Ella’s grip on my hand tightened even more, and I look down at her to find her eyes brimming with tears.
“She came crawling back when the new guy wised the fuck up and dumped her ass. By that time, though, I’d been granted full custody on the basis of abandonment. I’d also had my attorney file documents to have her parental rightsterminated. She didn’t respond to any of the court’s notices, and never showed up for the hearings, so the judge signed off on that, too.”
“I can’t imagine abandoning my children like that. I just don’t understand how…” Ella’s breath shuddered as she tried to hold back her tears. I released her hand and wrapped my arm around her, pulling her against my chest.
“That’s because you’re a warm, loving human being, sugar. My ex-wife is none of those things. We found out we were having twins when she was almost five months along. I was shocked, but happy about it. She lost her shit. We had a huge blowout when we got home from the doctor’s office, and then the truth came out.” I hesitated before continuing. “She let slip that she had poked holes in the stash of rubbers I kept in my room at the clubhouse. She had a shitty home life and wanted a way out. I was it.”
“That fucking bitch!” I chuckled at the vehemence in her tone.
“She told me then that if she’d known she was having twins early enough in the pregnancy, she would have had an abortion.” At Ella’s shocked cry, I held her tighter, feeling the heat of her tears on my shoulder. “By the time we broke up for good, she threw that in my face every time we argued, including the day she left the boys with me.” I rested my head on top of Ella’s, and she wrapped her arm around my waist and nestled closer.
“Having kids is the worst fuckin’ thing that ever happened to me! I wish to God I’d had an abortion when I found out I was pregnant. They don’t do nothin’ but drag me down. You can have ‘em, because I sure as hell don’t want ‘em anymore!”Without even realizing it, my arm tightened aroundElla’s shoulders as the memory of Christy’s hateful words from that day filled my head.
I was shocked that I’d told Ella what Christy had said. The only people who knew were my parents, Cowboy, and my sister. I’d told them about it when I’d filed for divorce but had sworn them to secrecy. I never wanted to take a chance that my sons would hear about it, and now, I’d spilled my fucking guts to Ella.
I cleared my throat, unsure how to continue without offending her.
“There are only two people left on this earth who know that. I never, ever want Jag and Rome to know, so –“
Ella looked up and placed a fingertip over my lips, bringing my words to a halt.
“Your secret is safe with me,” she vowed in a fierce whisper, and I gave her a gentle smile then placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
“Thank you,” I whispered back.
She gave me a sad smile, then shook her head. “I thought I had a terrible ex, but you definitely win that contest. Do Jagger and Rome see her much these days?”
I gave a bitter chuckle. “Not if they can help it. Neither of them has wanted anything to do with her since she left them. The only time any of us hear from her is when she needs money, so I’m sure that’s why she showed up tonight. She’s been arrested a couple of times for drunk driving, and she’s been doing drugs pretty heavily for the last few years. She just got of jail again, and I threatened to have her arrested if she tries to contact either one of them, or their wives, again. I’m sure that’s why she showed up at the compound instead.”
My phone chimed with a text, and I shifted slightly so I could pull it out of my pocket.
Joker: No need for the cops. They took off like their asses were on fire, Prez.
Me: Good. Spread the word. If she shows up again, don’t bother with a warning, just call the cops.
I got a thumbs up in reply and put my phone away again. I settled Ella against me a little more, then asked about her ex-husband. She groaned, but filled me in on her life with him, which ended when she had walked in on him fucking his receptionist in their bed.
“I was hurt, and I was angry, but more than that, I just felt so damnedstupid. I knew things weren’t good between us, but I didn’t have a clue he was cheating. Then, when I found out about all of the other women, I started questioning how I could have missed the signs. Started doubting my own judgement. Started doubting myself as a woman.” Her voice trailed off and she sounded so damned defeated that I wanted to track that motherfucker down and make him pay for every tear he’d caused her to shed.
“I went a little wild after the divorce. Well, it was wild for me, anyway,” she said with a self-deprecating chuckle. “I decided to test out the theory that the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. So, I had my very first one-night stand, and it actually helped restore my confidence. It didn’t erase all the hurt, but it made me see that I wasn’t the reason he cheated.”
I cupped my hand around her jaw and lifted her head, wanting her to see the sincerity on my face as I told her, “Don’t you ever think for a minute that his selfish stupidity is any reflection on you, Ella. If that bastard couldn’t appreciate you forthe incredible woman you are, then he definitely didn’t deserve you.”
“That bitch you married didn’t deserve you either, Dante.” At her soft declaration, an unfamiliar warmth spread through my chest. I lowered my head and placed a soft kiss on her lips, resisting the urge to take the kiss further. Much to my cock’s disappointment, I was determined to follow Jagger’s advice to take things slow.
Ella opened her lips in invitation as her lips moved against mine. I mustered every ounce of willpower within me and pulled away. I used my hand on her jaw to guide her head back down to my shoulder, then rested my head atop hers.
“As much as I’d love to kiss you, sugar, I want to prove to you that I’m looking for more than just sex with you.”
Her arm was still draped around my waist, and she lifted her hand to play with the top button of my shirt.
“So how are you planning to do that?” My lips quirked at the sassiness in her tone.
“Well, tonight’s a good start, I think. Talking, getting to know each other, cuddling a little bit.”
I felt her body shaking, and realized she was trying not to laugh.
“Something funny, sugar?”
