Jalen moved his attention from his book. Poppy stopped playing with the dogs.
“I’m fine,” Ebony mumbled. “I’m just walking Yoshiro outside.”
None of the kids returned to what they were doing.
Guilt hit me. I had no idea they would all be on guard. It had been a long time since anybody worried about me. I put on my coat. Ebony did too.
Jalen marked his page and closed his book.
“Hey.” I zipped the coat up. “I’ll be back soon. It won’t be that long.”
Silence continued.
The only ones that had paid me no mind were Salt and Pepa who lounged next to Poppy. Kia and Jalen exchanged glances.
This is a tough group.
I headed for the door unable to deal with their stares anymore. If the kids said they didn’t want me to go, I might’ve remained. It would’ve been a double team for sure.
A blast of cold air gushed in when I opened the door
I left.
Ebony followed.
After the door closed, I glanced over my shoulder. “You don’t have to walk me to the truck.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, probably guarding herself from the cold. “Are you taking guns?”
“A lot of them. And my tools from the old days.”
She shook her head. “You don’t have to do this.”
“I do.”
“Why?”
I stopped and faced her. “Because I like having the kids and you around—safe and protected. I like hearing your laughs. I love watching you smile. I think that maybe. . .we could all have something here. . .a long lasting friendship. . .family. . .I don’t know. Pick one of those.”
Ebony lowered her gaze. “We can have that without you going Wyatt’s way. Don’t worry. He’ll come to us, eventually.”
“That’s not how I move. I’m not defensive. I’m offence all day.” I stepped closer to her, gently took her chin, and lifted her view my way. “Thank you for caring, but I’ll be fine.”
She shivered.
I tensed from her reaction.
I watched her swallow, watched that beautiful mouth strain as she tried to form the words that didn’t come out. I thought about the way she felt in my arms earlier.
Please, don’t worry about me.
Sighing, Ebony looked up at me. “Please be careful. I don’t know what we would do without you, and I mean it. If you feel like you’re in danger, then please get out of there.”
My breath caught in my throat. At that moment, I loathed myself for doing this to her, making her worry so much.
“I promise. I’ll get out.”
She widened those beautiful eyes. In the moonlight, they shimmered. Big and brown. Lovely and gorgeous. I could never capture their beauty on my canvas.
She was so captivating, I yearned to yank her to me and kiss her so deeply she shivered for me and not in fear.
A few of those long locs fell across her cheek.
I reached out and brushed them back. My fingertips slipped along her soft skin. I dragged myself away, amazed at my self-control. Every part of me wanted to stay.
It took everything in me to leave. I knew if I glanced over my shoulder, I wouldn’t be able to walk forward
When I started the truck, I glanced in the rear view. Thankfully, she remained several feet from my truck and stayed there with that pissed look.
Damn, woman. Remind me to never make you mad. I don’t ever want to see that expression again.
I drove off. A few times, I came close to turning back around. But I knew that even though Ebony worried, this had to be done. I didn’t know what Wyatt’s next move would be. I didn’t know what was going through his head.
It was clear Wyatt messed around with other women the whole three years Ebony ran. However, that never stopped him from terrorizing her. Those woman were nothing. Ebony represented everything. The lucky basterd had been married to her for fourteen years. He knew how soft her skin was. How she moaned. How amazing she was. For that, it was enough for me to want to kill him.
But the fact that he’d hurt the kids and Ebony, it meant that I would never give up when it came to trying to hurt him.
She’s going to have to understand. This is just the beginning. I won’t leave Wyatt alone, until he’s dead.
I drove away.
Chapter 16
Breaking In
Yoshiro
It took me less than an hour to get there. Not many were out on the roads. They’d been ploughed good. The tires didn’t slip. No snow fell. While Ebony hadn’t approved of my night venture, it appeared the universe backed it.
I plugged Selena’s address into my phone and used google maps app to get me there. The ride took no time.
I made it to the house right at 9:30pm, eased into a space in front of the house, and waited. I’d wanted to get a good look at Wyatt, and I got my wish.