Chapter 96

She was so in love with this boy. “You’re such a sweet talker, Ryder Godson.”

His eyes lit up as he grinned at her. “Told you, babe . . . I’m good at everything I do. That will include feeling you up and making you tremble beneath my hands before your cute, clumsy ass stumbles into the house as you try to act like you don’t need to change your panties.” “Again”—she laughed—“such a sweet talker.”

Kingston glared over the rim of his glass at Ryder as they sat at the dining room table. She hadn’t expected Ryder to stay for dinner, but her bad boy was making himself right at home, and Sylvia was all too pleased to spoil him in place of David.

“What did you say, boy?” Kingston’s low, dangerous tone only caused a faint smirk to tease Ryder’s lips.

“I said, if those fuckers are caught staring at her delicious ass again, I’m breaking faces.” Ryder winked at Jane. “Want me to get a personalized sticker for your sweet cheeks? Property of Ryder Godson?”

She facepalmed as Kingston exhaled loudly through his nose.

“Are you really this dumb?” Kingston asked him.

“What are you talking about, old man?” Ryder’s brow furrowed, but as Ryder squeezed Jane’s thigh under the table, she knew he was messing with Kingston. “I’m starting to worry about your smarts since you keep forgetting my sexy ass is being tutored by your sexier stepdaughter.”

Sylvia giggled as Kingston’s face reddened. “I think you’re experiencing karma, son. Do you remember when Aurelia’s father overheard you praising her backside?”

Bright red. “Mother.” Kingston shot a glare at her at the mention of David’s mother. “This is not the same.”

“Sure isn’t,” Ryder piped as he served himself another slice of lasagna. “I’m man enough to tell you to your face my Jane’s a smokin’ hottie. No need to eavesdrop on me, Pops.”

“Stop calling me Pops and Old Man,” Kingston snapped, yanking the serving dish away from

Ryder. “And stop eating my food.”

“He calls David Papi,” Jane threw out there as Ryder opened his mouth to fire back something, no doubt, inappropriate.

Her bad boy tossed her a wink. “He’s Papi, but I’m King Daddy, babe.”

Kingston rested both elbows on the table before cradling his head, full-on frustration. “And Eric picked you?”

“Of course, he picked me,” Ryder said before taking a huge bite. He swallowed it faster than Jane expected him to and added, “I think I should spend the night.”

Kingston’s head snapped up so fast it popped. “Finish your meal and get home, boy. I can change my mind about you getting visits.”

Ryder grinned, taking another bite. “You can, but you won’t. You’ve already accepted there’s no parting her from me.”

Surprisingly, Kingston didn’t reply. He simply stuffed his mouth as his mother smiled and sipped her tea.

Jane wasn’t sure what Ryder was thinking, but she knew this playful side of him was all for her benefit. His hand settled higher on her thigh, though he carried on eating without difficulty.

“I’ll have to skip seeing you tomorrow,” he said, shifting his gaze from Kingston to her. “I’m going to practice . . . Scouts,” he explained.

“Oh,” she said, sighing as tingles spread out from his touch.

He squeezed, sliding his finger between her thighs. “Sorry, babe.”

She fixed a smile on her face. “It’s okay. Will you come the next day?”

“I think so. I wanted to take you to a club I’m a part of. He”—Ryder inclined his head toward

Kingston—“said I could.”

Her thoughts immediately darted to his secret fighting. Like a fight club, and though she was afraid to watch him fight, she was happy he was trying to teach her about himself.

Kingston cleared his throat. “I did. I’m leaving work early tomorrow, so I’ll pick you up tomorrow, Jane.” He shared a secret smile with his mother. “There’s something I want to show you.” “Better not be some punk you think can show me up,” Ryder muttered.

Kington grinned. “My, my, he can be a frightened little boy, after all.”

Ryder glared at him. “Ask Jane if I’m a little b—”

Jane covered his mouth. “Ryder!”

Jane followed Kingston into the unmarked building. “This isn’t where you reveal you’re a spy and you are having my identity erased so I can’t see my boys, is it?”

Her stepfather looked at her like she was insane. “Your imagination astounds me.” He then pushed open a heavy door and motioned for her to enter.

She gasped, covering her mouth as she took in the wooden floors, mirrored walls, and mounted ballet barre. “You made a ballet studio?” Her eyes darted around the room, and she startled when a figure stood in the corner where a white baby grand piano sat. No, it was two figures. Two men.

Kingston put a hand on her back to soothe her. “I can only credit for urging you to accept their gift.

Thank him for this.”

“My queen.” Luc stepped into the light first, lowering his head in greeting. “I might have insisted Archer spill any secrets he had on you, as I know he sees more than he lets on. I already owned this building. It was no trouble to convert it into a private dance studio for you.” “Overnight?” she asked even with the lump in her throat.

“I told you,” he said, his voice dripping with confidence, “power and maturity, Jane.”

She smiled, awed when he gave her a real smile in return. It was then the second man stepped forward. “Tercero,” she whispered, taking him in. As usual, he wore all black, and his hair untied so that it hung just past his shoulders. Damn.

His expression was the same as it always was when he saw her. Empty except for the faint smirk like he knew she was watching him. “Jane,” he said, doing the same bow with his head Luc had done. She’d never get over the propriety of these two. “My generous big brother informed me of your little secret. I admit I’m ashamed, as even I did not know this about you. If I had, we might have had the pleasure of knowing one another sooner.”

She was confused, and it must’ve shown on her face.

He gestured to the room. “I dance. Quite well.”

Luc sighed, and she grinned returning her focus to him even though she still let her adoration for Tercero’s confession show.

Her elder Godson boy—man-boy—cast her a look of annoyance as he said, “Archer explained you stumbled from time to time.” He watched her face flush without any change in his expression as her embarrassment grew. “He told me you dance beautifully, but you still needed instruction. I thought you must be uncomfortable around traditional instructors. So, I am providing you with the one you will not refuse.”

“Thank you, Luc.” She smiled for him again, pleased when he shook his head at her. He didn’t like sharing, but he was. “So, who plays?”

Tercero motioned to Luc. “Big brother, of course.”

Jane wasn’t expecting that, but she should’ve known when the piano was white. “I don’t normally play music in the dark—so no one knows I’m outside. I dance to the melodies in my head.”

Luc tugged his sleeve as his gaze skirted toward the piano. “You have a Bluetooth speaker at your disposal. Play whatever you like. When I am present, however, I’d like to watch you dance to the music I create for you.” Oh jeez.

Kingston cleared his throat, drawing her attention to him. “Ryder is not to be informed of this, Jane. Nor is David, as I’m certain Ryder has let you call him without my permission. Don’t forget you are still in trouble for your behavior.”

She sobered up, her guard rising instantly. “I don’t want to keep things from Ryder. And, yes, I’ve talked to David. I don’t see how letting me see them is part of my punishment. So, what is this?”

His blue eyes seared her skin. “Jane, I’m still trying to understand everything. I want you to see all your options.”

“He wants you to know you can choose one of us and still be happy,” Tercero said, amused.

Her jaw dropped. “You’re pitting them against Ryder and David?”