Chapter 39 - The Billionaire Triplets Take New York

“Here we go,” Ava said as she plated scrambled eggs and sausage along with toast.

Setting large servings in front of the kids she hesitantly offered Silas a helping unsure if he would like such a simple meal. He had surprised her when he trailed them to the kitchen wrapping his arms around her as she cooked. Now he pulled her into his lap and held her as they ate the food she prepared. She leaned into his embrace enjoying his comfort.

“So what was up with that food anyway?” Theo asked as he spread jam on his toast.

“I have no idea,” Silas frowned. “But your grandmother will take care of it. She doesn’t abide rudeness.”

“Speaking of rude…who was that woman we had to wait for?” Sean asked. “Lost track of time, my ass.”

“Sean! Language,” Ava admonished.

“No. He’s right,” Silas said. “That was Jenna Ryker. Her father and mine are long time business associates.”

“Really? Because she walked in like she owned the place,” Theo snorted.

“She’s always been like that. I’m an only child and dad always wanted a daughter so he spoiled her.”

Alexis ate her meal mulling over his explanation wrinkling her nose as the scent of honey-suckle wafted from the kitchen door. She smirked but otherwise remained silent.

“Don’t worry about her,” Silas said. “She’s not important.”

“She is your childhood friend,” Ava said.

“The most important woman in my life is right here,” Silas squeezed her close kissing the nape of her neck and making her blush. “No one comes close…except Lexi.”

“As long as mom is first I don’t mind second,” Alexis chimed in making them laugh.

They lingered over the simple meal enjoying their private family dinner before heading upstairs to bed. The children’s rooms were across the hall and two doors down from their parents. Seeing the kids to their rooms Silas escorted Ava to their bedroom. With a sigh he set his phone on the bedside table and stepped into their private bathroom.

Ava stretched spying her luggage at the foot of the bed, “Silas, should I put my clothes in the closet or is there a dresser I should use?”

“What are you talking about?” he asked stepping back into the bedroom to see her suitcase sitting out.

His gaze suddenly grew cold as he marched to the bed and pressed a button on the intercom, “Joseph! I want you and the maids responsible for our rooms up here now!”

“Silas, it’s all right…”

“No Ava. It’s not.” He shook with rage pulling her into his arms. “I will not tolerate this.”

“Sir,” Joseph knocked before entering. Trailing him were two nervous maids.

“Are these the ones who thought it would be funny to disrespect my fiancée and their future Mistress?” Silas demanded.

“I’m not sure I…”

“You’re not sure? Isn’t it your job to manage the household?” Silas demanded. “How do you not know what your staff is doing? First dinner and now this!”

“Mom?” Alexis appeared in the door. “It’s getting loud over here. What’s up?”

“Nothing sweetie,” Ava insisted even as Theo and Sean joined their sister.

“Oh, they didn’t unpack your stuff either,” Sean noted. “Yeah, they did the same to us.”

Alexis nodded. She had tripped over her luggage walking the room to familiarize herself with the layout.

“You think my fiancée and children are going to live out of their suitcases like some vagabonds?” Silas demanded turning on the maids who hung their heads in terror. “Well? Answer me!”

“…N-no.” the maids cowered.

“Maybe we should just go home,” Theo said as the kids made their way to their parents’ bed to sit. “I mean, we’re already packed and at least Duncan knows how to do his job. The service here sucks.”

Joseph cleared his throat, “There is no need to worry. I shall rectify the situation immediately.”

“I would say so,” Alexis said with a smile. “We already informed Grandma. She’s on her way to deal with all of you herself.”

“Hope you have your resumes are in order,” Theo snickered.

“Joseph!” Opal yelled as she stormed into the room. “What is the meaning of this! Is there not a single person here capable of making my daughter-in-law and grandchildren comfortable and welcome in their own home!”

“Ma’am, it was only a small mistake.”

“Small? Small! First the kitchen staff tries to starve them and now I find out the maid staff is trying to drive them out!” Opal yelled. “Do you not know what family you are working for? Pack your bags every one of you! You’re finished here and if I have my way you’ll never work anywhere in this entire state!”

The maids hiccupped, tears running down their cheeks at Opal’s rage as well as her threat. To be dismissed by a prominent family spelled the end to their careers. No other family would hire them once word got out.

“Opal, please calm down,” Ava stepped forward to take her mother-in-law’s hands. “The children and I haven’t been harmed and it is the holidays. It is a time for charity and forgiveness, isn’t it?”

Opal sighed hugging her close, “You are too generous for your own good, my dear…but you’re not wrong.”

The tension in the room eased while the triplets observed their mother’s affect. Her kind heart often soothed many arguments and ruffled feathers as they had witnessed many times in the diner.

“Fine. They can keep their jobs…for now. But they are on probation. One more screw-up and they are done. And Joseph…”

“Yes ma’am?”

“That includes you,” Opal glared at the man who had been their head butler for two decades. “Get control of your staff or I will find someone who can.”

