AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She will always be your little girl, sweetheart. We’ll remember her any way you want. Anytime you want.”
His words bring pressure over my heart, but for the first time in forever, it’s not a suffocating pressure. It’s reassuring. He’s reassuring me that we will get through everything… together.
“I used to secretly wish she was yours. I knew you’d love her like a father should, play dress up with her, brush her doll’s hair, have tea parties.” I shrug and look at our joined hands. “Anyway, thank you for helping me to get a good sleep last night.”
Clark clears his throat. “No thanks needed. I’ll go and get you some breakfast. Take your time to get a shower and get ready. Give me a shout if you need any help.”
I take in a deep breath and nod.
Clark leans over to place a gentle kiss on my forehead. He walks over to the door, looks over his shoulder, and smiles at me. “For what it’s worth, I wish Daisy was mine, too.”
I watch as he leaves and closes the door. I stare at the closed door for the longest time ever. His words are on repeat in my head.
It’s hard because I’ve always dreamed about what Clark and I might have had. Now I’ve got to try and move forward. I know I’ll always have him as my friend, but that will never be the same as what I dreamed of.
Chapter 14
Clark
“Morning, guys,” I say to everyone standing around my breakfast counter.
It’s weird having a full house of men, eating at my counter, taking over the place. It has been me, Nancy, and Jared for as long as I’ve lived here. Occasionally, Damien stayed here.
Nancy’s in her element, feeding and catering to everyone’s needs. It’s good to see her so at home. I wish I had more to offer her, but she won’t give up her work here.
“How’s Kally?” asks Damien as he pushes a cup of coffee over to me.
“Not great pain-wise, but she’s holding up. She had a good sleep last night, or better than she’s had in…”
My blood runs cold every time I think of her not sleeping because of fear.
“Does anyone need me for anything? I’m going to take a shower and get changed. Nancy, can you fix breakfast for Kally?”
“Of course.” Nancy busies herself around everyone.
“We’re all good.” Clay stands up from his stool and walks over to me. “We’re taking today’s security detail. Chris is going on the gates with your two guys. Caleb is going to be Kally’s security detail since she seems more comfortable with him, and I’m going up on your rooftop balcony. It seems like a good spot to look over the area. We have two of your guys and Liam, our last guy, doing a walk around the perimeter.”
“You seem to have everything covered.”
“We’ve got your back. Chris will get you an earpiece and panic button set up on your cell. If you need back-up, you just need to push it and it will tell us your location.”
“Cool.” I take my cell from my pocket and hand it over to Clay. They can do what they like if it keeps Kally safe. “I’ll only be ten minutes.”
I walk away from everyone. A sudden wave of overwhelming emotion washes over me. I need a few minutes to get my head straight. Today won’t be easy. No funeral is. But a child’s… well, it’s going to be an experience for us all. One I never wanted to face.
I walk into my room and close the door. I slide my back down until my ass hits the ground. I lean my head in my arms and close my eyes.
Last night was beautiful. I finally had Kally tucked up in my arms, exactly how we used to spend our weekends growing up. We were happy watching a stupid chick flick, and then we woke up this morning and it feels like the weight of the world is hanging over us. The big, black storm clouds are ready to burst open at any moment, and I don’t know how to take the woman I love and get the fuck out of the way. We’re stuck in the middle, waiting to see how it plays out.
***
I’ve hidden in my room for as long as I’ve been able to. I tighten my tie and walk slowly from my room.
Caleb is sitting in front of Kally on the table in the conservatory.
“He knows what you guys are going through, kind of.” Clay steps out from the kitchen and squeezes my shoulder. “His fiancée was kidnapped, raped, and beaten for a year. He blamed himself for everything Aria went through. Aria gave birth to her rapist’s baby over a year ago. It was touch and go for a while, but Sharlynn is happy and healthy now. Aria and Caleb are engaged to be married. Life’s good for them now.”
The world is one fucked up place. Why do men think it’s okay to treat women like that? I just can’t understand it.
