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“Thanks for lunch,” we said at the same time.
“You betcha!”
The doorbell rang when they exited the shop.
“She’s great.” Ryder took a large bite of his burger. “All the old ladies are. I look forward to meeting your woman.”
I nodded, appreciating the certainty in his voice. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little worried about what Grizzly might find out.
Maybe my nerves were getting the best of me. I was desperate to get Emilee back and finally meet my son. Shit like that fueled all kinds of emotions in a person.
Fear was my leading emotion, fear of something happening to Emilee and my little man.
5
Emilee
I woke up starving after not eating supper yesterday. I hadn’t even snuck out of my room to grab a piece of fruit, just to avoid Dad. We’d argued again. Same old same old.
Except for this time, I’d demanded he let me leave. Of course he wouldn’t, but I felt stronger than ever as I pointed out his unloving actions. His stunned expression pleased me so much I’d thrown out:If you love me, you’ll take me back to Minnesota.
Apparently, I’d taken it too far. Tugging on his heartstrings hadn’t worked as it used to.
His face had turned beet red as he yelled, “Don’t you fucking test me, Em. I can have Dodge wiped off the fucking planet with just one phone call.”
I’d stared at the evil man before me with my heart in my throat, clutching Dante to my chest. He was like a stranger to me. I’d stormed off to my room with Little D and stayed there.
This wash, rinse, repeat cycle may very well be the death of me.
It was after seven in the morning. Tami usually left after their sexfest, so I was sure it was safe to venture out to the kitchen.
“Good morning, little man.” I kissed his cheek.
Dante smiled brightly and kicked his legs. His excitement made changing his diaper a challenge, but I adored his morning smiles.
“Did you sleep well? Did all that noise last night disturb you like it did me?”
He cooed as if telling me he hadn’t heard a thing. Lucky. The white noise monitor did nothing for me, probably because I knew what was going on across the hallway.
I wouldn’t dare put on headphones for fear I wouldn’t hear Dante cry. I had to endure Tami screaming: “Yes, big daddy. Yes. Fuck me harder. Harder. HARDER.”
It went on for hours.
Him grunting. The bed squeaking.
Her moaning without a care in the world who might hear.
Both of them disregarding the baby in the house.
It lit a fire in my belly. If it weren’t for Dante, I would’ve burst through Dad’s bedroom door and gone nuts on her.
Alas, my sweet boy kept my fury reeled in. “Because he’s a precious baby. Momma’s precious baby.” I kissed the crook of his neck, inhaling his sweetness.
His little legs kicked, and he grabbed a fistful of my blonde locks. I wiggled my hair free, then put on the baby sling, and lifted Little D into it. Once I had him comfortable and secure, I exited my bedroom.
I stopped at the doorway to the galley kitchen. Dad was leaning against the counter, looking like death warmed over. It was a common sight.
Dammit, I wished he’d stayed in bed, so I didn’t have to see him. If I wasn’t famished, I’d turn right around and return to my room. But I was, so I went about my business.
