by J. E. Parker
“What did she do now?” he interrupted, fuming. “Did she show up over there?”
“No, but she’s planning something. I don’t know what but…” My voice trailed off as anger gripped my throat, choking me. “I have to get ahead of her before she does something. She was drunk, probably even high. I can’t let her near my family. She’s pissed about the money, and I don’t know what the hell she’ll do.”
“Hold up.” Confusion lined Evan’s voice. “What do you mean she’s planning something? And what money?”
Frustration welled in my chest. “Just come over here,” I snapped. “I can’t do this over the phone.”
Without saying another word, I hung up.
Slamming my phone down on the kitchen island, I headed for the door. I’d only made it three feet when a collage of pictures hanging on the front of the fridge caught my eye. A lump formed in the base of my throat as I stared at the faces of the four people—one big and three little—who were my entire world.
Never in my life did I think it would be possible to love a single person—much less four of them—so much, but there I was, head over heels in love with each of them.
How long I stood there, staring, I don’t know.
All I know is that the sound of Evan knocking on the front door came too soon. As ridiculous as it may be, I didn’t want to look away, didn’t want to pull my eyes from theirs.
When I didn’t move, three more knocks came.
Knock, knock, knock.
With one last look at the collage, I moved to answer the door.
Brantley
Evan’s pissed off face greeted me when I opened the door. “Start talking,” he demanded through gritted teeth.
Stepping onto the porch next to him, I looked up the front stairs for Clara, hoping like hell his knocking hadn’t woken her up.
From what I could tell, it hadn’t.
I shut the door and crossed the porch.
Leaning back against the banister, I scrubbed my palms down the sides of my face. “Chastity called me yesterday while I was at the office.” I paused, fighting to contain my anger. “It’s the first time she’s made contact since we moved.”
“And? What the hell did she want?” Evan growled, his temper flaring.
My chest tightened as my anger continued to rise. “Same thing she always wants. Money, what else.” Jaw ticking, I stared at the front door. “I want her out of the picture, Evan. I want her rights terminated and any tie she has to my daughter gone.”
“B, there’s nothing you can do. Chastity is her—”
“Don’t you dare fucking say it,” I snapped. “Chastity is not Bella’s mother.”
“I agree that she hasn’t mothered her at all,” he said, his brows furrowed. “But the courts won’t see it like that, bro. She gave birth to her, that means Bella is hers as much as she’s yours. Come on, man. You’re an attorney, you know this.”
I did know that.
“I offered to pay her off.”
Silence.
Then, “You did what?”
I cleared my throat before spitting onto the grass. “She wanted a hundred thousand cash to sign over her parental rights in front of a family court judge. I agreed.”
“For fuck’s sake.” Evan paused. “So what happened?”
“She just called. Said she wanted more. Told me to double the original hundred thousand.” My stomach rolled with disgust. “Threatened to take me back to court and secure visitation rights if I don’t pay her. Even mentioned filing for joint custody.”
My head pounded.
“And she called Clara a whore. Chastity, the woman who got pregnant to secure her financial status called my bella dama a whore.” The urge to hit something was strong, but I tamped it down. “Before she hung up on me, she spouted off about me regretting not giving her the cash, and some other nonsense about my house of cards tumbling down.”
Like me, Evan looked ready to put his hand through the nearest wall. Eyes raised to the porch ceiling, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Think she’s pissed enough to show up here?”
“Without a doubt.”
Evan nodded in agreement. “Yeah, that’s what I was afraid you’d say.” Pausing, he looked over at his house. “Only question is, what’s she going to do once she gets here?”
The answer to Evan’s question made a mixture of anger and disgust churn in the pit of my gut. Unable to voice the words, I remained silent. It didn’t matter though. Evan already knew. Ever since we were kids, he’d known what I was thinking without me having to say it.
“Clara,” he whispered. “She’s going to come after Clara.”
I nodded in agreement. “Most likely. She knows she can’t get to Bella. But Clara? There’s nothing standing between them.”
