ESTELLE
Since Dad’s release from the hospital, I hadn’t gone home. I wanted to make sure my iron had improved before I went home. Dr. Chesca endorsed me to a good doctor here in London. On the other hand, Dad was recovering very well, and the local police had our statements.
Linden didn’t take our safety for granted. I felt like I woke up surrounded by his squad. He also hired his men from HQ in London to keep us under close watch.
Micah followed me here. Willa took a chance to visit us while she was here in the U.K. for an art exhibit.
Sometimes, it was hard to shake off what happened in Dad’s house dining room, but I tried not to let that terrible experience shake me. The backyard had the best lawn, though. It was a good space for an English tea time.
“What do you think they are talking about?”
“I don’t know. Business, stock market, cryptocurrencies?” I looked at Willa and then to the other table where Dad, Moses, Tate, Linden, and Striker seemingly conversed earnestly.
“Can you read lips?” Willa asked Micah.
“Not in my job description, but I try.” She looked intensely at Tate since we could only see the backside of Moses and Striker while Dad was on their left. “Pussy?”
“What?” Shocked, Mom, Willa, and I asked in unison.
“Well, I am not sure.”
“Why would they talk about pussies?” Mom asked, amused.
“I don’t know, Mrs. Moore.”
“You’re terrible at reading lips, Micah.” Willa tried hard not to burst out laughing. “I think they’re talking about money.”
“Well, look at him. When he smiles, he lights up in the dark.”
I looked at Mom, then followed where she was looking, at my husband. “You didn’t just say that with his sister sitting next to you.”
“Why? What’s wrong with a mother-in-law appreciating her daughter’s husband? I think it’s a rare gem.”
“And I agree, Mr. Linden is actually an American version of Henry Cavill. If he’s gay, he is Ricky Martin and David Corensweet at his younger age,” Micah said, making me shake my head.
“Look at that jawline, honey.”
“Are you two done?” My jaw dropped as I stared at Mom while Willa shook as she laughed silently.
“Look at him, Estelle.” Micah wasn’t nearly done. She pointed her lips at Linden, who didn’t have any clue we were talking about him. “Those biceps. His beard adds the gritty, dirty Superman hot vibe. Right, Mrs. Moore?”
“Yeah. Those eyes. I hope my granddaughter gets his eyes.”
“Mom, what’s wrong with my eyes?”
“And the height.” Mom ignored me.
“My niece will still be pretty if she gets your looks, Estelle.”
“Well, thank you very much, Willa. At least you appreciate my beauty.”
“Does he work out a lot?” Micah followed.
“What’s wrong with you both?” My brows furrowed at them, but they didn’t seem to care. I thought they were just messing with me.
“I’m here pretending I didn’t hear these two. I mean, you two adults admiring my brother sounds amusing and silly at the same time,” Willa said.
“Look, honey.” Mom forced me to look at my husband.
I rolled my eyes before I turned to look at him. He was smiling at something Moses said. His eyes, though, twinkled. He did not just laugh. He also looked happy. And yeah, Mom was right. His jawline was prominent, adding beauty to him.
I knew Linden was handsome and had beautiful eyes. Those were the first things I noticed in him, and he just had that rugged and rough around-the-edge look, and for me, he was perfect with his imperfection.
I didn’t know I was smiling the whole time until he just caught me ogling at him. Linden smiled back and winked at me, making my face heat in embarrassment.
“Oh, my God!” Micah gushed. “Did you just blush? You still blushed?” She held Mom’s arm with wide eyes. “Mrs. Moore, are you seeing this? They’re already married, and she still blushes? How cute is that?”
“My daughter is in love. She never felt this way before.”
“Obviously,” Micah seconded.
“My brother is madly in love with her too. That’s why they’re perfect for each other.”
“Does a couple still have sex even if the woman is pregnant?”
“Are you kidding me?” Mom turned to Micah. “Of course, pregnant women are horniest when they’re pregnant.”
“Mom, stop it.” I widened my eyes at her. Again, my opinion didn’t matter. I knew what she was doing. She wasn’t trying to embarrass and make fun of me.
