“It was the amount of the payments that got my attention. It was paid in thirds so no one would question a giant lump sum being pulled out all at once.”
He hands me a paper he’s holding. My family name is on the top. I recognize it from when Andrew was combing through the bank account. It’s a joint account I have set up for the family to use and pull from. Highlighted are three draws. I stare at the papers, not wanting it to be true.
“Let me see.” Ryan takes the paper from my hands.
“Fuck me. I didn’t think she’d go this far. I know Mom can be ruthless, but damn. She’s fucking pregnant with your child.”
I run my hand down my face, not sure what I’m going to do now. For one thing she’s fucking cut off. She’ll never be within a thousand yards of my wife again. All of this so she could maintain her stupid image. To protect the Osborne name like it’s even hers. She married into it, for Christ’s sake.
“Now what?” Carter asks, wanting to know what his next move should be.
“I need to talk to my wife first.” Cutting my mother's pocketbook off would be my choice. I know I told my father I’d watch out for her, but what she’s done is unforgivable. And not to mention criminal. It will be up to Kennedy if she wants to press charges.
“Talk to me about what?” I turn to see my wife standing there. Her cheeks are still pink from her shower. She only has one of my shirts on. Her feet are bare, and her nails are painted a soft pink.
“Can you give us a moment?”
“Of course, sir. I’ll get back on to the other stuff.” I give him a nod. His attention should be there for now.
“Wait.” Carter pauses at the door. “Keep your eyes out to see if she tries to book another one.” She could try again.
“Already done, sir.”
“Thank you.” I’m not sure what the hell I would have done without Carter through all this shit. He’s going to need a raise and a long vacation when all this dust settles.
“My job, sir,” he says before he leaves out the door.
“Hey, Kennedy,” my brother says. “I’m guessing you don’t remember me from what Oz has told me. I’m Ryan.” He walks over, holding his hand out. She takes it, giving him a tentative smile. “Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you.” She puts her hand on her stomach when Ryan releases it from their handshake.
“I got another room here, so if you need something call me.”
“You sure you don’t need to get back to class?”
“Nah. All good. Wait. Are you guys heading out now?” Ryan asks. Kennedy tenses up at his question.
“No,” I answer. I watch the tension drain from her body.
I’m not sure I’ll be leaving here at all. Back home, Kennedy only had me, but here in New Hope she has made a bit of a makeshift family. I won’t take that away from her. If she wants to stay here, we’ll stay.
“All right. See you later, sis.” Ryan winks at her before he’s out the door, leaving us alone.
As soon as the door closes behind Ryan, I’m on her. She's the only one who can control the rage inside of me.
“Kennedy. If there is something you want, you need to ask for it. There is no reason for you not to,” I tell her as I carry her back toward the bedroom, setting her down on the edge of the bed. “Or anything at all you want to say. Say it.”
“What do you mean?”
“You want to stay here?” She nods her head. “Indefinitely?”
“I do, but this is your life too.”
“Our lives,” I correct her. “What I do can be done from anywhere.” I don’t think she fully understands the depths I would go to for her.
After confirming this was all my mother’s doing I don’t want to take her back there ever again. We can start new here and continue to build our own family.
“Really?” Her eyes fill with tears.
“Really.” I cup her face with my hands, kissing her. “I need you,” I growl against her mouth.
“You have me.” She reaches down, pulling the shirt off over her head, leaving her naked. She falls back onto the bed, offering herself to me.
This woman metaphorically and figuratively brings me to my knees. I devour her cunt, licking and sucking every drop of pleasure I can get from her until she’s screaming my name. I lift her, putting her fully onto the bed before I come down on top of her.
“Dane,” she sighs, her hand coming to my face as I sink into her heat.
“No one will take you from me ever again,” I vow as I take her.
I thrust in and out of her, needing this right now more than ever. I’m trying to keep myself somewhat under control, not wanting to hurt her.