Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
“You’ve been playing games long enough,” he continues, his eyes—the same color as Ryder’s yet so different—locking on me. While Ryder’s hazel eyes are warm and comforting, filled with love, Brian’s are cold and devoid of any emotion.
He reaches out to grab my arm, saying, “Get your daughter, and let’s go,” and I stumble back with Addie in my arms.
I’ve come a long way from the woman I was when I was with him, and I won’t allow him to touch me in any way. He lost that right the moment he hurt me, and that will never happen again.
Sensing my distress, Addie whimpers, “Mommy,” and instinctually, I tighten my hold on her.
“Don’t come any closer!” I demand just as Jacob steps between us.
“That’s enough,” he says to Brian, who looks shocked to see another man defending me.
He must’ve followed me here, but since Jacob kept his distance, Brian didn’t realize I wasn’t alone.
“Who the fuck are you?” Brian hisses. “Holy shit, Kira, you’re really whoring yourself out, huh? First the accountant and now him.”
Oh my God, he’s been following us—or at the very least, he had me investigated. Which makes sense since he found me here.
“Mommy!” Violet screams, running to my side. “You get away from my mommy!” she yells.
“I’m going to tell you one more time,” Jacob says. “Either leave or I’m calling the cops. You’re already breaking your restraining order. You can leave without causing a scene, or we can do this with a scene. It’s up to you.”
“Mommy, Mommy!” Addie whines, trying to get my attention.
“Shh, it’s okay, Monkey,” I murmur, refusing to take my eyes off Brian. I don’t trust that man not to do something stupid, and my only goal right now is to make sure Violet and Addie are safe.
Brian glares at me for several seconds, but he must realize this isn’t going to end how he wants because he nods once and raises his hands. “Fine. But this isn’t over.”
With his threat lingering in the air, he turns and walks away, leaving me shaking like a leaf.
I sit on the bench with Addie in my lap and Violet by my side. “It’s okay,” I tell them both, needing to say the words out loud to calm myself down.
“Kira,” Marie says, reminding me that she’s still here since she hasn’t said a word this entire time, “what is going on?”
“That was my ex,” I choke out. “Brian.”
“It sounds like he’s very much still in love with you.”
I whip my head around to look at her. “Excuse me? No, he’s crazy and abusive.” My hands and voice are shaky, but I’m doing everything I can to hold it together, not wanting to upset the girls.
“Or he’s desperate,” she volleys. “Love makes people do crazy things.”
Remembering everything Marie has told me about her ex, I inhale a deep breath, realizing that maybe she’s been through more than I know. Because there’s no way anyone in their right mind would say that everything Brian has done to me was out of love.
“Do you think maybe things are going too quickly?” she asks. “You’re still married, and yet you’re engaged to another man, and his daughter is calling you Mom. I’m worried about you.”
Marie places a hand on my elbow that’s meant to be comforting, but mixed with her words, it’s anything but. She’s had a problem with Ryder from the first time we met, and now, even after knowing Brian was abusive, she’s trying to convince me to … what? Go back to him?
“I think you should consider getting your own place,” she continues. “What’s your email? I can send you some listings. I have a friend who works in real estate.”
She pulls out her phone, and all I want to do is get away from here—from her. But since I don’t want more conflict, I rattle off my email and then stand so I can make my escape.
“I’m going to go,” I tell her. “The girls and I are shaken up, and I think it’s best if we go home.”
“Okay,” she says, standing as well. “If you need anything, I’m here. And I’ll send you those listings tonight. I know you believe being with Ryder is the right thing for you, but I think you should consider your options. You don’t want to move too fast and—”
“I get it!” I snap, having had enough of her. “Jacob, can we go now?”
“Wait,” Marie says, eyeing the guy curiously. “Who is that?”
“The man Ryder hired to protect me. I need to go.” Without waiting for her to respond, I set Addie into the stroller while Violet climbs in, and then we take off.
Thankfully, Jacob is driving because I don’t think I’d be able to. When we get home, Ryder’s car is in the driveway, and he’s waiting for us by the front door.