Nothing but me, I mentally replied.
“Son of a bitch,” Evan cursed, lacing his fingers behind his head. “Clara doesn’t need this shit, Brantley. She’s been through enough without having to deal with your crazy ex.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” My temper flared. Again. “You have no fucking clue how much progress she’s made, how hard she’s fought…” Chest tightening, I spun around, facing the road. Wrapping my fingers around the banister, I squeezed the wooden railing until my knuckles turned white and streaks of pain shot through my palms. “I promised that I’d keep her safe, that I’d protect her.”
Both were promises I intended to keep.
Whether it be from my crazy ex-wife or the ghost of her dead husband, nobody, and I mean no-damn-body would hurt my girl or our kids.
“I’ve held her hand through the panic attacks, the anxiety, the fear… I told her that the past couldn’t touch her and yet here we are. Only difference is that it’s my past—not hers—that could undo everything we’ve fought so damn hard for.”
“What about filing a restraining order?”
I shook my head. “I could get a temporary protective order, but it’ll only last for ten days. After that I have to prove that Chastity has committed an act of violence or is in danger of committing one. We both know she’s unstable but proving it isn’t so easy. On paper, Chastity looks good. She’s never been in trouble with the law, pays her taxes, and is the daughter of the Mayor of Memphis. I would have a hard time persuading a judge to grant me a permanent order.”
“Fuck,” Evan cursed. “So what are you going to do?”
My answer was swift. “I’m going to keep my promise.” Turning to face my brother, I continued, “Whether it’s from Chastity’s vile words or whatever other bat-shit crazy plan she concocts, I won’t let her hurt my bella dama.” Back teeth grinding together, I shook my head. “No way in hell will I let her inflict a single scar—whether it be emotional or physical—on Clara.”
A look of understanding crossed Evan’s face. “You love her, don’t you?”
Again, there was no hesitation. “She’s my one, Evan.” Tapping my chest with my fisted hand, I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “I never knew what true love was until I held Bella in my arms. After that, I never thought it was possible to love someone else as much as I love her, but then Clara and the boys walked into my life and I realized I’d been wrong.”
“You planning on laying claim to the boys too?”
“Already have. Like their mother, Liam and Declan are mine.”
“That mean you planning on adopting them?”
I nodded. “They’re my sons, Evan. Bottom line.”
“You better take care—”
Evan’s words were interrupted when the front door opened. My eyes snapped to the doorway, landing on my girl.
Brows furrowed, she looked at me with confusion in her eyes. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
“Of course, bella dama.” The tightness in my chest increased three-fold when I took in the worry that lined her beautiful face. “I’ll be in there in just a minute.”
“Okay,” she replied before moving her gaze to Evan. “Hey, Ev.”
My brother raised his chin in greeting. “Hey, Red.” He nodded toward me. “Is this dipshit treating you alright? If not, just say the word. I’ll handle it.”
I scowled. “I’d like to see you try.”
Clara smiled. “If he wasn’t, I would handle it myself. Trust me.”
Evan and I both chuckled. “I believe it,” he said. “Just remember what I told you about his knee. One hit and he’s eating dirt, yeah?”
“What the fuck?” I barked as Clara started to laugh.
“I remember,” she replied, her eyes swinging back to mine. “Though, I doubt I’ll have to worry about taking him down anytime soon.” She paused; her smile grew. “He’d rather play in traffic than hurt me. Right, Pretty Boy?”
“Told you I’d let Shelby castrate me with a rusty hacksaw before I ever hurt you,” I assured her. “I meant it, Firecracker.”
Evan cringed. Holding his hands up, he took a step back. “That’s my cue to leave. The last thing I want to think about is Shelby castrating anybody.” He looked at Clara. “I’ll see you later when I drop Hope off over here.”
Looking over at me, he smirked. “Good luck with the Crazy Chick Club in your house, bro. Christ knows you’re gonna need it. Just remember, if they get to rowdy just throw a handful of chocolate at them and roll a couple bottles of cheap wine their way. Promise they’ll calm right the hell down then,” he joked, making Clara smile.
