Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 39
It All Adds Up
Trevor
I’ll have to thank LaSalle and Tasha for sending Donna away before I could get my hands on her. Collen arrived just in time to get her drunk ass off my family’s property.
Snacks said she let it slip that Cakes and I are engaged. Donna started drinking after that. Then she got pissed at the kids for no reason and forced them into the car to drop them off.
I know in my bones she came to start some shit. The one thing to keep me from leaving that barn to choke the shit out of that woman and wait for the cops to come get us both was that fact that I have the woman I want, and she might be carrying our child.
When I almost knocked Cakes down in my rage, I snapped out of it. I could have hurt her and our unborn child. I’m tired of hurting her, hurting us.
“I love you, Miss Lynn. I’m so glad you’re gonna be our mama,” Scoot says as Lynn throws a blanket over him.
The kids all wanted to sleep in the living room together. Snacks was shaken up until she fell asleep not too long ago. I’m still pissed off. This was too far.
It’s one thing to fuck with my life and to mess with the love of my life. To place my innocent children in harm’s way is another thing. Donna is a monster.
Lynn brushes Scoot’s hair back and kisses his forehead. “I love you too. It will be an honor to be your mama. You go to sleep now. I promise it’s going to get better.”
My heart nearly bursts with joy as I watch this woman with my children. Her heart is so big. She didn’t have to accept any of my children. Yet she’s come to love all four, and they love her the same.
“Don’t worry, Daddy.”
I turn to look at Jess as she comes to my side with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. My heart breaks again for her ruined day. Of all my children, Jessica has been through the most.
“She will never hurt you or any of us again. You always deserved so much better. If she doesn’t care about our lives, why should we care about hers?
“She’s gonna get what’s coming to her. Enough is enough. I’m protecting my family,” she says almost to herself.
I pull her into a hug and kiss the top of her head. She wraps her arms around me and squeezes me tight. I hold on tighter as she begins to sob.
“This ain’t your burden, darlin’. Daddy made a mistake, and I’m so sorry you’ve paid for it. Hush now. Don’t waste your tears,” I choke out into her hair.
“But you didn’t. This isn’t your fault—” She cuts off and blows out a breath. “You know what? It’s late. Can we talk in the morning?”
“Sure thing, baby girl. I’ll make you breakfast after my run.”
“Uncle Brad told me how you thought you’d never walk right again in your life. He told me how hard you worked to get back to using that leg as if nothing ever happened.
“One day it will be the same when it comes to my mama. It will be like she never happened. Monroes are strong, we can take a loss and come back pushing. I love you, Daddy,” she says and lifts on her toes to kiss my cheek.
“I love you too, Jess.”
She turns and goes to cuddle with her little sister as they all lie around the living room. Lynn comes over and places her hand on my chest. I look down into her eyes, not able to say what I’m thinking.
“Come on, let’s get you to bed,” she says and nods her head toward the bedroom.
“You go on. I want to kiss them goodnight one more time,” I say.
“Okay, take your time.”
I peck her lips and watch her go before I turn to my children and go to tuck them in. Bam is knocked out snoring. The sight brings a smile to my face. I kiss the top of his head.
Turning I look down at Scoot. Toby has a hot temper like mine. I’m glad he didn’t see me fully lose it today.
My eyes burn with unshed tears. She could have killed my babies. I drop to my knees and wrap my arms around my son.
He has so many dreams and things he wants to do with his life. She could have taken all of that away from him so carelessly. Not because she loves me and is hurt that I’ve fallen for someone else, but because she lost access to my money, to me.
Pulling myself together, I stand and kiss the top of his head before moving over to do the same with Jess and Paige. I take one last glance around the room and thank God all my babies are still breathing.