by Cat Mason
“He’s the fuckin’ Baby Whisperer,” Shy replies, rolling her eyes.
“Nah,” I say, winking at Ro. “I just have a way with the ladies.”
After eleven hours of labor, Victoria Dionne Schrader came into the world screaming like a banshee. That fiery kid has one hell of a temper. Just like her momma. Vic unleashed that temper on Dr. Kahn and his freezing cold hands from the first breath. Then, when the nurse put her into my arms, her crying stopped, and I was a fucking goner. All the bullshit about biology and DNA didn’t mean a damn thing to me before. Watching Vic come into the world only cemented that for me. Shooting a load into a woman isn’t what makes you a Dad. It’s about being present and giving a damn. I am more than happy to make that clear to any-fucking-one who has an opinion. When that little girl looked up at me, with the same bright blue eyes as her momma, and wrapped her tiny hand around my finger, that was it for me.
I am this little girl’s Dad.
My gut tells me that isn’t enough.
Sitting on the bed beside Shy, I hand her the baby, then wrap my arm around her and kiss her temple. Looking down at Vic, I run my finger up her little arm. I smile, proud as fuck that these two girls are mine. Glancing over at Shy, I brush my lips over her ear. “Marry me.” The two words come out in a rush. The room goes completely quiet, everyone in here focused on what I am now thinking should have probably waited until we were alone.
Her head turns slowly until she meets my eyes, her jaw going slack. “Are you serious?”
I nod. “Vic has my last name, so should you.”
“You’re proposing?” Ro gasps, clapping a hand over her mouth.
“I wasn’t askin’.” Keeping my eyes on my Cheyenne, I flash her a smile. “You love me?”
“You askin’ me?” she deadpans, arching a brow.
I arch mine right back, challenging her. “Don’t need to, but yeah.”
Handing the baby to Roanne, she shifts in the bed. “Of course I love you, you idiot. Where the hell have you been?”
“Then fuckin’ marry me,” I say again. “I love you. Want both my girls carryin’ my name.” Leaning in, I kiss her lips. “You in a dress, jeans, I don’t give a shit. Hell, Nita and Ro can go ape-shit over flowers, cake, and all that bullshit. I don’t give a fuck about the details as long as it ends with you sayin’ I do and my ring on your finger.”
“How the hell am I supposed to say no to that?” she asks, tears filling her eyes.
“You weren’t,” I reply, waggling my brows. “I’m pretty fuckin’ irresistible.”
“Pop’s gonna kill you for doin’ this without him,” she says, nudging me.
“Shit fire, Baby girl,” Doc laughs, walking into the room. “Been in the hall half an hour waitin’ on this shithead to do what he’s been aimin’ to do for weeks.” Smirking, he jerks his chin in my direction. “Congratulations, you finally grew a pair and popped the question.”
“Okay.” Shy’s lips twitch up into a smile, her eyes lighting up. “Let’s get married.”
Yanking the ring out my pocket, I slide it onto her finger, barely managing to steal a kiss before Ro hands the baby off to Doc and shoves me out of the way to climb into the bed, beside Shy. Poking me in the chest, Ro scowls. “I’m gonna hold you to all that ape-shit wedding bullshit, smartass.” Her eyes narrow. “Prepare your wallet.” Shifting in the bed, she immediately beings running off at the mouth about wedding decorations, saying how they need to call Nita and get her down here.
“Since it’s getting violent in here, I’m gonna grab a smoke,” I say, looking to Shy. “Need anything, Babe?”
“Large stuffed crust bacon cheeseburger pizza, a bottle of Crown, and a pint of peanut butter chocolate chip ice cream,” she blurts, flashing me a huge smile. “This hospital food tastes like cardboard and burned rubber.”
“Like father, like daughter,” I mutter, earning me the same scowl from both Doc and Shy. I wink at her. “Be back in a bit.”
Leaving Doc to handle the women, Stone and I head downstairs. Stepping outside, I take a deep breath, happy to be out of that fucking hospital for a moment, but knowing that I have to go back in there because that’s where my girls are. Thank fuck we are out of this shit box tomorrow.
While checking for the asshole rent-a-cop, I spot Colt walking our way. “Hope you’re not runnin’,” he laughs. “I didn’t bring the getaway car.”
“Funny,” I mutter, fumbling with my smokes. Shoving one between my lips, I light it up and take a slow drag. “You here to see Shy and the baby, or just stoppin’ by to give me shit?”
“Can’t I do both?” he shrugs.
“You boys better not let Kirby catch ya out here smokin’.” Looking over, I meet Henley’s eyes as she heads our way. “You’re still on his shit list, Schrader.”
“Yeah. Yeah,” I mutter. “Tell that rent-a-cop I’m game. I’ll use those tickets to wallpaper the nursery.”
“Always good to recycle,” she nods, biting back a laugh. Her eyes stop on Colt. “Beefcake.”
“Hotness,” he grunts, winking at her.
“Hotness?” she snorts sarcastically. “After four double shifts this week, I’m lookin’ more like a hot mess.” Patting me on the arm as she passes by, she sighs. “Tell Shy I’ll come see her and the baby tomorrow before they’re discharged. I’m headed home to crash.”
“You got it. They’re up there talkin’ weddin’ shit now,” I inform her.
“The word wedding is the most vulgar word in the English language,” she mutters, scrunching her nose in disgust. “Right along with marriage.” Slowing, she eyes Colt again. “Night, Beefcake.”
