellison. Whoever gets her would be the first. And last.”
He crosses his arms and sits back. Grinning. “I doubt any of us would be her first.”
I’m about to blow his mind. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Bleu was a virgin.”
He shakes his head. “You’re a fucking liar.”
I hold up my palm. “Swear to God. I’m the first and only man to ever have my wife.”
“A fucking virgin. I didn’t think those existed anymore.”
“Neither did I until she came along.”
“Seeing you happy with Bleu gives me hope.”
“It’s all in finding the right one. Your Mrs. Breckenridge is out there. You just have to find her.”
* * *
“It feels great to be home in my own bed with my husband by my side.”
“Agreed. It’s nice to not have your nurse standing over us bitching that I must get
out of your bed.”
Bleu lies beside me, her hands clasped over her tummy. “Read to me? I love listening to your accent.”
“Like my Scottish brogue, aye?”
“It’s hot.”
I clear my voice and read the growth and progress for week seven from the pregnancy book I bought Bleu when we found out she was pregnant. I’m amazed by the changes our babies are experiencing this week. And also Bleu’s body. Specifically her breasts.
I stop reading and look over at Bleu’s chest. “I have not had the opportunity to properly inspect those.”
She shimmies her gown up until both are bared and looks downward. “They’re definitely bigger.”
Yes, they are.
“They’re magnificent.” I reach out and palm one. But I’m not able to enjoy their new plumpness because my eyes are drawn to the purple bruises scattered over her body.
She’s battered from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. It’s nothing short of a miracle that our babies survived.
I look away because I can’t stand seeing her body like that. It’s evidence of how I didn’t protect her.
I finish reading and place the book on my nightstand. “That’s it until next time.”
“Is the weekly read about our babies growth going to be the highlight of my week while I’m limited to bed rest?”
“I hope not because that sounds damn bleak.”
“I might not be able to go and do but I can’t be idle.”
I have complete faith that Bleu can be productive from the bed. “Whatever you need, Bonny. I’m happy to get it for you.”
“I have some things in mind. First, I’m going to have Debra come by every few days so we can brainstorm about the investigation. Two heads are always better than one. And I have a project I want to begin planning for the women of The Fellowship. Self-defense. They need to learn how to protect themselves.”
She’s expressed interest in that before. I’m happy to know she wants to execute a plan. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