Joseph stiffened but nodded, “I shall see the situation is rectified immediately.”

“Don’t bother,” Theo snorted. “We don’t need charity from the likes of you.”

“It’s late,” Silas declared. “Ava and I will see to the kids so they can get some proper rest. We don’t need your assistance…any of you.”

The maids hesitated before fleeing. Joseph was not far behind his gaze lingering on Ava as she gathered her children like a mother hen. As unruly as the children acted they were always meek and obedient when it came to their mother. She never had to raise her voice to make them mind and they never argued. Joseph hadn’t thought much about her when she first arrived but she even managed to calm Opal. It seemed there was much more to her than met the eye.

“Come on you three,” Ava herded them back to their rooms while Silas and Opal watched marveling at her calm.

“She really is quite remarkable,” Opal said when they had gone.

“You don’t know the half of it,” Silas sighed. She never ceased to amaze him. “Do you think dad put them up to all of this?”

“Doubtful,” Opal shook her head. “He doesn’t pay much attention to the staff.”

“So you think they came up with the idea on their own?”

“Maybe. Although we can’t rule out Jenna’s influence.”

“She wasn’t even here.”

“She’s been strutting around here like a hen in a coop for years,” Opal reminded. “I’m sure some of the staff already considers her my successor.”

“You think the staff is loyal to her with that attitude of hers?”

“More like terrified,” Opal corrected. “Your father has been planning for you two to marry for years. She and many of the staff probably assume as much. Don’t think that hasn’t gone to her head.”

Silas snorted, “Ava is the only woman I would ever marry.”

“I know that,” Opal stressed. “Like it or not it’ll probably end up being a showdown between us and them.”

“Us and those two? You really think it’ll be that even?”

“Not including the staff…”

“You’re leaving out the most important players,” Silas said retrieving his phone. “There are a few things you should know.”

Opal took the phone he handed her reading the headline, “Scandal Rocks Carlisle Household?”

“Keep reading.”

“Oh my,” Opal gasped as she read the article. “Is all of this true?”

“It is but that’s not the important part,” Silas said. “Your grandkids wrote that article.”

“…They did?”

“They have no tolerance for anyone who hurts their mother. Father and Jenna have no idea who they are up against if they intend to stand in mine and Ava’s way.”

“Best be grateful they are on your side then,” Opal grimaced. “Go help Ava with the kids. I’ll unpack her things so you can all get to bed. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long week.”

“You’re not wrong.”

Silas headed to the boys’ room helping them unpack while Ava finished helping Alexis. Alexis had a system and pattern to the arrangement of her closet making it possible to identify her clothes and dress herself without aid. Once the boys were in bed Silas checked in on Alexis to see Ava tucking her in.

“Good night, mom,” Alexis chimed.

“Good night. Get some sleep.”

“That goes for you too,” Silas said hugging Ava before lifting her into his arms.

“S-Silas!”

“Sleep tight, peanut.”

“Right.” Alexis giggled as Silas carried her mother out the door.

“Really Silas, I can walk,” Ava laughed as he carried her back to their room.

“I am aware.”

He didn’t put her down until they reached their bed. Hovering over her he kissed her deeply. Her fingers ran through his hair and down his neck. Fumbling she undid the buttons of his shirt to reach his chest. With a groan Silas pulled back sucking in a breath.

“Ava, I won’t be able to stop if we go much further.”

“Did I say I wanted you to stop?”

“Ava…” Silas captured her mouth again.

She tugged on his shirt. Pulling away again he yanked it off before gently peeling hers off. With a satisfied sigh he undid her bra granting him access to her perfect mounds. Ava moaned as he hungrily sucked on one teasing her nipple until it was hard before moving to the other.

“…Silas…” Her body wiggled with pleasure.

He tugged off her leggings leaving her completely exposed as he stripped away the last of his clothes before covering her again. He kissed up her body finally reaching her mouth as his hard member pressed against her wet opening. Ava whimpered anticipating his entrance.

“Ava I won’t be able to go slow,” Silas whispered. After the events of the night his body craved release, to dominate and claim what was his.

“Then you’ll have to go fast,” Ava breathlessly whispered. “Fast and hard.”

A shudder wracked through his body at her suggestion before he plunged into her. Ava moaned. There was nothing gentle as he thrust into her, sliding out to thrust into her again. Her body rocked with his rhythm. The bed creaked and headboard bumped against the wall as he continued. Their hips grinded together as her back arched.

“Ah-yes! Silas, yes! Yes! Yes!” Ava clung to him as he drove into her.

He groaned with her cries of ecstasy ringing in his ears. His roommates used to discuss their sexual conquests and debated quiet partners over screamers. At the time the idea of a partner being loud in bed didn’t appeal to him but it was different now. Ava’s cries of pleasure only made him thrust harder wanting to hear more as her body melding itself to his. No one else would ever have her. She was his and only his.