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It was a tedious process, but Baby Girl was a dream. She did so well sitting still and listening. That may be because we gave her more than one juice break. Once we had started, Bri took Dillon to the farm to get his sillies out because she knew how long it would take. Add in the time it took for Monica to teach me and answer every question I could think of. I was grateful that Bri was with me. Monica had told me that she taught Bri how to care for Marley’s hair when she was trying to get custody. It was how Bri knew to come to see her. She also told me how she loved teaching anyone who wanted to learn and that there was no such thing as a stupid question.
When we finished, it was well past lunch and nap time. Bri and Dillon came and picked us up, and we stopped for food. We are now on our way home.
Bri got called to get the girls, so it is just the kids and me. Baby Girl is cuddled up on my chest, fast asleep, when the door opens. I thought it was going to be Aletta but in walks Nate. Dillon jumps up from his spot on the floor and practically tackles him with a hug.
“Daddy! I had the best day ever! Bri took me to see Mama El and the baby cows. They had new kittens that didn’t want to be cuddled. Can we go see Uncle Knuckles so I can play with Phil? Look at sissy! Mommy took her to a salon and got her hair done, and now it looks like yours! She looks so cute and sweet. But shhh, she’s sleeping!” Dillon is talking a mile a minute while dragging Nate down the hall.
I stand with Baby Girl, still sleeping in my arms. My mind stalled when this sweet little guy called me mommy. My heart is beating out of my chest. He called me Mommy! Nate starts talking to me, but it sounds like white noise. I cling to Baby Girl and watch Dillon, who looks from Nate to me. His smile is so big I think his face will split in two.
“Audrina?” Nate’s voice cuts through my thoughts.
“I’m sorry, what?” I look from Nate to Baby Girl. His hand runs down the beautiful braids that Monica had given her.“I am sorry if I overstepped. Her hair wasn’t brushed this morning, and she was distraught with how I did it. I thought I was doing it as you normally did and was following what I have seen you do, but I was wrong. Monica was an angel and showed me what I needed to do. She said this was a—”
“Hey, amour, you need to stop and breathe. I am far from upset. This isn’t an overstep. This is you showing that you love and care about her and Dillon. Don’t think I didn’t notice Dillon’s cut too. It makes me love you more for it.” he says. His smile is soft as he looks me in the eye.
I thought I was shocked about Dillon calling me mommy. Before that, Nate talked about us moving into my house or any house. Now, he is telling me he loves me. I can’t help it, I think my brain malfunctions on some level, and I start laughing. I laugh so hard and fast that I startle Baby Girl awake. She starts to cry, but I can’t stop laughing to comfort her. Nate takes her from me, soothing her while I keep laughing so hard that tears fall down my face. Then, my brain glitches again, and I start sobbing. I don’t understand what is going on with me. Why am I reacting like this?
I don’t know how long I have been crying, but Nate guided me to the couch when I became aware of what was going on. I can barely catch my breath from the crying. The salty tears burn my cheeks, and I am sure I look like a mess. I bet he regrets saying anything and is changing how he feels.
“Oh, amour, please try to calm down. You’re getting too worked up. I don’t want you to get sick.” Nate tells me smoothly.
I take a few shaky breaths as he takes one of my hands and puts it on his chest while the other is placed on his face. I feel my heart rate slow down, and the tears stop. But I still feel so foolish about the whole thing.
“I’m sorry,” I try to pull my hands from him to wipe my face, but he doesn’t let me go.
“You have nothing, and I mean nothing, to be sorry for. Today was a lot, but I have never loved you more than I do today. You did something that her mother wouldn’t even do for her! You learned about her hair. You showed you cared and treated her like your own child. You have done the same with Dillon. No wonder he called you mommy. He sees the beauty in your heart, the same as I do. Audrina, you have been in my heart and mind since the day I saw you.”
I look into his eyes, trying to see if he is being honest with me. I close my eyes and feel his words. It doesn’t matter what look he’s giving me, it’s how he makes me feel, and Nate is home to me. Those kids are my home and life. I can’t imagine anything more than what I feel when we are together.
“I think,” I start, my voice scratchy,“it’s time we pack up and make my home our home.”
“A
re we really going to do this?” I ask. While this woman is the vilest creature I can think of, I still havesomeguilt in my mind and heart about killing a woman, at the very least witnessing her demise.
“You were all about killing her before. Remember, she is the one who is trying to take your kids to sell to those perverts.” Turd points out.
“That was all talk. Talking about it and making threats about it is one thing. But the follow through, that is a completely different animal.” I try to work myself up to do what needs to be done for the safety of my kids and the others in Wyman. I’ve never killed a woman before. I’ve never raised my hand to one—ever. I know it needs to be done, and I understand why, but it is different once it’s placed in front of you.
We make our way down into the cellar. The entire board and a few others had already made their way into the room. It was a full house save for Cougar, Bigfoot, and Zombie, who are ready to clear her apartment when Knuckles gives the go-ahead. He is preparing for her to leave her job and get rid of the trace—the same as he did with Clit. Everyone else is here, ready for information and punishment to be doled out.
“You gents know how to make a lady feel welcome,” Sonya said, her voice rough. The guys had tied her hands behind her back and her legs strapped to the chair. She is slowly looking at everyone’s faces. I am sure every single one of us leveled her with a hard stare.
“You are far from welcome here. I want some information.” Cowboy takes a step forward.
“Oh, Cowboy. I heard about your first attempt at being a daddy. So sad at how that turned out. Not how I wanted it to turn out either. That sweet face had a good price tag attached to her.” Sonya smirks at him, hoping to hit a nerve.
Cowboy is known for his temper. He’s known for jumping to the wrong conclusions, but he is smarter than that. He knows when he’s being baited by the people we bring down here. This isn’t any different. His features stay cool, not even a micro reaction to the words that came from her mouth.
“Do you think you’re telling me something that I don’t already know about you? I know you put price tags on these kids. What I want to know is how much and who was telling you who to grab.”
“Why? You wanna buy one? Didn’t think you were into that kind of thing, but I guess that looks can be deceiving.”
Cowboy walks up to her, gripping her face in his hand, forcing her to look at him,“Being a cunt isn’t going to help you.”
“If you’re going to kill me, why the fuck should I care about what you want to know?”
“I’m not a piece of shit like you. I don’t kill women.”