“What’s wrong with that? I mean, the baby is safe, duh.” Willa sipped her tea.
“I saw a meme about, you know,” Micah began with a joke. “So I was wondering if getting pregnant while pregnant is possible.”
“So what is it like? I will have two babies in my uterus, one with five months, and the other is still a zygote?”
“Wow. She knows zygote.” Micah burst into laughter.
“I have biology classes,” I tried depending on myself, but they just laughed.
“Okay, tell me, how many nerve endings are in a human penis?”
“Well, I don’t know. How many, Willa?” I couldn’t help but laugh when suddenly, our topic went to the penis. I hoped Linden couldn’t read our lips because I would be mortified. Our voices echoed throughout the entire place.
“Oh, my God. Is it a hundred? A thousand?” Micah’s face was red. Mom had teary eyes, while Willa had to stand up and walk.
“If you don’t stop, I’ll pee on the chair.” I laughed so hard I had to press my thighs and hold my abdomen.
“Why do you think it’s sensitive?” Willa came back, still trying to hold her laugh, but she struggled to put it together when another laugh from Micah and my mom erupted.
We suddenly caught the other table’s attention.
“Girls, we’re in trouble.” I composed myself in my seat when all eyes were on us, including the guys on duty.
“You girls are having fun.” I was surprised to see Linden was already standing before me. “Care to share with me?”
My eyes widened. “No.”
“Why not?”
“What did you talk about over there?”
“Boring stuff.” He leaned down to kiss me on my forehead.
“Aren’t you two adorable?” It was Mom.
“Deirdre, she wouldn’t tell me what made you girls laugh.”
“Oh, we’re talking about how many nerve endings you guys have down there.”
“Mom?” My face burned.
“Oh. I see.” Linden looked at my mother first before he turned to me. His eyes glinted. “That’s your assignment for tonight, baby.”
“Can I ask you, Mr. Linden?” It was Micah.
“No,” Willa and I replied in unison, causing Linden’s brows to meet.
“Sure,” he said.
“Do you guys feel weird when someone discusses female anatomy?”
“Yeah, I guess so. Why did you ask?” Before anyone could answer, he chuckled, “You girls were talking about male anatomy all this time of the day?”
“No, honey. We were only talking about you. Your wife apparently disagreed with me and Micah that you are handsome.”
Linden faked his sad face. “I know, Deirdre. Your daughter is only after my body, not my face.”
“You’re unbelievable.” I hit him on his arm.
“We actually hope your baby girl’s face got it from you.”
“Mom, you’re terrible.”
“My wife is gorgeous. I mean, that’s the first reason I declined the job offer aside from I don’t do field work anymore because I knew I would be in trouble and failed my assignment.”
“Really?” My heart skipped a bit.
“Wait, baby. You didn’t believe me when I said a million times that you’re beautiful?”
“No. I thought guys would always say something girls wanted to hear to get into our pants.”
“I’m not those guys. I say what’s on my mind and in my heart.”
“You’re such a gentleman, Mr. Linden.”
“I’m of many things, Micah, but a gentleman is not one of them.”
Micah giggled.
“I think you drank a lot of English tea, Micah.” Linden laughed. “Wait. You’re single, right?”
“I’m bi.”
“No, you’re not,” I told her in surprise.
“I’m straight, but I’m enjoying watching romance movies, and you guys, I lost interest in finding romance for myself.”
“Wow. Sure, I’ll find one for you,” Willa suggested.
“Baby—” My words were cut short when his phone rang. “Hold on second, my love.”
“Young love.” Mom and Micah giggled again, making me frown.
“I think you two shouldn’t meet often. There’s something weird going on when you sit next to each other,” I told Mom and Micah.
“What? How did that happen?” Linden caught my attention. Everyone turned their attention to him. “Fu— Thank you for letting me know.” He hung up the call. His eyebrows frowned as he looked at the screen on his phone.
“What’s wrong?”
“Klayton is dead.”