AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I think about what it would be like to be pregnant, and as much as I’m freaking out, I don’t know if I could make an alternate decision to having this baby. “I think I need to know for sure before I can think about that course of action,” I murmur. “It also makes me wish I had a phone.”
“I know you’re frustrated with the cloak and dagger lifestyle you’re currently leading, and that’s understandable. Lennon,” Evelyn coaxes as I stare out the window. She waits until she has my full attention on the computer screen again before continuing. “Do you know how strong you are? Every step you’re taking is towards the freedom to do whatever you want.”
“I know that. I do. What happens when you’re not sure about what you want?” I ask her.
Evelyn shrugs with a smile. “I think we should talk about viable options at our next session, what do you think?”
I nod, a small smile gracing my lips. “Okay. I’m going to bite the bullet and go next door,” I tell her.
“Good luck, Lennon, and Merry Christmas,” Evelyn says before signing off.
Putting the computer on the side table, I stand up and stretch.
Stepping outside into the hallway bathroom, I wash my face to attempt to mask the fact that I’ve been crying. Drying my face, I sigh because my eyes are still a little red.
Hunting for the guys to tell one of them I’m going next door, I laugh when I find them working on the porch. They look like they’re almost done. Shrugging, I write a note on a post-it, putting it on the wall next to the French doors.
They can always track me down next door if needed. I wave at Derek when he glances up and sees me. He looks amazing shirtless and sweating, despite the cooler weather. His attention is pulled back to what he’s doing and I make my way to the front door.
Slipping through it, I find it funny that the house isn’t armed, but it’s because we have three mercenaries and a police officer here. No one knows where we are yet, either, so I’m as safe as can be.
My head tips back to enjoy the sunlight as I walk down the porch steps. It’s still so odd to me that there isn’t snow on the ground for Christmas, but at the same time I’m enjoying it. My sweater dress and leggings are keeping me warm, and I don’t miss the coat I forgot to grab as I walk across the yard towards the ornate door.
I touch the vines with the pretty flowers crawling up the fence and smile. I can imagine a garden continuing in the front yard, my own beautiful sanctuary.
Humming to myself I open the door into Tori’s front yard, walking through to the front door. It pops open before I raise my hand to knock, and a pre-teen stands there.
“Hey, are you our new neighbor? I saw you come through the gate on our security cameras,” she says and I smile.
She must be one of Greg’s kids, I think. “I am your new neighbor, and I’m going to ask one of the most cliche questions on earth, so please don’t hold it against me. Is your mom around by chance?” I ask.
She giggles, nodding. “I’m Melly, let me call her for you.”
I take absolutely no offense to the door closing in my face. I don’t exactly expect her to take my answers at face value, even if she did see me come through the side gate.
Tori opens the door with a smile. “Hey, Lennon, sorry about that. I was getting the kids a snack. Do you want to come in?”
I nod, swallowing. “Yes, but only if you can keep a secret? I wouldn’t normally ask you to keep things from your guys, but—”
Tori shrugs. “Sometimes you need your secrets kept, I get it. Yes, I can definitely keep a secret,” she reassures me.
She opens the door wider and I step through.
“Who are we keeping secrets from?” a woman who looks a lot like Miguel says and I jump.
“Holy fuck,” I gasp. “Sorry, I think I’m a little jumpy.”
“I was really quiet,” she apologizes. “I’m Tesa. Does this secret have anything to do with burying a body? Griffin hates it when I do illegal things, but I’d totally do it for you.”
I grin, relaxing. “No, not today. Orion and Derek are pretty good about burying my bodies for me, but thank you,” I tell her as if it’s totally normal.
Tesa grins. “Mija, I think I really like you. I’ll let you talk to Tori and stop being a busybody. I’ll keep the kids contained,” she tells us.
“Uh, Tesa?” I say, and she turns towards me. “Thank you both for taking such good care of Roark and Turner while I was, um, gone.” Tears prick my eyes and I blink quickly. Fuck, my hormones are out of control right now.
Tesa looks at me closely, giving me a hard hug. I can’t help it and sob. “Fuck, do I need to break out the alcohol?” she murmurs.
I shake my head, hugging her back. “That’s the whole damn problem,” I cry, hiccuping. “I don’t think I can even have any.”
