“Well, hell will freeze over before I ever go back to DC, Cal,” she says, voice unwavering.
“Lainey, this is important. You work from”—he pauses and lets his eyes roam all over our small, comfortable space, landing on the “dining office” before continuing—“home. You can work in DC, and Dad needsbothof us, his children, at his side right now. Big things are happening.”
“What’s happening?” she asks apprehensively.
“He’s running for office, and he needs our unwavering support, Lainey. You know how the political machine works.Opticsare important. Family is important to the public perception, and he needs us to be on his team. It’s the least you cando.” His cold stare bores into my woman as a shiver runs down my own spine.
This is the kind of manipulative, twisted bullshit Lainey has had to wade through alone all her life? How the fuck did she turn out the way she has? How did she not let these wolves consume her wholly? It just makes me even more determined to protect her and give her the life she deserves. And to keep her as far from this toxicity as humanly possible.
“So let me get this straight,Calvin.” Disgust drips off of Lainey’s sweet tongue. “Dear old Dad is running for a political office.” She holds up a hand as Calvin is about to cut her off. “I don’t give a shit what political position it is, it doesn’t matter. He should not be in charge ofanything. He does not have my vote or my support. I will never stand beside a man that has manipulated and mentally abused me my entire life. Telling other people that he is trustworthy and good is a lie.”
“You are so dramatic, as always, Lainey. Dad gave you everything and all you ever did was complain.” He shoves a finger toward her, his neck pulsing in anger. “Poor little Lainey. Get your shit together for once and do something productive and helpful.”
“Ab-so-fucking-lutely not,” I growl, pushing so stand and startling Ash, who lets out a bark. My full height towers over Calvin, and he has the good sense to cower back slightly in his chair. “You shut your fucking mouth right now. We allowed you to come in here, and I warned you, didn’t I? You will not speak to the woman I love like that. She is a goddamnmiracleto grow up in your family and walk away the angel that she is.”
Calvin scoffs, and I stride closer to him, wrapping my thick, callused fingers around the front collar of his shirt and twisting it, drawing out a satisfying whimper from him.
“Lainey is perfection, and you are a piece of trash. Not worthy to breathe the same air she does.” I grip a bit tighter,just to make my point clear. “She is kindness, beauty, light, and goodness.She is everything.No doubt you and your dad want her back so you can try and pull her strings like you did when she was growing up. But guess what, asshole? She’s not your fucking puppet, never has been. She freed herself from you a long time ago, and she made her choice.” I shove Calvin away from me and step back.
Lainey is standing now, nervously wringing her hands, Ash, feeling her trepidation, sits at her feet. I hold my hand out to her, and she instantly steps into my arms, zero hesitation or fear. The look in her eyes when she locks in on my face is pure love and confidence in my ability to protect her, to keep my promises.
Calvin looks at us, looks at her like he has never seen her before—and it’s probably because he hasn’t, not this version of Lainey. This woman has changed and grown, allowed herself to let love break down the walls that she had built up solidly for her entire life, and bloomed right before my eyes. The person Cal pushed around his whole life is gone. She can’t be controlled anymore and he’s just now realizing it.
“Lainey ismine.” I look at Calvin. “And if you or your father ever come around here making any kind of demands of my woman or make her upset ever again you won’t be talking to her. You will be dealing with me.” Calvin gulps. His wide, pleading eyes look over to Lainey as she nods in agreement.
A ripple of anger flashes over Cal’s face; blink and you might miss the glint of poison in his eyes, but I saw it. He is not a good man. He’s been molded by the hands of his parents, especially the father that expects everyone around him to bend to his will. And then when he doesn’t get his way, fits are thrown like a toddler not getting the prize they demanded. I imagine Cal being an even worse version of Patrick Quinn, being coddled and told how perfect and special he is in the most unhealthy ways all his life.
“Lainey, you are going to regret this. Quinns always come first. He wants you home, and you will come back when you realize that this is not the life that is expected of you. What you were raised for.” Cal waves a hand around, gesturing to our life that we happen to love very much.
“Get the hell out of our house, Cal. You have worn out your welcome,” Lainey says, walking to the front door.
He stands, now smartly keeping his mouth shut, and I follow him. Lainey opens the door to find the pizza delivery man, hand raised about to ring the bell.
“Oh, hello!” Lainey says, brightly. “I will take that, thank you.” She takes the pizza, hands him the tip money we had laid out, and spins back to us.
“Goodbye, Cal.” Lainey gives Calvin a shove out the door and slams it shut, slouching against it with exasperation.
“Un-freaking-real,” she moans as I take the pizzas from her and walk to the kitchen. I set them on the counter, then I turn and wrap her in my embrace.
“I am so sorry,” she mumbles into my shirt.
“What the hell do you have to be sorry for?”
“My family. He is so full of shit. So full ofhimself, always trying to get in as many digs as possible and the last word if he can.” Her misty eyes look up at me with guilt that doesn’t belong there.
“Well it didn’t work this time. As far as I’m concerned, baby, those people gave up the title of family when it comes to you a long time ago. Blood doesn’t mean family, as much as society would like to try and guilt you into believing it. You get to choose who gets your time, your energy, and most importantly your heart.” I kiss her jaw, and she hums.
“That’s an easy choice, Remington. You. You have my whole heart.” She kisses my lips softly.
“And I promise to never take it for granted,” I vow.
43
Remington
“Ohhh! Ilovethis one!”
“Kendra, we are not here to find a ring foryou. We’re here to help Rem shop for Lainey, chill.” Eli tries to get Kendra to focus on the task at hand—much easier said than done in a shop filled with glittering jewels.
