Filled

I take the empty zipper bag and turn around to leave the office, but I feel movement behind me.

“You’re not keeping me from my sister.”

When I turn around, he’s right behind me, but he’s at least a foot shorter and isn’t half my weight soaking wet.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m doing.” He opens his mouth to protest again, and I’ve had enough. I grab him by the throat and march him backwards until his head cracks against the wall.

I can see out of the corner of my eye that Vivian gets out of her chair and backs up while Robert stands in front of her.

“You are dead to her.” I raise him off the ground so his feet dangle for purchase. “And if you come around her ever again, I’ll make sure you’re literally six feet under. I’ve got a shovel and a lot of land to hide a body.” His eyes are bloodshot, and his face is purple, but I squeeze harder as rage overtakes me. “Make a sound if you understand me.”

His choking gurgle is enough for me, and I drop him to the floor in a crumpled heap. I turn and face Robert and Vivian and point my finger in their direction.

“I won’t lose a second of sleep putting you two in the ground beside him.” Vivian nods as she moves from behind Robert and smooths down her business suit. “And by the way—” I take my phone out and hold it up for them to see. “This is being recorded by some close friends of mine that have all the right connections. So in case you have any smart ideas about coming back for more money, know that I’ve got friends that will make sure you’re taken care of.”

Jero coughs on the floor as he tries to catch his breath, and I kick him in the balls on the way out. I hear his choked cries and Vivian berating Robert as the door closes behind me.

I’m done fucking around with this shit, but I’ve made sure to lock up this part of Bambi’s past and throw away the key. Never again will their filth touch her, and I’m going to make damn sure the rest of her life is spent living for our future. Together.

* * *

Chapter 13 Bambi

“You sweet girl.” Julie engulfs me in a hug. A real one where you hold on tight and don’t let go. I hug her back the same and realize I’m already a little in love with Angus’s mom.

“Let the girl breathe, honey,” I hear Mitch say.

“Mind your business,” she sasses back at him, making me laugh. She lets me go, her hands coming to my cheeks. “This world has not been kind to you, but you’re still as sweet as can be.”

I smile back at her, my eyes filling with tears. “Thank you.”

“No, thank you.” She steps back, sitting down at the table with me. We’ve been here for a while. With the amount of food she keeps trying to get me to eat, I think she might be trying to fatten me up.

“Why are you thanking me? It’s all of you who helped me. I don’t want to know where I’d be right now if it wasn’t for Angus.” It’s such a terrifying thought and one I never want to think about again. Angus is mine now. He’s in my life, and he’ll never let anyone hurt me.

“And I’m not sure where our Angus would have been five years from now without you.”

“He’d be a lumberjack,” Mitch answers, walking by to go into the kitchen.

“Likely. He’d be up in that cabin all the time alone. It’s a beautiful cabin, but no one should be alone that much. Angus never could find a girl that turned his eye though.” I feel my face warm. “I’d always poke him because, well, that’s what moms do. He said he wasn’t settling. So when you picked up the phone the other night, I knew he’d found her. You.” Julie’s smile is infectious. She couldn’t be happier that Angus and I are together. Even with everything that has happened.

“That’s really nice of you to say. I do love him.”

“I know. It’s all over your face.” Julie picks up the teapot and fills my cup. Mitch walks back in and hands his wife a cardigan that she slips on without either of them saying a word.

“He knew you were cold?”

“Yes, he can read me better than I can read myself.” Angus’s parents are too good to be true. I’ve never met a family like theirs before. It’s clear where Angus gets his looks since he and his dad could almost be twins. Although Angus is a touch bigger than his father.

“That’s really sweet.”

“All my boys are well trained.” She winks at me.

I think Angus grew up with parents that truly love each other. I’m sure it made them want the same thing, and that’s why he wasn’t willing to settle. It warms me to think I give that to him since he’s given me so much already.