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Brandon bursts out laughing and looks at Kristine as she re-enters the room. “Wow, who knew, Kristine? Thatyoucould still surprise me.”
“Don't challenge me, Brandon. I'm doing this for Asher, not you,” Kristine states.
She places her hands on my shoulders, giving me the courage to take the initiative, to put an end to the story of cruelty between Brandon and Kristine.
“I won't put you in jail, Brandon, but your career in politics is over. New York is my city, and I'm not going to let a corrupt politician like you control it.”
“How altruistic.” Brandon lets out a sarcastic chuckle. “And what if I refuse to do all this? I still have power and one of the best law firms on my side. Even if you try, you can't destroy me.”
I shrug. “You might think that, but you don't want to test how tough I can be to protect the people I love.” Leaning back in the seat calmly, I continue. “Not only do I have evidence against you, Brandon, but I also have evidence against your associates. Men of power who won't want to see their hands stained with your bullshit. And I intend to use them against you. I will gladly hunt you down until you are thrown in jail. You have my word.”
I stand up and face Kristine and Asher. “Are you both ready?”
“Yes,” Asher answers as Kristine picks him up. “Bye, Daddy.”
He waves, not realizing the tension between the adults.
Kids are so resilient. He'll never quite understand the bravery his mother exhibited today. And if we do right by him, he'll never have to know.
He'll grow up in a home with loving parents, and one day he'll have a relationship with his father. Either way, I'll support and love him for the rest of my life. The way I'll support and love his mother.
Brandon glares at me with hatred, but I just kiss Kristine on the crown of her head.
Never again will he hurt Kristine, Asher, or threaten my club.
My gaze and Brandon's meet once again. “I hope you enjoy it as much as I did,” he winks, making his innuendo evident.
“I'll do more than that,” I declare with a ruthless whisper. “I'll do something you couldn't do. I'll make them happy.”
I guide my family out of the room, leaving Brandon behind because he's no longer worth my time or my words.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
ETHAN
“Finally. He fell asleep.”
Kristine jumps on the bed, laughing, and settles in next to me.
All around us, unopened boxes stagger underneath open, half-empty ones. The closet is half filled with clothes, with the drawers assigned so I know which ones are hers and which ones are mine.
Kristine and I just moved in together. We've been dating for almost a year and finally felt it was the right thing to do. In the end, it was an easy decision to make. After the last meeting with Brandon, our family bloomed.
“I thought it would never happen.” Kristine bursts out laughing again.
I take her hand and kiss her knuckles slowly, smelling the warm scent of her perfume that lingers on her soft skin.
She looks at me with sparkling eyes. Long gone are the days of her fear-filled gazes and her uncertain perspective. The woman before me is ten times more confident and loving than I'll ever deserve.
“Asher is thrilled. That's all that matters,” I state with a smile. “Are you happy, sweetheart?”
“I'm more than happy, Ethan. I'm filled with more joy than my body can contain.”
Resting her face in my hand, I sit up slightly so I'm above her. Kristine entangles her legs with mine and lets one of her hands rest on my bare chest.
“You've been dreaming of this moment for months,” she states.
“I know,” I murmur, kissing her forehead.
