Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 132031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
She let the other shoe fly like a pitcher from a professional softball league.
This time, he had to duck or be struck in the head.
It wouldn’t have been the first time. It was her signature move.
“You don’t pay for shit, Tena. I’m not givin’ you any more money. I don’t have it to give.”
Her shrill scream rivaled that of any horror flick actress. She fist-fought the air then stomped toward her ride, barefoot, screaming and cursing at him with each angry step she took. What worried Dev the most were the noises at the front window behind him. His little girls had to have heard their mother and rushed to see what was going on.
The club prospect, Con-man, providing security on the house came out from behind a cluster of trees he hid within, looking to Dev for instruction. He shook his head, letting him know it was handled. Tena caused scenes because she knew they got to Dev. If he were hiding his children away for safety, making an ass out of herself in public drew attention to them, negating everything he hoped to achieve.
Fucking bitch.
She lived her entire life angry. Soaring from zero to ten on the Richter scale of meanness in seconds flat. She was never happy.
“Daddy!” Mae’s voice rang out as the front door opened. She launched herself at him, hands in the air as she gave a leap, knowing he’d catch her. He hoisted her up on his side. She was wearing her fairy wings, the ones he’d randomly picked up for her and Abi at a truck stop. She was the replica of her mother—short, dainty, with all those soft angles and pretty features.
Her excited face beamed as she came at him for a sweet and sloppy kiss. Chocolate, or at least he hoped it was chocolate, colored the corners of her mouth. He inclined his head for a peck on the cheek. The best kiss he’d had since she kissed him goodbye two days ago.
Mae was so full of joy all the time. Abi on the other hand stood at the door with all the piss and vinegar of both her parents combined. She had her hands crossed over her chest, her foot stuck out one way, her hip the other and her head cocked with impending attitude. She looked like him. Abi gave him a mocking smile and lifted the second set of fairy wings, showing him what Mae had in store.
Yep. He saw a tea party in his very near future. Anything was better than playing with dolls.
“Y’all eat dinner?” he asked, looking inside the house as he grabbed the door from Abi and nodded her inside. He resisted the urge to look over his shoulder as the car pulled away. Mae’s body went ramrod straight, and he put her down in the front entry. She grabbed the wings Abi held and the door closed behind them.
“We were waitin’ on you,” Abi said nonchalantly, not an ounce of emotion in her tone as she twisted the lock on the front door. At least someone in the house listened to him about their safety.
“You know, there was a time you were excited to see me,” he said, patting Abi’s head as she walked around him toward the kitchen.
Abi had just turned eleven and was a little badass in the making. She loved makeup, jewelry, pop-art, and TikTok. She videoed herself all the time. He was the one blocking her from taking her videos live online, making her resent the hell out of him. He didn’t give a single shit. He knew firsthand the kinds of predators who lived online and off. He’d protect her from life’s demons as long as he could.
“I don’t remember that time.” She tossed her long hair over her shoulder, heading toward the kitchen table.
Mae was jumping up and down beside him, extending the wings to Dev with both hands.
“Here, Daddy. Abi didn’t want to wear hers so you can.”
The wings were green and yellow with lots of glitter. He held back his groan. The things he did for his daughters. He took the offering and moved around her, shrugging out of his cut. He tossed it over the sofa and pushed one arm through the elastic band holding the wings to his back.
He hadn’t known when he’d bought the things that they came in different sizes. Unfortunately, he had bought the adult versions.
Mae just liked him so damn much. He’d do anything to make sure that trend continued.
When he put them on, her face went through a range of emotions, from anticipation to excitement to extreme love.
“You look so pretty, Daddy,” she finally said, beaming her immense approval. Her arms lifted, and he swept her up as he went through the house. Regardless of what Tena thought about their home, he liked the open floor plan, pretty paint colors on the walls, and the high ceilings encased in rich crown molding. He had a strong sense of pride for what he’d provided for his kids. They were in a better environment and tucked away safe if anything did happen to him or the club.