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My peace was short-lived, though, because soon enough strong arms were reaching down and hauling me out of the water and onto the fluffy mat outside the tub. I stood shakily while Janus swiped my sopping hair out of my face.
“Don’t let that asshole get to you. You and me can march outta here any time you want. We don’t have to stay. I won’t let you be disrespected like that.”
I blinked up at him, which was easier once Milo handed me a towel to wipe my face. Did he really mean that? So it was about more than just one-upping his brother? “You would do that? Leave?” I whispered.
“No brainer,” Janus said, dropping a hand down to my belly. “Babe. We’re a family now.”
It meant everything to hear him say that. But I couldn’t rip him away from his brother. He’d stood by Leander all these years.
So I managed a smile as Milo helped wrap my wet hair. “I’m fine. As long as you two are by my side,” I reached out dripping hands towards both Milo and Janus, “I’ll be just fine.”
A grin exploded across Janus’s face and he leaned down to press a kiss to my forehead. Then he helped Milo enthusiastically dry me off and wrap me in a towel.
Just when I’d started to relax, the door banged open again, and Leander was back. It was clear from his pinched features that he was still pissed. “You know, I can’t believe I’m getting this kind of fucking disrespect from you, brother, when I went out of my way for you on this one. There’re lots of stunts and I got you on the contract as one of my doubles.”
Janus put his arm protectively around my shoulders and I clutched my towel tighter. “Getting to pretend to be you?” Janus rolled his eyes. “What a fucking honor.”
“On camera, you dipshit. Earning your own paycheck for once in your life instead of just living off my talent.”
Since Janus’s arm was around me, I could feel him tense up in anger at his brother’s words.
“Plus, it’s the kind of shit you love.” Leander tossed a hand out, rolling his eyes impatiently. “Driving fast cars. Jumping off buildings. Even riding a goddamn horse for one scene. You’re tired of living in the background and I’m giving you a chance to do what you love.”
Janus’s fingers clamped tighter around my shoulder. “Or you’re trying to keep me away from her.”
Leander’s eyes flicked my way but only briefly. It was like he couldn’t even look at me ever since I’d revealed I was pregnant. It hurt and pissed me off all at the same time.
“Maybe we could all use some breathing space,” Leander said. And before Janus could react with the angry retort I could feel in his body language, Leander continued, “Even Hope. Look at her. She’s pregnant and exhausted. At least with my plan she’d get some rest without you breathing down her cunt every second.”
“Yeah, cause being tied to a bed is so restful,” Janus said sarcastically.
“Do you want the job or not?” Leander bit back.
Janus’s arm around me squeezed and then relaxed as he breathed out. “Staying all together is still probably the best plan. For the moment, anyway.” Then he turned to face me. “You okay with going to Italy, babe?”
I was taken aback and touched at being asked. My own desires were so rarely, if ever, taken into consideration. I glowed at his care.
Until Leander butted in, that was. “She’s the publicist,” he snapped. “Of course she’s coming.”
“Don’t be an asshole,” Milo said shortly, and Leander looked surprised to be getting it from him too. But I smiled, warm from the two of them defending me. Leander needed to clue in that everyone could see his asshole-ish behavior from a mile away. Everyone except him, that was.
Leander just grabbed the door and backed away, glaring at all of us. “I don’t see anyone packing. It’s an hour forty-five till we leave now. If you’re not ready by the time I am, you can find your own damn ride to Venice.”
FIVE
HOPE
While the film would be shot in Venice, we were staying in nearby Padua, a little bit inland, on dry land. The boys were training the first month anyway.
I’d been a little disappointed when Milo explained their schedule to me on the way here, but when we arrived in Padua, my mind immediately changed.
The city felt like it had been transported from another time. All the buildings were beautiful burnt-orange terracotta, cream stucco, and brick. The streets were cobbled and ancient tiles. It felt magical. Colorful market stalls and porticos exploded with fresh fruits, pastries, and every delicious food you could imagine.
If only I didn’t feel like barfing every other minute.
It was a true tragedy to be in the country with the best food in the world and all I could manage to get down for most of the day was a few bites of bread and then maybe in the afternoon some tomato soup.
