Chapter 60

JUSTIN

Justin couldn’t believe the last six months. It had been a whirlwind.

Their contractor pulled in extra people, and the new additions to the clubhouse had just been finished.

All they needed was the final inspector’s report that was due tomorrow so they could move in the furniture that Avery had picked.

They were having a huge party on Saturday, and everyone was champing at the bit.

Avery had laid down the law about public sex, and while a few guys were pissed, once they heard that she had authorized another room for that, they were all in.

The men were very excited about the extra rooms, and she was right about adding even more on. They were filling up but still had guest rooms.

The shipping business was going really well with the Bianchis, and Justin really liked the way things were going. All the legit businesses were thriving, and the illegal ones were doing just as well.

With Cash’s help, they actually had to take the legit money and start investing in other things, like the damn stock market.

Who would have thought that a 1% club could be doing so well? Justin sure as hell hadn’t.

Kiki had the twins two weeks ago, and his niece and nephew were smaller but perfect. Kiki was doing well in recovery, and Mama June was there to help her get her footing on being a mom.

Mitch was exhausted but very happy and couldn’t wait to go home every night. His daughter, Hannah, was every bit a daddy’s girl like Lexi was, and Mitch loved it.

The nursery area that Avery added was definitely ready to be used. Avery and Kiki had even hired Nina to be the main caretaker for the kids.

Everyone really liked and trusted Nina the more Cole brought her around. He had asked her to be his old lady about a month prior, and she had taken to it like fish to water.

Justin looked around at the line of their transport trucks in the parking lot that were parked.

There was a prospect on the back of each one, and Avery was walking to each, getting the invoices and having them count and double-check the inventory so that everything was ready for move-in day.

Justin watched her as she moved, still so light on her feet despite being seven months pregnant. She only got more beautiful with each passing day, and Justin’s love for her grew just as much.

She had no lasting effects from “that day,” as they called it, other than a few nightmares.

He had been sure she would feel guilty or need help processing after attacking those women, but when he asked, she simply replied that she was protecting her family.

And she was a fierce mama bear when she had to be. Justin would never forget the day that they had to go into Lexi’s school when the teacher said Lex was causing trouble.

Avery had been noticing that Lexi was reading more and more at home, and they would go to the library often to get more books.

When Avery asked how school was going, Lexi said that it wasn’t as much fun as her other school. Before Avery could process it, they got the call to come in for a conference.

The teacher was snippy and told them that Lexi was going to start losing recess time if she couldn’t get herself under control.

Avery didn’t take too kindly to that and asked what the teacher was doing to help prevent the problem. The teacher replied that Lexi was not using her time wisely and would get the other kids off task.

“So what are Lexi’s grades like?” Avery asked, already knowing the answer.

“She had all A’s,” the teacher replied.

“Then how is she not using her time wisely?” Avery asked.

“Because she keeps riling up the other children!” the teacher replied.

Avery’s hormones were starting to get the best of her, and she took a deep breath before she continued.

“I know, Mrs. Johnson, that this is not your first year teaching, but did you ever think for one second that she is bored and needs more challenging work?”

Mrs. Johnson snorted. “I don’t think so. I pride myself in being able to read those signals.”

“Well, you need to get your eyes checked!” Avery retorted. “Do you know that Lexi is reading chapter books?”

“What?!” the teacher asked.

“I take her to the library two or three times a week to get new books. She reads them to me, and I ask comprehension questions that she answers in great detail,” Avery informed her.

Mrs. Johnson narrowed her eyes as she took in the younger woman. “And you do have any education or teaching experience to know what good comprehension questions would be?”

Justin knew this wasn’t going to end well, especially with the pregnancy hormones surging through her veins, and he whispered, “Fuck,” under his breath.

“Actually, I am a licensed teacher and had Lexi in my class last year, so I am well aware of what she is capable of,” Avery almost snarled.

The teacher bristled a little in her chair. “Well, since you do have some experience, I guess I can request a GT testing to see where she is at.”

“No, there is no ‘I guess,’ you will do it. I will contact the principal tomorrow and make the official request.

“In the meantime, how about if you give her some more challenging work and see how she does with it,” Avery stated in an unforgiving tone.

The teacher looked from Avery to Justin and back again. “I’ll have some things put together.”

Avery nodded and stood up. “Thank you. Please let us know if you have any further issues. We will certainly take care of them at home,” and turned to leave.

Justin could do nothing but follow. He watched her stomp out of the building and to the new SUV that she’d had for a few months.

