For the Taking

He didn’t like hypocrites.

“Sir, your wife is here,” Amanda said, coming to the office door. Unlike his predecessor, Riley chose to spend most of his time at his office in the city where he dealt with his legal businesses. Buckle wasn’t wrong in someone needing to take David’s place when he was gone.

Riley had stepped into the role with ease.

He’d terminated all of David’s previous business ventures he didn’t agree with. Some of them had sickened him, and he’d made sure a couple of cops he knew weren’t on the payroll got the information on the kidnapping and selling of children. He’d changed a lot of things from the pimps on the streets, his drug trades, and of course, the clubs.

All of it, he’d turned around.

Some of them legal, others not so much.

He knew he had to make sure all the darkness was contained and didn’t spill out into the streets. It’s why he kept a tight grip on everything, not allowing a single person to step out of line, or to even question him.

Buckle was part of his team, and together, they had been able to clean up the mess David caused.

“Daddy!”

Riley smiled as his little angel ran into the room. He picked her up and smiled at his wife. Meghan looked radiant as ever, and tired.

He pulled her into his arms, holding both of his precious girls.

“Hey, baby,” he said, kissing her cheek.

Meghan rested her head on his shoulder. “Hey, she wanted to come and see her daddy before we headed home.”

“You know that is more than okay. My two favorite girls here for me.” He blew a raspberry on his daughter’s face and gripped his wife a little tighter. She was five months pregnant with their second child.

They had been married for four and a half years. He’d married her heavily pregnant with Bethany. Meghan wanted to name their first daughter after the wife he lost. He had promised her, he was no longer in love with Bethany. She had a piece, a tiny piece of his heart, but his love was for Meghan and always would be.

“Come on, let’s go home.” He had to take care of his wife. The doctor had said this pregnancy was proving to be a little difficult and she needed to rest.

“Riley, you don’t need to worry about that. I’m fine.”

“Excellent. I’m cooking tonight, and we’re having a family game night.” He put Bethany down, and she let out a squeal. “There’s a bar of chocolate with your name all over it. Go and get it.”

Bethany ran off toward his desk, and he held his woman.

“Look at you, being the bossy businessman,” Meghan said.

“I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for you.”

“You’re stronger than you realize, Riley.”

“No, you make me the better man. You’ve given me a chance at a second life, and it’s one I’m taking, because of you.” He cupped her face, kissing her lips.

Bethany did a yuck sound, and he laughed.

“I love you more than anything. All of this, it could disappear, and I wouldn’t care. All I want is you, Bethany, and our baby. Our family. It’s all I need to be happy.”

“Now I’m going to cry.” She wrapped her arms around him, and he held her as best he could with her heavy stomach in the way. He loved it, loved feeling her.

This was his life.

His love.

His family.

And he wouldn’t change it for the world.

The End