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“I’m okay, thank you.”
A twinge of longing burrows into me as I watch Logan’s daughter full of childish happiness I’ve never experienced as a kid. She screeches when Leif bends over to whisper something into her ear, making her bounce on her feet like a happy bunny.
Leon uncurls from Cassandra’s waist and comes toward me. Those pale eyes glance at my extended hand and then my face as if gauging my intentions. But when he finally shakes it, my heart bursts with a warmth I wasn’t ready to experience.
While I still filter through emotions, his little hands coil around my neck. Not knowing what to do, I stay motionless, but when his small form melts into mine, so does my resolve. Something powerful tugs at my heartstrings as I realize Lucas and Leif might be right about me. My heart wants what doesn’t belong to me.
This situation is so fucked up. My eyes burn, and my chest tightens with inner conflict, but I have no will to push him away. Not after his sister squeezes her little frame next to her brother’s and lays her head in the crook of my neck. I feel whole and mighty and so damn overwhelmed. This is what it feels like to have a family, home, and be loved. And Logan had everything, died knowing what it’s like to have a piece of heaven.
“You smell nice,” Liane whispers as her brother asks, “Would you like to play football?”
I chuckle at Leon and nod since I’ll never win him over otherwise.
“Of course, we can play later.”
Excitement shines in his pale eyes as he looks at his sister, pondering something.
“Liane can play with us too, even if she’s a girl.”
“You’re so mean, Leon! I’m better then you at football.” She crosses her arms over her chest, sulking. “I won’t share my books with you,” she pouts.
“Okay, okay, we’ll play with you.” He winds his hands around her, and she shows him her new books. They start flipping through the pages.
“Hey, guys, Mark and Mommy need to talk with your grandparents, all right? Go play a little bit.”
They nod, hugging her legs and running upstairs like two energy balls.
“That went well.” Cassandra smiles at me. Her eyes shine with joy as I rise to my height and kiss those lips that are still too pale. I linger, needing to reassure myself she isn’t running, and I won’t lose her.
Our heads twist toward the stairs, hearing Darren’s raised voice, arguing with someone on the phone.
“Just two more to tackle,” she breathes out, and I squeeze her form, planning to fight by her side.
19
Battle
~Mark~
From their sour expressions, I can tell this will be an awkward conversation to have. Helen’s piercing gaze scans us both, standing side by side, and it begins to burn with cold, hostile fire. When she turns to her daughter-in-law, my skin prickles in awareness. She moves toward her with hatred permeating her perfect façade, and then she curls her lip in distaste and slaps her across the face.
“Helen,” I roar and push Cassandra behind me while the chaos of shouts erupts around us.
Tears trail down her shocked face as she holds her glowing cheek, gasping. Positioning myself between them, I block Cassandra from Helen’s view, determined to protect her.
“Move away, Mark, and let me talk with my slutty daughter-in-law.”
I stay rooted to the spot, burning with resentment for the only mother I ever knew.
Cassandra’s hand touches my back, and she rests her forehead against it like she needs a moment to process. My hand cups her hip, pressing her against my back to provide her with support.
“You don’t get to treat her like this, Mrs. Cade. Remember your place.”
She flinches, hearing a threat in my firm tone.
“Have you seen the video? If it gets out . . . our son’s memory will be tainted. That dirty sex tape is a disgrace to our legacy. This family will be stained by her depraved tastes, reputation trampled in the dirt. After so many years building this empire, our reputation will be tarnished by this—” Her lip curls in distaste.
“You better not finish that sentence, Helen,” I roar and she jerks back, gasping. “How about the fact I was the one who fucked your daughter-in-law, bound and at my mercy? She wasn’t the only one enjoying decadent pleasures.”