“Later,” he mutters, jerking his chin.
Stone and I both look at Colt. “Beefcake, huh?” I ask, enjoying the hell out of this. “Was she talkin’ to you or just your dick?”
“Fuck you,” he deadpans, glancing back, watching her walk through the lot as she digs through her bag.
A car turns into the parking lot, then slams on the gas, hitting Henley so hard her body is thrown up over the hood before slamming to the ground. “What the fuck!” I shout, throwing down my cigarette.
“Henley!” Colt shouts, the three of us hauling ass toward her.
There is a lot of shouting, followed by tires screeching as the car races out of the lot, just as quickly as it appeared. “Motherfuckers didn’t even slow down!” I shout. Lying on her back, Henley isn’t moving when we reach her. Her clothes are torn and bloody, her bag and its contents scattered all around her. “Where the fuck’s that rent-a-cop now?”
“Hen?” Colt says, taking a knee and brushing the hair from her face. “Say somethin’.” She wheezes, blood dripping from her lips, though she doesn’t attempt to move or open her eyes.
“Shit!” Rent-a-cop shouts, running up and dropping down beside her, his fingers moving along her neck as he attempts to find a pulse. “This is Kirby,” he barks into the two-way radio in his other hand. “I’ve got a hit-n-run in the front lot with extensive injuries. Victim is unconscious, but appears to be breathing. I need help out here.”
Colt looks up to Stone and me, his eyes filling with fury. I nod in silent understanding. No matter if this was an accident or not, the fucker that did this is going to pay.
To Be Fucking Continued…
Acknowledgments
Well if you've read anything by me you know that I love the hell out of writing these. This means, if you stuck through the insanity that is Instigation, you're in for a treat.
Asli- thank you for removing my commas and also for removing the endless overuse of but from this book. Hahahaha (even if I am pretty sure the overly used word wasn't but, it was fuck.) hahahaha
Mel- because you rock the shit out of all the graphics you make for me. Xx
Drue- thank you for believing in me and my craziness. There are days when you are the only one in our conversation who does. Then, you get brutally honest, and lay it out, reminding me why I do this, and I roll up my sleeves and kick some ass.
My betas- you ladies are amazing. Thank you for reading the rawness and not being afraid to tell me if it sucks.
Renita and Curtis- thank you for everything. All your feedback meant the world. Without you this book would lack a lot of fucking bang. (Not to be confused with fucking banging. Though there is a lot of that too.)
Chelle and Renita- (yes... Renita gets two.) Thank you for all the support while writing this series so far. There were times I was afraid Schrader was over the top and needed to reel him back. The two of you fought for the guy and #allthefucks. Instigation wouldn't be the same with that.
Kathy Coopmans and Dawn Costello- who jumped into the insanity with Retaliation, thanks to the epic pimp hand of Chelle, and made my day with their encouraging support. You ladies are amazing and I am blown away at the love you have for my guys.
Tina- you badass bitch. Thank you for everything you do for me. I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have a best bitch savage ass friend like you. I am almost sorry for running you over... almost. Hahahahaha!
Readers, bloggers, authors, and the awesomeness that is this community- all the hate and drama that is out there is what it is. You're going to find it everywhere, in every corner of the world. Sadly, I don't think that will ever change. More often than not, we get consumed by it and forget how truly amazing it is to be in this indie world. We lash out to defend others and ourselves, which sadly only fuels the fire and gives those assholes what they want. Attention. I type dozens of comments and posts, only to delete them for that very reason. I refuse to feed their fire. Instead, I write, I read, I review, I share links, I support, I recommend, and love the awesome people who do the same.
For the haters, the shit stirrers, and the drama llamas- the generosity, the love, the empowerment. <--- this outweighs all that fucking hate and drama in spades. Throw in the towel now because those who are busting ass to make things great in this world aren't going to let you dull their shine. You’re wasting valuable time that could be spent reading a book or getting laid. I mean really… Go get laid.
Thank you to each and every person for supporting me. You'll never know how much it means. There are no words adequate enough to do it justice.
Xoxo
Cat
Instigation Playlist
Give Into Me- Three Days Grace
Waking up the Devil- Hinder
I’m Not Okay- My Chemical Romance
Alone- I Prevail
Kiwi- Harry Styles
Tin Man- Miranda Lambert
Heavy- Linkin Park
Breathe- Through Fire
Flash of the Blade- Avenged Sevenfold
Bad Company- Five Finger Death Punch
Helium- Sia
Dive- Ed Sheeran
About the Author
Cat Mason is a thirty year old, married mother of three. When she isn't writing; she is spending time with her kiddos or reading. She was born and raised outside of St. Louis, Missouri, just over the Mississippi River in Granite City, Illinois. Cat writes romance of all kinds with twists of humor.
For more information visit me at:
catmasonbooks.wixsite.com/home
[email protected]
Also Available By Cat Mason:
Cat’s books can be found at all major retailers
Shaft On Tour:
Escaping Me
Facing Me
Chasing Me
Shafting the Halls
Fighting Me
Punishing Me
Also available in Shafted Box Sets One and Two.
Artistic Pricks Ink:
Gravity
Significance
Solitude
Grindstone Harbor:
Closer to You
Broken Roads:
Without Regret
Kittery Serials:
Unhinged
Co-Author Projects:
Homewrecker: a collaboration with Katheryn Kiden
