Page 34 of Mitch

“Well, what else would you call us?”

Pax twirled her hand. “Anything but that. It makes us sound like footballer’s wives, or worse, Waggs’ harem.”

Callie giggled as her eyes went wide, her hand covering her mouth. “Oh my god, I hadn’t even thought of that. Yeah, we definitely need a new name.”

Autumn had never had an encounter like this, but she liked Bebe and Aubrey and if they all knew each other, then it had to mean something. “So, you all know each other well?”

“Pax and Evelyn work together, but they were super kind when I met Reid. Then we pounced on T when she met Liam. Our men are amazing, and I love Reid to death but having these three as friends has been one of the best things to come from everything that happened.

“What happened?” Autumn sat and leaned forward as her natural curiosity won out.

“I had a crazy stalker and got kidnapped but Reid and Eidolon saved me.”

“Oh my god, that’s awful.”

“Yeah, but it was nothing compared to what Taamira went through.”

Autumn looked to the Princess who was wearing a deep pink kaftan with gold edging, pale gold trousers that fitted to her ankles, and ballerina pumps.

“We all have stories that start badly. It is why we know how important it is to have friends. You are one of us now, so if you need anything, then we are here for you.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Autumn grinned, the sense of belonging strengthening with every day she spent in the company of these people.

“So, Mitch, huh? He’s a handsome devil and such a sweetheart too.”

“He’s amazing. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t met him.”

Pax looked her dead in the eye. “You would have survived, it’s what women like us do.”

Autumn returned her gaze, understanding these women were privy to her background and didn’t care. She didn’t feel the overwhelming urge to hide or run; she felt safe and surrounded by people who understood on a deeper level what she was going through.

“Maybe.”

“So, what can we do to help you get sorted?” Taamira glanced at the boxes and then at the baby station. “How about I build that before this little one wakes up?”

“Uh, yes, if you like.”

“Callie, you and I can make a start on these boxes of filing while Evelyn goes and sorts lunch.” Pax was like a drill sergeant, but in such a way you didn’t realise it until it was too late.

“Why do I have to sort lunch?” Evelyn glared at Pax with her hands on her hips and Autumn spied the dynamo beneath the small but sexy exterior.

“Because you can use your wiles on that man of yours to whip us up something nice.”

“He’s busy on a call.”

Pax laughed the sound rich and full. “Use your imagination.”

“I’ll try.” Evelyn closed the door as she left the room.

Callie laughed. “They are so having office sex.”

Autumn slapped her hand over her mouth as she tried not to laugh. “No.”

Callie nodded. “Oh yeah, this place is a hotbed of sweaty sex when one of us visits. You wouldn’t believe how much fun the gym can be when nobody is here.” Callie winked, and Autumn’s mind went to Mitch, the image of them together filling her head.

Autumn lifted her hand from the desk, wondering if anyone had partaken on there.

“Oh, don’t worry, nobody has been in here. This was Ambrose’s office. Nobody has used it since he died.”

Autumn’s belly clenched at Taamira’s words. “Someone died?”

“A few years ago, now. He was Jack’s second and was killed in an attack. When Alex accepted his role, he took another office because nobody was ready to deal with the fact he was gone.”

“I feel awful being in here now. I can move to another space.”

Taamira shook her head, her long silky black hair swaying. “No, it is time, and Liam thinks it is a good idea. Ambrose had been his best friend since childhood,” she added at Autumn’s look of confusion.

She’d no time to ask further questions as Maggie woke up and the room became a hotbed of cooing from the women and shy smiles from Maggie.

Much, much, later, Evelyn came back with plates of brie and apricot chutney sandwiches as well as fruit scones with jam and cream. The women—including Autumn—broke out in laughter when they saw her t-shirt was on backwards, confirming their earlier assumption.