Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“I was supposed to keep Ty inside and occupied. I should have. It’s just you were out there alone with her. Mostly, I thought I could at least be with you for moral support. I made them promise to stay in the basement, but I should have known better. Ty was worried, it was oozing out of him,” I explain, guilt dripping from my words.
“Hey, look at me,” he says softly. I force my gaze to lift and he’s tenderly smiling down at me in a way that makes my heart flutter. “This is not on you. You were amazing with Ty. Fuck, Beau. Can’t you tell how proud I am to have you by my side?”
I frown. “I don’t really have experience with that kind of thing. I figure this is how you act around all your women,” I admit.
“All my women?”
“Well, yeah,” I say, trying to keep my body from tensing up. I’m not a shy woman, but I definitely feel uncomfortable and out of my depth right now.
“Harper, I don’t have women around my family or my child. Fuck, I don’t have women period. If I get off it’s a quick hookup with a club girl who knows the score and doesn’t expect anything the next morning and even that doesn’t happen that often these days. I haven’t even looked at a woman since the night I shared with you. I keep telling you, but I’m not sure it’s registering that I’m all in. That’s why my son is here along with me.”
“I think I’m getting that. You should know that it kind of scares the hell out of me,” I admit.
“You never need to be scared of me. I know I may need to work to prove that to you—especially after the way we started—but, I’m okay with that.”
“I’m not good at this. The one serious relationship I had was bad, Hunter. The man was psycho and somehow, I didn’t even see it until it was too late.”
“Does he still bother you?” he asks. I fight a smile because even I can see that he’s planning on hunting Colvin—my ex—down and making it clear that I belong to him. I can’t deny the pleasure I feel that Hunter would want to do that. I doubt it would matter to Colvin, however. After the way we ended, I’m probably the last woman he ever wants to see again.
“No. He’s in jail. He called a few times, but I never accepted the charges, so he gave up.”
“Good. What the fuck is he in jail for?” Hunter probes.
“That’s a large list and a conversation for another day, since your family is outside waiting on us, and I have to do breakfast dishes.”
“Did you even eat breakfast?” he grumbles, his forehead crinkling as if he’s trying to think back to remember if I had or not.
“A little,” I hedge. I did grab a piece of sausage before I came in here.
“Then, get dressed woman, I’ll go get you a plate if they left you anything—”
“I’m really not that hungry. I can pick something up on my way back from the police station.”
“We’ll see. I can’t believe I’m saying this but get some clothes on woman and I’ll go entertain our family.” My body locks tight, refusing to move as his words hit me.
“Hunter …”
“Family is family, Beau. We may have not been together, but it’s clear you are family. The difference is that now Ty and I come first over them. I don’t think you can even try to deny that.”
I stand up and as he rises beside me, pulling me back into his arms, I find I can’t. I close my eyes as his tenderness hits me. The enormity of what Hunter and I are embarking settles on my shoulders. Yet, when I look into his beautiful eyes it doesn’t feel heavy at all. If anything, I’m feeling hopeful for the first time since my father died.
I feel safe.
Chapter 19
Robin
“Robin Cabell,” the officer yells from the steel gate-like door.
I’m in a fucking cell with a bunch of drunks, hookers, and I’m not sure about a few. They don’t fall in the first category, but I’m smart enough not to question them either. It’s a holding cell for women—which is probably why there are more hookers than anything else. I get up, my head held high and looking at the other women in disgust. I don’t belong here. I’m going to make that bitch and Hunter pay for this shit. Once I get custody, I’ll make sure Ty does, too. How dare that little asshole turn his back on me, picking his father’s whore over me? There’s no way in hell I’m going to let that go unpunished.
“It’s your lucky day. Someone paid your bail.”
I’m stunned. I haven’t even called anyone. Hell, there’s no one to call. Maybe Ty begged Hunter to get me out. If so, then, maybe I won’t let him suffer that much once I have custody. After all, he’s older now. He could be a lot of help around the house. I can train him to clean some shit up.