“Fuck, I knew you went through some shit, with what I was finding myself, but hearing it come out of your mouth just makes it that much worse. I’m sorry you went through it at all. A mother should love her child, not raise a hand or abuse them mentally.”
“It was what it was, can’t change the past, only can move forward.”
“You’re right, and you’ll be a better mother than she ever was.”
I shake my head, “No, being a mother isn’t one of my dreams. I never saw myself having children. if I’m honest, I’d rather just be the fun auntie or something.”
Carson growls, “You’ll be stepmom to my kids, and we are definitely having more.”
I laugh at that, “There is no way, at your age, you want more kids.”
“Why not? Kids aren’t a burden, they are a treasure, and I’ve always wanted a shit-ton of them.”
“We’ve only been dating about a month, slow your roll. If we last longer, we’ll talk more about it. But right now, the answer is no. I’m cool with the stepmom thing, even though you’re totally getting ahead of yourself.”
“When we last, you mean. Not if. There is no ending for us. This is it. You’re my one.” Before I can retort his mouth slams down on mine and I’m lost.
Totally falling for him, falling so fast I’m dizzy.
Chapter Twenty-five
Hangman
I’m introducing my kids to Justine tonight, and I’m nervous, I want them all to like each other, but if April—Emily’s mom—has a say in this, she’ll hate Justine. April always thought with Vicky out of my life, she’d have a shot with me, but I put her in her place. Of course, she didn’t take it well and instead of outright starting shit with me, she sneakily does it through our child.
And after tonight, I’m putting a stop to that shit or April can kiss our daughter goodbye for good. I park in April’s driveway and get out of the truck. I rarely drive the thing, but, with Emily, it’s better, safer. “Hangman.” April breathes as she opens the door and sees me.
“She ready?”
April nods, “Can we talk?”
“Not anything to talk about unless somethings up with Emily.”
“Hangman, stop being like this. You and I were good together. You have to see that. We made a beautiful child.”
“Yeah, Emily is amazing, just as amazing as Melissa.” Hearing my oldest daughter’s name has April flinching. I’m not sure why but the bitch has had a hard-on over the fact that I have another child not from her.
“You’re dating? You never date, and if you are dating, it should be me. As the mother of your child, I need it to be me.”
“Look, bitch, keep this shit up, I’m taking Emily and you’ll never see her again. You got shit messed-up in your head. I’m sick and tired of women like you laying claim to me, something you never fuckin’ had.”
“But—”
“And I’m not ‘dating,’ I have a woman. She’s mine, she’ll be claimed soon. That’s all you need to know.”
“You keep it up with her, and I’ll ruin her,” April threatens.
“I’d like to see you try, bitch.” I get in her face, listening out for Emily. “You even breathe in her direction, and I’ll put a bullet in your fucking face, you got me?”
She swallows harshly and nods.
“I mean it, April. This is the last time you see me, too. From now on a third party will be doing the pick-ups and drop-offs with Emily. I see you even once, you’re done, it will be the last time you ever see anyone again.”
“Emily,” she calls out shakily, “Dad’s here for you.”
“Coming!” Emily shouts from upstairs.
“As of now, I’m done paying for this place. You only got it because of her. Emily has a home with me, so if you can’t get a job and your own place, well tough, fucking luck. I’m done with all your bullshit.”
“What? You can’t do that, you own this house outright, it’s a home for your child.”
“I’ll do whatever I damn well please, and as I said, Emily has a home with me if you can’t get one of your own.” I stare at her, wondering why the fuck I ever actually stuck my dick in her and sneer. “You have a month, that’s being generous.”
When I say I’m done with this bitch, I mean it. I want her out of my life completely but with Emily that’s never gonna fully happen unless she pisses me off enough to end her life. Then, I’ll have no issues with it.
My phone chimes in my pocket and I realize it’s my burner phone. “Give me ten,” I tell April and step outside.
“Yeah?”
“Boss man, that cop we tortured for weeks, well we dropped him where you said. The Jack’s Devils just dropped him back.” Wiz tells me.
“Okay, and...?”
“Well, he’s missing a fucking head. He’s been displayed at the gate.”
“Fuck, get it cleaned up and shit, I have plans tonight, you know this.”
“Yeah, brother, I know, but wanted you to know, too, in case you get interrupted by the fucking cops or something. This shit wasn’t quiet, it was done in sun, and you know there are eyes everywhere.”
“Just get it cleaned up and stick him in the vat of acid in the shed. Cops can’t do shit if there isn’t proof.” Though, if someone saw the body, the cops will be at our doorstep first thing in the morning. Good thing we keep a tight ship at the clubhouse, and they can’t stick anything to us. Not for lack of trying.
I hang up and turn back around, waiting for my kid. When she comes out, she smiles at me. And my heart softens. I give her a grin of my own and we get into the truck.
“Are we going to sissy’s house, dad?” Emily asks. I love that she and Melissa get along so well.
“Yeah, kid, and I’m going to introduce you to someone that means a lot to me. I want you to be nice to her, okay?”
“I’m always nice, and if it’s the new lady you’re seeing, I already know. Mom hasn’t shut up about her for weeks now. Even looked her up on the internet and has been giving all her books one-star reviews.”
That bitch! “Don’t listen to your mom, she’s just an angry woman right now.”
“I know, she was asking me the other day if I’d like to have both my parents together, but I wouldn’t. You and mom don’t work. But she keeps going crazy,” she mumbles the last bit.
“Don’t worry about your mom. You’ll probably be seeing me more often, because I told your mom she had to find a place of her own.”
“Good, maybe she’ll stop being so lazy all the time and popping pills.” I want to talk more about this, especially the pill popping but we just arrived to Melissa’s.
“Hey, where’s Justine?” Melissa asks, looking confused.
“Just dropping Emily off first, then I’m going to get her.”
“Oh, good. Emily, come on,” Melissa calls out and Emily runs to her.
“Be back.” I mutter and go back to the truck, and head towards Justine’s place. We’re gonna have to work out how to get her moved into my house, I had it completely remodeled when I had Melissa move in, so I’m not giving it up.