AllFreeNovel
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The perfect family dream.
I’ve made it clear she’s the love of my life. My soulmate. She’s yet to say those words to me, but I’ll wait. When she’s comfortable and ready, I know she will because actions speak louder than words.
When we get to the airport drop-off, we get out, and I grab my bags.
“I’ll see you in two weeks, okay?” I give Serena a tight squeeze. “Be good for your mama.”
“I will. Can we FaceTime?”
“Of course, sweetie. Every night,” I promise. Then I kiss the top of her head, wishing for these next couple of weeks to go by fast.
“I’m gonna go crazy not seein’ you for two weeks,” I tell Laney, embracing her in my arms and burying my face in her hair, inhaling her sweet coconut shampoo.
“We’ve gone ten years,” she reminds me, holding me close. “We can manage a little longer.”
“God, I hope so. And you better be in my bed every night.” I press my mouth to hers, sliding my tongue between her lips and wishing desperately I could take them with me now. “I love you.”
“I’ll be anywhere you are.” She smiles as I lean my forehead to hers. Then I kiss her once more before grabbing my bags.
“Text me when you land.” She climbs into the driver’s seat and rolls down her window. “Or FaceTime when you get home.”
“I’ll do both.” I shoot her a wink, then wave to Serena in the back seat.
Walking toward the entrance, I’m excited and nervous for this next chapter of my life, but I couldn’t ask for anything more.
But then three loud honks echo, making me stop before walking through the sliding glass doors. I turn around and hear three more.
I. Love. You.
Laney stares at me through the windshield and mouths, “I love you, too.”
I shouldn’t run to her and hold up the drop-off line. I definitely shouldn’t leave my bags in the middle of the walkway.
But that’s exactly what I do.
Rushing back toward her car, I poke my head through the window and claim her mouth. She cups my face and kisses me with deep fervor. Tears slide down her cheeks, and I break apart enough to wipe them.
“I love you so much, Laney Bennett. I always have and always will.”
“I love you, too. So much.”
Music to my fucking ears.
Serena pops her head up from the back, giving us looks as if we’re crazy.
“I love you too, kiddo. See y’all soon, okay?”
With one final kiss to Laney’s lips, I pull away and head back to my luggage.
I can’t wait to tell Dena and Garrett about our plans. Noah and Mallory, too.
But Wilder better stay the fuck away for real this time.
As I sit at my gate, I think about how I’ll manage financially to pay back my dad, but then I think about all the shit he’s done and how he doesn’t deserve it. All his secrets and scandals. The control over my family and me. The way he always manipulated the situation to get what he wanted. The more I dwell on it, the more I realize I don’t want to pay him off to leave us alone. I wantpayback. I want to hurt him in a way he can’t ever come back from. I’ll use the money to hire a lawyer and my own private security team and expose him instead. He isn’t the only one who has connections. It’s what he deserves after intentionally hurting everyone I love. Gabby deserves justice, and I’m going to make that finally happen.
The best part?
The bastard will never see it coming.
