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Is that why I never went after her all these years?
That shit rattles around in my head as I empty out my bag and pack a new one. And yeah, okay, I throw more clothes in this one than I did last week, then look around my room. There’s not a single thing in here that says it’s mine. No pictures. No memories. Just the stuff Maddie picked out for me when I moved in. I still have no clue why the bed hasseventy-twopillows on it, but she said it looked good, so I let her buy them.
Hell, I basically handed her my credit card and let her decorate the whole house.
I should feel something, coming back here after being gone for a few days, but I don’t. And if that doesn’t tell me something, I’m not sure what would. Because all I can think about is getting home to my girls and how much I like the sound of that.
I might not have ever wanted a kid of my own, but there’s no denying that Madeline carefully carved out a spot for herself in my heart since the day I met her. Pretty sure she’s the best of both worlds. She might not have been born mine, but that doesn’t fucking matter one little bit to me.
Time to go home.
I make the short drive through the streets of Kroydon Hills in a torrential storm, feeling happy. They won’t even be awake when I get there, but I’m fucking happy, and that’s a bit of a foreign thing for me.
It’s almost enough to make me forget about the asshole stalking Ashlyn.
Almost.
It’s close to midnight as I slow and turn down Ashlyn’s street, seeing a dark car sitting across from her house. But as I get closer, it pulls away. Doesn’t even turn the fucking lights on. Just drives.Shit.
I pull into her driveway and grab my phone. Years ago, a bunch of us started getting together for poker nights, it was a little weird to know I was sitting next to Sam Beneventi. I mean, I knew his brother, Bash, because he played for the Kings with me long before I knew him as Lenny’s husband. I was aware of who Bash’s older brother was.Is. But it wasn’t until I was sitting with Sam that it sunk in that he wastheSam Beneventi.Bossof the Beneventi family.
When he answers the phone on the first ring, I forget about all that.
“Sam.”
“Dix, this better be good. I’m in bed,” he clips out.
“I just got to Ashlyn’s house, and a dark sedan was sitting across the street. I thought it could have been one of your guys, but they left the second they saw me.”
“Got it. I’ve got the whole area covered. I’ll get someone to pull the plate and do some digging.” He murmurs something, probably to his wife, before asking, “You got a gun, Dixon?”
“No. Never needed one,” I grunt, ready to kill someone with my bare fucking hands.
“Stop by my house tomorrow after practice. Call first. Now go take care of your woman, Dix. ‘Night.”
“Thanks, man.” I end the call and grab my bag.
This was not how I wanted to end my night.
I sprint through the rain to the front door and let myself in, then rearm the alarm. The house is quiet, and the lights are all turned off as I look at the couch and remember Ashlyn’s earlier text. Taking the steps two at a time, I head upstairs.
Ashlyn’s office door is open, and the room is empty. Lindy’s door is cracked, and I peek in just to make sure she’s safe, then move further down the hall, and stop in front of Ashlyn’s bedroom’s double doors. They’re cracked open the slightest bit too, and a low hint of light creeps through.
I stand there longer than I should before finally pushing through the doors quietly. Almost silently. Not wanting to wake her or Lindy. Knowing in my gut, this is a big deal.
A candle flickers on a dresser, and the storm whips through her open windows. Flowy curtains blow with the wind, and the rain plays a sensual rhythm against the lake outside. And there she is, taking my breath away, tucked under a chunky throw blanket, asleep on her bed. Lightning cracks in the distance, and she rolls toward me, tugging the blanket down enough for me to see she’s wearing a Kings jersey.
I drop my bag at my feet and lock the bedroom doors, then carefully make my way over to the bed and watch her sleep. She’s gorgeous, and she’s wearingmyjersey. And when I gently tug the blanket down, all the blood leaves my brain because this incredible woman isn’t wearing anything else.
Ashlyn slowly opens her eyes and smiles. “Hi, big guy.”
“Hey, baby.”
Her sleepy eyes warm, and my heart pounds harder, threatening to crack in my chest. “You’re all wet.”
“It’s storming out,” I answer quietly, not wanting to make any noise.
I just want to hold her in my arms. Know she’s safe. Know she’s mine.
