silent until now. “Dude, boning the boss man’s daughter…” He laughed.
My nostrils flared with his comment. “Landry, I don’t appreciate that one bit. It’s not like that at all. Her father gave us his blessing and you will treat her with respect.”
Landry’s hands instantly rose. “Hey, sorry, man. I didn’t know you had feelings for her. Won’t happen again.”
“Better not, or you’ll have more than my voice to answer to.”
“No worries, man. You have my word.”
I dipped my head and heard my older brother’s raspy chuckle. “I can’t believe it. My brother got himself chained to a woman. And from that reaction, it looks like you are actually in love with her.”
“Just for the record, I don’t consider it chained and it was worth it to me. And it sure as hell should be to you.” I avoided the comment about being in love. That wasn’t his business.
Stanton cleared his throat. “Say that in five years and I might believe you. But thanks all the same. I do appreciate you taking one for the team.”
Landry slapped me on the back. “Congrats, bro. I’m happy if you’re happy.”
“So far I am. Her daughter is—”
Stanton pointed his finger at me. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. She has a daughter?” They both stared again, Stanton with brows up.
“Yes, and she’s incredible.”
“Hmm. Now I’m suspicious. Did they drug you or something? You always swore off kids.”
“That was before Easton.”
“Easton is the kid?” Landry asked.
“Yeah, and she’s hilarious. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”
Stanton’s eye roll and tight expression clued me in to what was coming. “Uh, about that. No offense, Tris, but kids aren’t my thing and frankly I’m shocked. How exactly did she wrangle you into this marriage?”
I ground my teeth at this. “That’s enough. I got married to save your asses, but I happen to like, really like the woman, and respect the hell out of her. She didn’t wrangle me into anything. It was my idea, if you recall. You’re the one who put the idea into my head. Now what’s gotten into you?”
Stanton shrugged. “I’m worried, I guess. I didn’t expect the woman you chose to have a kid.”
“Yeah, well, she does. This one’s different. Just give Easton a chance. And English, for that matter, before you jump to conclusions about her.”
Landry was more open-minded. “I will. I’ll teach the kid some computer games. She’ll like that. How old is she anyway?”
“Six. And we’ll need to run that by English.”
“What about riding? Does she like horses?” Landry loved to ride and was an expert at it. It might be something Easton would be interested in doing.
“I don’t know but we can ask. How’s Mother doing?”
Stanton huffed. “The same. She comes up here every afternoon to complain about money. It’s a good thing you aren’t around much. Then Ravina comes in and laments how she can’t find a job.”
“If she stopped thinking everyone was beneath her, maybe she could.”
“Tris, she hasn’t even looked,” Landry told me.
“Not a surprise. I’m going to have to kickstart her search.”
Stanton scratched his chin. “How?”
“I’ll look myself and send some things to her. Maybe she can work in one of the attorneys’ offices.”
The two of them chuckled. “The other women would strangle her,” Stanton said.
“Maybe it’s what she needs.” Something had to give. She couldn’t spend the rest of her life locked up in this mansion doing nothing.
“What she needs is a swift kick in the ass,” Stanton said.
He was exactly right about that.
Chapter Thirty-Five
English
After going through the security protocol at the hospital, we rode the elevator up to the floor Geepa was on. When we entered his room, I ran to his side and hugged him. “Geepa, I’m so sorry this happened. It’s my fault you’re here.”
“English, that’s nonsense and I’m fine. You are not to blame for the terrible actions of that man and his son. Now dry those eyes of yours and stop thinking like that.”
“I love you. Are you sure you’re okay?” My heart ached and soared at the same time. I was ecstatic to see him acting like his normal self, but I still bore the burden of responsibility on my shoulders for bringing this down on my family.
“Other than a slight headache from the concussion, I’m fine. I tried to get them to allow me to go home last night, but they took extra precautions.”
Banana patted his cheek. “I’m glad they did too.”
“Of course you are. You got to boss me around,” he said, winking at her.
Mom asked, “Has the