Smile dropping, his tone grew more serious as he continued. “I’m going to head back home, but I’ll make a few phones calls and talk to Moretti. See what we can do about you-know-who.” He glanced at Clara from the corner of his eye. “I’ll check in with you after a while.”
I cupped the back of my neck with my hand. “Yeah, man. Just call me later.”
With a nod of his head, Evan waved in Clara’s direction, turned, and headed down the steps.
Silence ensued.
Seconds ticked by.
Moments passed.
“So,” my girl said, sauntering over to me. “Are you going to tell me why you and Evan are having a secret squirrel meeting and talking in code? Or are you just going to keep staring at me?”
A smile tilted my lips up. “Can’t I just stare?”
Clara rolled her eyes. “Spill it, Pretty Boy. Just how crazy is your ex-wife and how much trouble am I in?”
My heart clenched. “You heard that, huh?”
She nodded. “I did. Now I’m wondering what exactly you think she’ll do to me.”
I didn’t have an answer for her.
“She won’t hurt you, Clara,” I whispered as the tightening in my chest returned. “I won’t let her.”
“I’m not worried about her hurting me,” she said with a sneer. “I’ve faced down bigger monsters than her before.”
Her words were like a shot straight to the gut.
Stay calm, I told myself.
“Then what are you worried about?”
A sad smile graced her lips. “You leaving me.”
My head jerked back as if I’d been slapped. “What?” I was fucking confused now. “Clara”—I shook my head—“why in the hell would you think I—”
“Because,” she interrupted. “As long as I’m around your ex will push you as much as she can. It’s how people like her operate. Whether or not you believe it, she’s an abuser, Brantley. She may not hurt you like Colin did me, but she feeds off the pain she causes and the manipulation she creates.” A million thoughts raced through my head, but I remained silent, waiting for her to continue. “Now that the boys and I are in your life she’ll step up her attacks and come after you even harder.”
Her chin wobbled.
Still, she kept talking.
“That terrifies me down to the marrow of my bones. I’m scared you’ll get sick of the drama she causes on account of us and think the boys and I are more trouble than we’re worth. Then you’ll push us away, and we’ll lose you.”
Too stunned to speak, I stood there like a mute.
Does she think I’ll leave her?
“So”—Clara squared her shoulders—“if you think that’s a possibility I need to know now, because Brantley, losing you would tear me apart, but it would destroy my sons.” Her eyes filled with tears. “And that’s not something I can allow to happen. My little guys”—she paused—“they’ve been hurt enough, and unlike Colin, they love you. If they…” Voice trailing off, she dipped her gaze to the floor. “… lose you, it’ll shatter their hearts beyond repair.”
I’d heard enough.
Closing the space between us, I cupped Clara’s face with my hands and tilted her head back, forcing her eyes up. “I am not going anywhere,” I replied through clenched teeth. “Not now. Not ever.”
A single tear slipped free from her eye.
“There is not a single damn thing that Chastity could do to make me leave you. Understand?” When Clara didn’t speak nor nod, I continued. “The only way I will ever walk away from you is if you ask me to .” A sharp pain pierced my heart at the thought. Overwhelmed with the pain—both physical and emotional—that saying those words created, I closed my eyes. Then, I took a deep breath. “Walking away from you would kill me, but I gave you my word that I wouldn’t push you into something you didn’t want”—my eyes opened—“and I meant that, baby.”
“Brantley…” More of her tears fell.
Wiping them away with my thumbs, I kissed the end of her nose. “You own me, Clara. Body, heart, mind, and soul. And I’ll be damned if I let anyone—dead or alive—drive a wedge between us.”
Her shoulders shook. “I love you, Pretty Boy. So damn much.”
Dropping my hands from her face, I bent forward and scooped her up bridal style.
