Miller's Time (Southern Charmers 2)

“Why do my children need babysitters when I can take them anytime? And who the hell are you?”

“Connie, what are you doing here?” I control my voice, knowing Cole is in earshot range.

“My name is Ashlyn Rhodes,” Ashlyn carries on, overriding my question.

Connie’s eyes sling between Evin and me, then back to Ashlyn with recognition. “You’re Miller’s new piece?”

Ashlyn flashes her a sickeningly sweet smile, hustling the baby a little so he’s fully on display. “If by the term piece, you mean girlfriend, then yes.”

“What are you doing here?” I repeat, my jaw ticking. “Your ass is to be nowhere near this house. Thought I made that clear when I kicked you out in January.”

“I’m here because of this.” She waves an envelope in the air theatrically.

“Please tell me that’s transfer papers and you’re moving to Alaska,” Evin throws in low enough that it doesn’t travel through the door.

Connie narrows her eyes, heat and hatred building in her glare. “Shut up, you jackass.”

He chuckles in amusement. “Just saying.”

“You have less than a minute to explain yourself.”

“This is between Pierce and me.”

“Well, as Ashlyn told you, he’s not here. So leave.”

“I want to see my kids.”

“Maya’s in the shower and Cole’s busy. I’ll tell them to call you if they want.”

“Screw that.”

Ashlyn puts the bottle on the side table and shifts Dev to her shoulder, patting him softly. He gives a little coo and nuzzles. All eyes go to them and Ashlyn huddles him closer.

“You need help, Princess?”

“I’ve got him.”

Connie looks back to me, the fury now blazing. “Of course you step in when Darby has a baby.”

“Stepped in thirteen years ago, too.”

“I don’t remember you lifting a finger.”

“That’s because you’re a bitch. Pierce knew he had help.”

She doesn’t have time to spout back when lights flash at the head of the driveway and Darby’s Range Rover pulls up, stopping mid-way. Pierce is out of the car, his eyes violent with outrage. He glances at me as he helps Darby out of the truck.

Ashlyn blows out a breath, bringing my attention to her. She’s locked on the scene as Pierce takes Darby’s hand and comes toward us. I’m not a woman, but I’d swear there’s a look that passes between Darby and Ashlyn.

Satisfaction? Camaraderie? Sisterhood?

There’s no time to process it because when he’s close enough, Pierce grates out his greeting on an unsteady growl. “There better be a good fucking reason your ass is on my family porch at this time of night.”

He guides Darby up the stairs, steering her far from Connie before he takes her to the swing. He only breaks his stare to look down at his son and run a hand over his knit-covered head. “Hey, buddy,” he whispers gently, then returns his fury to Connie.

Darby inches close to Ashlyn, too, not taking the baby, but bending to kiss his cheek.

“I’m waiting for an answer,” Pierce clips.

“This bullshit, Pierce.” She hurls the envelope at him. “You want to keep this so-called peace between us, you and your wife need to step back in line. Otherwise, the truce is over.”

He rips the contents out of the envelope, letting it fly to the ground, and an air settles over everyone. There’s no mistaking the electric blue cardstock that Annie ordered the instant Devin had a name.

Darby inhales sharply, but Pierce lets out a loud and satisfied bark of laughter. Evin and I join in.

“I didn’t send that,” Darby rushes to defend herself.

“Sure you didn’t, bitch.”

All laughter dies, and Runner chooses that second to go crazy behind the door—barking, scratching, and growling to get out.

“Listen to me closely and hear what I’m saying. You don’t show your sorry ass at my house ever, without a reason dealing with our kids. You never threaten to disrupt the peace my kids live in, and you never in your life call my wife a bitch.”

She squares her shoulders, ready to spar. “Or what?”

“Or I will annihilate you. Go back to court, your measly visitation will be revoked. Our kids will visit you with the court-ordered representative, and you’ll live the rest of your life a bitter fucking bitch alone.”

“Sounds great to me. Why we didn’t do that the first time still blows my mind.” I add fuel to the fire.

Darby’s pale, no doubt trying to figure out how to diffuse this, but knows not to stand in between Pierce when he’s dealing with Connie.

“Try it, asshole,” Connie throws back, not knowing when to quit. “No judge will take my kids from me.”

“Actually, you are displaying erratic behavior that could be seen as a danger to those children,” Ashlyn’s melodic voice cuts in.

“What do you know? You’re a passerby in this family. I bet you won’t be here next month. Miller never keeps them around long.”

I clench my fists at my sides, plant my feet, and glare at her with a look meant to kill.