She wasn’t totally comfortable driving it yet, after her tiny little car, but she was coming around.

She threw open the door and was going to get in when Justin grabbed her arm. “Whoa, baby, calm down!”

“The nerve of that woman! Who does she think she is?” Avery fumed as Justin wrapped his arms around her and chuckled.

“Obviously someone who never got in your way!”

“Seriously, Justin, she is the reason why lots of kids hate school. They just want to go through the day and not care about the actual children and what they need!” Avery almost yelled.

“Well then I guess our kids and the kids that they will be in class with will be better off with you in their corner.” Justin smiled.

“Don’t get me wrong, there are a LOT of great teachers out there, I had some amazing ones. That’s why I wanted to be a teacher, to be like them.

“It’s just the ones that are waiting for retirement and burned out that irk me,” Avery said, trying to calm down as Justin rubbed her arms.

“I know, baby, you don’t have to justify it to me,” he replied, then rubbed the bump she had been sporting for a few weeks.

“But I have to say that after that display of mama bear you just did, I am totally hard for you right now. Turned me on bad!” Justin purred.

Avery raised an eyebrow. “Really? Horny, huh?”

Justin smirked and kissed her passionately.

“Then I guess we should do something about that. Let’s go to your quiet place.”

Justin growled, “I’ll follow you,” then fondled his wife’s ass before she climbed into the vehicle and started it. He followed her and they made good use of the blanket he always had in his saddle bags.

Justin was knocked out of his walk down memory lane when he heard Lexi and Ryan jump out of Nick’s mom’s car and run to Avery.

They both hugged her tightly then Lexi kissed her belly like she always did.

Lexi had been beyond excited when they told her she was going to have a brother or sister and wanted to be there every step of the way.

They even took her to the five-month ultrasound, and she was mesmerized by the images.

She was a little miffed when they didn’t find out what they were having, but the little one wasn’t cooperating and wouldn’t let anyone see. So they had to wait until he or she was born.

Justin couldn’t hear what the three were talking about, but they all were laughing, and it made him really happy.

“Still blows my mind to see the great Justin Mariner with a wife and a baby on the way,” Stevo said behind him, making him jump.

“If I’m honest, still shocks the shit out of me,” Justin admitted, chuckling, making Stevo laugh.

“What’s up, Stevo?” Justin asked, slapping his brother on the back.

“Got a weird call from the lawyer’s secretary. Said that you needed to call him right away,” Stevo said.

“Didn’t say why?” Justin asked, confused.

“Nope. Bills are up to date and haven’t needed them in a while. Things have been quiet,” Stevo added.

Nodding his head, he said, “All right.” He pulled his phone out to call their lawyer. He waited on hold for a few minutes before he heard his voice.

“Hey, Justin, thanks for calling me back,” he said.

“No problem, Chuck. What can I do for you?” Justin asked.

“I just found out this morning. Your dad is getting early release for good behavior,” Chuck explained.

Justin was shocked and looked at Stevo with wide eyes. “You shitting me?”

“Not at all,” Chuck laughed. “He has been on his best behavior for a while now.”

Justin laughed, knowing he was right. His dad had been different since Justin had come to him about Avery.

He was instantly in love with her when Justin took her to meet her. And he was even more excited to know that he was going to have another grandchild.

Justin was surprised by his reaction but wasn’t going to question it. He knew all too well how things could change.

“So when is the big day?” Justin asked.

“Tomorrow,” Chuck answered.

“Fucking seriously?” Justin asked, looking at Stevo, who was confused just hearing one side of the conversation.

“11 a.m., Justin. Need to list an address for him to live at for paperwork,” Chuck said.

“Put down mine and we will figure it out from there. Thanks, Chuck, I really appreciate it,” Justin replied, and they hung up.

“What’s up, Prez?” Stevo asked, feeling nervous.

“Pop is getting out, tomorrow,” Justin answered.

“Holy shit! That’s, what, two years early?” Stevo exclaimed.

“Yeah, I know! I guess good behavior is the reason,” Justin chuckled.

Stevo raised an eyebrow. “Good behavior, or our DQ charming another member of the brotherhood?”

Justin looked at him. “What do you think?”

Stevo nodded his head in understanding.

“Can you guys handle the inspection tomorrow? I all of a sudden have a shit ton of stuff to do!” Justin asked.

“Go get things ready for Dylan. We got all this shit handled, brother,” Stevo assured him.

Justin started walking toward his daughter and wife, wondering how different things would be starting tomorrow.