When my son looked up and yelled out, “Angry bear.” My heart cracked open. And a love I didn’t know existed exploded.
He ran across the room to me.
His father.
I crouched down and stared into his eyes. Sure, I’d spent time with Madden over the years, and he’d known me as Angry Bear but that moment was different. It was like I was seeing him for the first time. He’s a living, breathing little boy who’s eyes mirror mine. He also has my expressions and my mannerisms.
I take his bear from him to tame my emotions. This little boy should’ve lived under my roof for the past four years. He should’ve known me as daddy.
Due to the circumstances of my actions, I understand he couldn’t live under my roof because I was at war.
The one woman I love and hold dear to my heart betrayed me. She denied me fatherhood. She robbed me of his first steps. His first words. Birthdays. His nightmares, scraped knees.Bedtime stories. She robbed me of so much more. Luckily, I’d had access to him. I was able to enjoy some of those moments. I don’t know how I’ll ever forgive her for what she’s done.
I’d envisioned over the years how she’d look when I met my son. She had looked apologetic, like she does now. The initial shock on her face, I wasn’t prepared for. Serenity knows she’s wrong. She told her grandmother Madden was another man’s child all because she didn’t want him in the mafia underworld. I see she’s scared, and I also see the pain. And relief. She’s hid this secret for five years.
I’m so angry with my wife. How could she of all people do this to me?
I also understand why she did what she did. To keep him safe from her enemies. Our enemies. Even the actions of putting Madden up for adoption was all to protect him. I’m thankful she didn’t go through with the adoption.
Her trauma wouldn’t let her see that we were supposed to be a family from the moment she found out she was pregnant.
From the day he was born until now brings joy to my heart. My son is here. Despite how much I hate her right now, I love that she gave me what I always wanted.
A child.
My son.
I admit telling her I switched out her birth control brought a new level of satisfaction. The look of surprise on her face that I betrayed her was worth it. Now she knows the lengths I’d gone through so she’d have my child.
I let her step away to process what I said. When I heard chatter in the kitchen, I went to see what was going on. Her enemies found us. I’m sure they still don’t know about Madden. They came for Serenity. While we were on our honeymoon, my men were destroying Aleksandr’s businesses. So I’d imagine he’s pretty pissed. Now he’s come to us.
After almost dying, I don’t look forward to running into another gunfight. But to protect my family, I’ll do whatever it takes.
Serenity and I are upset with each other. We have to put our feelings aside to get back to our son.
My wife thought she’d just go over to her house to visit with our son and continue to hide him from me. Not a fucking chance. She could’ve asked me to ride with her and drop the five-year secret bombshell on me. I wouldn’t have insisted on moving him from her house at this time. Keeping Madden safe is most important to me.
I’m thankful Serenity’s grandmother, Fia helped me see Madden. He’s mine as much as he is Serenity’s.
Once Madden could talk, I named his favorite teddy bear Angry Bear. And I was also Angry Bear. That way Serenity wouldn’t know Madden knew about me. The name angry bear fits. I was and am angry with my wife. I knew once he saw me he’d eventually address me as Angry Bear.
His nanny hadn’t seen me. I’d only come over when it was just Fia, her bodyguards, and Madden.
We walk upstairs and through the roof hatch as the helicopter comes into view. Serenity peeks over the edge to assess the carnage. With our ties to the police, we’ll be able to keep them from asking questions.
“Let’s go Serenity,” I order over the hum of the helicopter rotor blades.
Our bodyguards stand at the four corners on the flat rooftop with AR-15s in hand. Their pensive gazes monitor the area for potential threats. Serenity ducks as she steps onto the helicopter. She slips the headphones over her ears and looks straight ahead. I reach over and buckle her seatbelt. She never looks at me, but I can see the love in her eyes she’s pushing down. Angel and Kicks sit across from me and Serenity.
My cousins, Catch and Ritchie, sit in the cockpit. Our situation is an all-hands-on-deck kind of thing.
I buckle and pull on the headphones. My eyes move around the helicopter.
Angel, Kicks, and Serenity check their Glock magazines. The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife.
“After the war is over, we need to talk about restructuring our security team. We don’t need your bodyguards any longer,” I grit out.
I say it to get under Serenity’s skin.