Her arms circled my neck as she buried her tear-streaked face against my chest. Holding her tight, I carried her into the house, up the stairs and into our bedroom. Laying her down on the bed, I climbed in beside her and pulled the blanket over both of us. Then, with my arms wrapped around her, I pressed my face into her hair, and whispered four of the sweetest words I’d ever spoken.
Those words? I love you too.
Clara
It was almost suppertime.
Hands covering my face, I sat on the living room floor, my sides burning from fighting back a wave of laughter. Tears filled my eyes and without having to look in a mirror I knew my face was beet red.
But I couldn’t help it.
And the reason I couldn’t help it was because Grandmama stood less than five feet in front of me, her face twisted in an angry snarl. Hands on her hips, her lips were thinned into a straight line as she glared at Hope, who sat beside me, her legs crossed indian style.
Tapping her slipper covered foot on the ground, Grandmama barked, “What’cha mean you don’t want no bachelorette party, Itty Bitty? That’s the best daggum part of getting married!”
Maddie, who was sitting across the room holding Maci in her arms chose that moment to interject. “Oh puh-lease,” she said, rolling her eyes. “You only want Hope to have a bachelorette party so you have an excuse to whack Shelby across the face with another monster-sized dildo.” Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t even try to deny it either.”
“I’m not gonna deny it!” Throwing her hands up in the air, Grandmama huffed out a breath. “When one of my girls gets married I get to celebrate by taking a trip down to the adult toy store and finding the obscenest item they have. Then, I get to smack Blondie with it. It’s a daggum tradition. Course I’m looking forward to it. For me not to do it would be bad luck.”
Charlotte who sat next to Shelby on the loveseat burst into a fit of laughter.
Shelby scowled. “Y’all zip it. The kids are right outside with the men. They may hear you. Besides, nobody is smacking me with a dildo,” she said, giving Grandmama the side eye, “least of all not the Crazy Old Biddy over there.”
“How about if I—”
Carissa, Heidi, and Ashley chose that moment to walk through the front
door, interrupting whatever tirade Grandmama was about to go on. “There’s the rest of my girls,” Charlotte said, standing. “I was wondering when y’all would get here.”
Shelby stood and handed all three girls a can of soda while Charlotte hugged each of them.
Drink in hand, Heidi and Carissa sat down next to Hope and me while Ashley squeezed in between Shelby and Charlotte on the loveseat. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Ashley smile and lay her head against Shelby’s shoulder before closing her eyes.
The love between those two was strong.
Unwavering.
It made me so damn happy to see.
“So,” Carissa said, getting comfortable. “What are we talking about?”
“Hope’s wedding plans,” I replied. “And her lack of enthusiasm for a bachelorette party. Grandmama”—I chuckled—“is distressed over this.”
Hope’s shoulders slumped forward as she exhaled. “Listen, I don’t want to make a big production out of this. That just isn’t me and y’all know it.” That was the truth. “All I want is a small ceremony on the beach, followed by a reception in Grandmama’s backyard.”
“What about a big family dinner instead of a bachelorette party?” Maddie asked, readjusting Maci in her arms. “That sounds more like you and Evan, anyway. Plus, we could do it at Grandmama’s house. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind cooking.”
The scowl etched across Grandmama’s face disappeared. “That I can do,” she replied, nodding. “Just tell me what you want and I’ll fix it right up.”
Tapping her fingers on her thighs, Hope cleared her throat. “Actually, I hoped you could cater the reception too. I mean, it doesn’t seem right to have anyone else do it since you’re the family matriarch and all.”
Grandmama smiled; her old eyes crinkled at the sides. Puffing her chest out with pride, she replied, “That I can do too.”
Blowing out a breath, Hope swung her gaze to meet Charlotte’s. “And Mama, I’m hoping that you’ll bake Evan and I’s wedding cake.” Knowing where this was going, I sucked in a swift breath. “It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. In fact, I hoped that you’d make us a simple Red Velvet Cake. Even if it is nontraditional.” Hope paused as a slew of tears slid down her face. “It was Daddy and Ryker’s favorite, and well, I need a part of them there.”
