Chapter 10
Shaw
We were given a brief reprieve from the rain for the rest of the afternoon and into the night, so I spent the evening showing Monroe around the entire ranch. Giving her more details on my dreams for when I’m able to be fully up and operational as a special needs ranch.
Her eyes lit up with excitement, and I think that’s the moment I fell in love with Marilyn Monroe Kingsley. Without thought, Monroe happily chattered off ideas of what some of the kids might like, and much to my surprise—because she’s never been on a ranch before—they were solid notions.
The suggestion to ensure there is a cheering stand, just like at a sponsored rodeo or horse show, was one I’d thought about but hadn’t solidified yet.
Until she said it. It will be one I incorporate.
The therapy wall was another I really liked.
A wall wholly dedicated for the kids to draw and paint on.
Giving visitors a better-suited atmosphere is something unique I haven’t seen in other facilities that I’ve toured.
“You’re good at this stuff,” I murmur into her hair as she feeds another blade of grass to Mari.
She shrugs. “Not really. Your passion inspired mine. What you’re planning to do here is going to change so many lives, Shaw.”
Spinning her to face me, I lean forward, dropping a tender kiss on her lips. When she follows me as I move to pull away, I can’t hide my smirk. Monroe is as addicted to me as I am to her.
The sound of a vehicle pulling up draws us apart. The unmitigated fear enters Monroe’s eyes and sets me on edge. “Go inside.” She doesn’t blink before running in the back door as I pull the gun from around my back and slowly edge along the side of the house.
Relief hits me when I see Draven and Nina walking up to the porch. “Hey,” I call out as I holster my gun again.
While the danger isn’t as great as we had originally thought, what with recognizing that her mother is behind hiring Monroe's stalker, the fact that the man has become addicted to her is what worries me.
“I tried calling.” Draven scowls at me.
“How you doing, Angel?” I ignore my friend.
“I’m good, Shaw.” I lean down so she can kiss my cheek. The woman can be deadly, but she’s sweet as hell with me, and it drives Draven crazy.
“We lost our tail on Alton this morning.” Draven has my complete attention now.
“Where?”
“The airport.” My ears buzz at his words.
“The fucking bitch told him where she is,” I hiss out. There’s no way he isn’t coming here. That’s what I would do.
“She sold me out?” Monroe’s disappointed voice carries from the front door, and I spin to see tears streaming down her face.
“Baby.” I can’t stand it when she cries. And she does it too fucking much because everyone in her life has thoroughly betrayed her in the worst fucking ways imaginable.
Rushing to her side, I pull her into my arms. “I won’t let the bastard touch you.”
“I know.” She sniffles. “It’s just, why would she do that? I’m her daughter. Isn’t she supposed to be as fiercely protective of me?”
“Monroe.” Nina walks up the steps and takes her hands in her own. “When Lorie called me—shocking as it was—I knew at once that you were someone special. Your mother doesn’t deserve you. She never did.” Monroe only nods. “Now, that’s not the only reason we came.”
I look up at Draven, and he affirms it with a nod. “Let’s go inside to talk.”
Leading everyone into my living room, I sit next to Monroe as Nina begins to speak.
“I have an old service friend who now tracks missing people down for a living. He’s not perfect, and he isn’t always right; however, he found your father.
He’s getting a DNA test first to confirm it, but we’re ninety-nine percent certain it’s him. ”
Damn. I wasn’t confident that Nina and Draven would be able to find him. Staring down at Monroe, I register her shock. “How can you be sure it’s him?” I ask when Monroe continues to stay silent.
“Court records mostly. But when he was questioned about family, he mentioned Monroe by name. Even using her preferred name. We could always be wrong, which is why the DNA test. But our investigator said the loving way he spoke about you, leaves little doubt as to his identity.”
“And once it’s confirmed, then what?” Monroe still hasn’t acknowledged anything.
“We give Monroe the information, and it’s hers to do with as she pleases. He has no idea we are working for her, and it will remain that way unless she wants assistance with first contact.”
“What about my mother?” she finally asks.
“What about her?” Draven frowns.
* * *
Monroe
I’m on information overload right now. I can hardly think straight.
My mother betrayed me. Again.
They found my father.
How am I supposed to just be okay with all of this? I never imagined I would see the man who sired me again, let alone know he’s still out there. My mother betraying me is less shocking and more hurtful.
“I don’t know,” I finally answer Draven’s question. My thoughts are jumbled, and I can’t make sense of them yet.
“Once we catch Alton, she will be prosecuted alongside him and anyone else complicit in your stalking. You received real threats, Monroe. This isn’t getting swept under the rug.” Angel’s vehemence helps ease some of my anxiety.
“It’s late; we’ve given you a lot of information.
We are going to head out now. There are men at the airports throughout the state watching for Alton.
We haven’t been able to get our hands on any manifests out of LAX yet, but once we know something, you will too.
” Draven shakes Shaw’s hand as he guides Nina out of the house.
After locking the front door and checking the back, Shaw sits down next to me again. “What are you thinking, Monroe?”
“That’s a loaded question,” I say under my breath.
My entire life, I have been a burden on my mother, but I’ve foolishly loved her. The confirmation that she’s behind this stalking is still difficult to accept.
I don’t remember my father, but learning that he’s been alive all these years, thinking about me but never making a move to protect me is heartbreaking.
“Everyone who was supposed to love and protect me has betrayed and abandoned me, Shaw. What am I supposed to do?” I can feel my throat clogging and tears welling.
I’m sick and tired of crying over my life.
“Hey, now.” His gentle finger lifts my chin. “Not everyone.” Astonished at his whispered words, my eyes dart up to his as his mouth descends on mine. The softness in his eyes shines bright with his feelings for me.
But he couldn’t possibly. Could he?
No. It’s way too soon.
Is it really, though?
I can’t think anymore as I’m lost in Shaw’s embrace. My heart aches for more of his touch as his lips caress across mine slowly. Sensually. Forcing a moan out of my chest as his hands leisurely climb up my back, lifting my shirt as he goes.
Dragging the material over my head, I hear it drop with a thud as he leans me back on the couch. As he crawls between my legs, his hardness presses roughly against my softness, and I lift my legs to wrap around his back.
Mimicking the act of sex is nearly as enthralling as completing it.
Pulling from our lip lock, Shaw moves down my jaw to nuzzle against my neck. “I love you, Monroe.” I gasp at his words. “You don’t have to say it back. I understand that it’s not as simple for you, but you need to know someone is in your corner. That I’m protecting you at all costs.”
He lifts up, and I see the sincerity of his emotions written across his face.
“But I do, Shaw, I love you too.” I have to force the words out through a tight throat, and I realize that it really is too soon, but it’s also true.
I have a love for this man I never believed I would experience in my lifetime.
“Yeah?” His grin is childlike with happiness.
Lifting a hand, I cup his cheek and nod. “Yeah, Shaw. I love you more than I ever thought I could love another.”
The night is filled with lovemaking. Passionate words, promises, and future plans. When I’m with Shaw, I feel totally free and secure. Emotions I’ve never felt before are brought to the surface, and for the first time in my life, I’m no longer worried about where my life is headed.
Until the next morning…when there’s a knock on the door that would change the course of our happiness.