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Hades bowed his head and brushed his face against her hair. He sucked in a breath and took in her scent. Strawberries and vanilla. To her, it was merely her shampoo. Vada had no idea what it represented. It was the scent of home. Not only for him, but for Allie. It was their safe place, more so for his daughter, but Hades couldn’t deny feeling it too. There was solace in that.
“Yeah, you did.”
Vada shook her head. “She’s gonna remember that forever.”
“No.” Hades tightened his hold over her, and whispered, “Allie’s gonna remember your truth. You’re her mother. That’s what’s gonna stay with her forever. You loved her first. She’s gonna remember what you said.”
Vada bowed her head, and Hades tightened his grip.
“I’m sorry, Hades, and I’ll never let anyone hurt her again.”
His chest tightened. He cupped her jaw, forcing Vada to look at him. Really see him. Her gaze softened. It always did. Only two people in the world got that look. Me and my daughter. No. Me and our daughter.
“Stop.” His thumb strummed over her jaw, lifted to her cheek, and swiped her tears. “You and I are gonna protect her together ’cause Allie is ours.”
Vada slowly nodded as she bowed her head, sniffling. No one would ever love Allie like Vada. Hades had his own love for his daughter. It was special. So was Vada’s. She’d fill the gaps in Allie’s life where he couldn’t. Allie would never want for a mother’s love. She’d get it all with Vada. His woman would give everything. All of her. And even when she felt as though she had nothing left to give, Vada would give more. A mom in the truest form.
Chapter Seven
“There they are!” Allie screeched so loud she gained the attention of half the people on Main Street.
Vada had a few errands to run and asked Trini if Allie could spend some time with Emme. Her friend was working, but Roan offered to take both girls out. Vada waved as the girls ran to meet each other halfway down the sidewalk. Roan gave his usual silent chin dip greeting.
“Thanks so much for helping me out. Hades had an appointment, and I was going to ask Phoebe, but Daphne’s been sick and…”
Roan held up his hand, silencing her.
“Gonna take them over to Turnersville, grab something to eat, and take them to the park.”
“Thank you.”
“You need anything while I’m over there?”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. Wedding shit?” Roan asked.
Vada pressed her lips together, fighting against a chuckle. Wedding shit? Roan and Hades were so alike it was no wonder they got along so great. The mental image of Roan walking into the bakery and picking up the cake had Vada seconds away from losing her composure. But she held it together.
“I’m good, but thanks. I really appreciate you, Roan.”
He raised his brows.
“I just mean, we’ve come a long way since we first met, and then there was the” —she mouthed the last part— “kidnapping of it all.” She widened her eyes. “Now look at us. We’re trading off kids and doing favors for one another. Just like family.”
The corner of his mouth spiked. “Yeah. I’ll drop her off around eight.”
Vada watched them walk down Main Street and get into Roan’s truck. She crossed the street, heading to Ivy’s art studio. As a wedding present, Vada was picking out a piece. It was an extremely generous gift considering the cost, but Ivy insisted. It took less time than she’d planned, but Vada knew exactly what she wanted the moment she walked in.
Her second stop was just as quick, which left enough time to make it to her last stop. Her final task on her wedding to-do list. Vada had been secretly toying with the idea for the last month. It was a backup plan of sorts. She’d waited and debated on whether it was something he’d be willing to do. She thought about talking to Hades or Trista about it. Get a feel from them. Then, the other night, he proved he was the perfect man in her life for the position. She still hadn’t told anyone. Vada was hoping to surprise him with the question.
She was a few feet away from her car, just passing the parts store on Main Street, when she was suddenly accosted by Ghosttown’s unfriendliest neighbor. Vada forced a smile and stopped as he barreled toward her.
“Hi, Mr. Collins.”
“I went to your house three goddamn times, and no one was home. You got me tracking you down like some PI from the eighties. I got important business, and none of it includes you.”
“I’m so sorry. Is there something wrong?”
