Total pages in book: 13
Estimated words: 11696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 58(@200wpm)___ 47(@250wpm)___ 39(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 11696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 58(@200wpm)___ 47(@250wpm)___ 39(@300wpm)
“Parenting is supposed to get easier the older they get,” I mutter. “Right?”
Reed snorts and then mutters low enough only I can hear, “It wasn’t with you.”
I discretely flip him off and then kneel to press a kiss to his handsome mouth. “Fine. I’ll go. If you hear yelling, don’t come to rescue the prisoner.”
He winks at me and then manages to smack my ass when I pass by. Despite my thundering heart and Reed’s all-consuming love thrumming through me, I harness my anger and attempt to focus on the discussion with my daughter.
The door is closed, and when I push inside, I find Destiny and Raegan sitting beside each other, whispering lowly. Warmth blooms in my chest to see them acting like sisters who are best friends. Maybe something good can come out of this after all.
“Dez, honey, why don’t you go sit with Daddy while me and Rae have a talk.”
Destiny leans her head against Raegan’s before standing and walking my way. I pull her to me for a quick hug and then wait until she closes the door behind her before speaking to Raegan.
“You could have broken your neck,” I say in exasperation. “Honestly, Rae, what were you thinking?”
She crosses her arms over her chest and glares my way. “I was thinking I’d like to stare up at the stars. I was thinking it’d be nice to have a peaceful moment to myself.”
There are plenty of places she could have escaped to get her privacy. And had she told us she needed it, we’d have allowed her to go. The whole disappearing act is where she went wrong.
“As long as you live here,” I tell her curtly, “you aren’t awarded those.”
“But Rowdy and Ryder and Ronan are? Why is that, Mom? Do you like them better?”
She pushes my buttons regularly just to see how far she can get away with disrespecting me. I don’t rise to her bait. Instead, I walk over to her bed and sit in Destiny’s vacated spot. Reaching down, I take her small hand in mine and squeeze.
“Your brothers are men now, but they’re not the problem here. The problem is you sneaking out and doing something dangerous alone. You could have been hurt.”
“But I wasn’t. I’m fine.”
“This time.”
She frowns at my ominous words. “Every time. I have been climbing trees far longer than I could walk.”
“It’s more than the roof and the sneaking out, Rae,” I grumble, shaking my head in frustration. “It’s everything outside of the fence that keeps us safe. It’s the worry that you were out there all alone. Something could have mauled you or worse yet. . .”
“Worse yet?” She laughs in disbelief. “What could be worse than a bear feasting on your intestines?”
The monsters of the human variety…
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her about them. The monsters who hurt me. To put the fear in her heart of what could happen. But that would be a lot for a girl her age to hear and process. Not to mention, my curious child might continue asking questions. Questions that might have me confessing about her father and me.
“Bears would be terrible,” I admit. “Let’s just say there are people out there, and not everyone is good.”
I know I’m being vague, but that’s all she gets.
“I’m sorry I scared you,” Raegan says through gritted teeth. “I really didn’t mean to fall asleep on the roof.”
I let go of her hand to wrap my arm around her. Tugging her to me, I hug her and inhale her familiar scent.
“Thank you,” I say and then kiss her head. “But you’re still grounded.”
Chapter 5
Reed
Raegan is safe.
The relief I feel is staggering. It was like every muscle in my chest that was responsible for making me breathe and holding my heart where it belongs was finally able to loosen. She had been home all along.
Devon was furious, but I find myself a little amused now that the fear is gone. Raegan’s name should have been Rowdy because she’s the one always stirring up trouble in this family. That girl loves the outdoors and wishes she were half-wolf.
“Another story,” Kota begs, tugging at my beard and bringing me back to the present. “For Deck.”
I glance over at his brother’s bed. Declan is already passed smoothly out.
“Nice try, kiddo, but it’s late.” I bend down and kiss my second-most unruly child’s head. “We’ll do two stories tomorrow night.”
He pouts, giving me his best pitiful, wounded animal expression, but I’m immune. I chuckle as I tuck him into bed. After turning off the lights, I leave the door cracked and then make my way down to the girls’ room. Destiny is already asleep, sweet and angelic, while Raegan sits with her back against the wall on her bed, arms crossed and frowning.
“Hey, sunshine,” I greet softly as I enter the room.