He was a crazy bastard—
but a protective, loving one.
And instinct told me he would protect our child with his life.
Chapter 17
Kade
Her hand stayed on my thigh as I drove us home. I kept sneaking glances at her, half-expecting she’d burst into tears again. I’d kept a lid on my fury for her sake, but I couldn’t stop the quiet swell of gratitude for my own family.
It was ironic, really.
I’d lost Nadine to one city… but gained Juliette from another.
She was mine. Always.
I placed my hand over hers, and she offered me a gentle smile. Satisfaction curled in my belly.
Yes, my little mama was all mine, and nothing would come between us.
“You’re so sweet, Officer Kade,” she said, shaking her head, “even with that maniacal look in your eyes.”
“You can’t prove a thing,” I murmured.
When I parked my truck in the driveway, I watched her reaction as she took in my four-bedroom house—the one I’d always imagined being married in, filled with my children’s laughter and mischief.
Thank fuck Nadine left.
We’d outgrown each other, and I could see that now. She wanted more than small-town life.
More than me.
“Do you like it?” I asked, lifting her hand into mine.
“It’s not what I expected,” she said, and my heart started to sink.
“It’s so pretty and light. A lot bigger than I thought.”
I exhaled the breath I’d been holding.
“I liked the dark wood contrasting against the white.”
“A bit like us, then,” she said with a soft chuckle.
“Exactly like us,” I said, brushing my lips over her fingers.
?? ?? ??
While I made our dinner, I let Juliette explore my house. It was only fair, after all.
But it wasn’t until we sat down to eat that I became acutely aware of the need—the innate, primal urge—to feed her. To provide good nutrition for her and our child.
I loaded more asparagus tips and steamed kale onto her plate.
“You do realise I won’t be able to finish all that—and the massive steak you served me—right?”
I shrugged.
