Chapter 20 #3
“You know I let Max go for personal reasons. If he found someone, I would want it to be someone who deserves him, and you’re not that person.
You don’t deserve a good man like him. You’re selfish, a complete bitch, and you’ve reached a complete low, taking photos with an incoherent man who could barely stand.
You knew if he had been sober, he wouldn’t have taken a photo so freely.
” My hand instinctively shields my belly as I lean in.
“Lucky for you, I’m carrying his child, or we’d be settling this differently.
You might have training in the ring, but when it comes to protecting what’s mine, I don’t need technique. I have something worth fighting for.”
She clenches her jaw and peers around the outside of the restaurant. I hadn’t taken note that we had a crowd. I step back and glare at Johnny. “Let’s go,” I demand.
The crowd thins as we reach the edge of the parking lot.
My fingers curl around my car keys, metal teeth biting into my palm.
Johnny’s footsteps shadow mine, too precise, too measured.
I whirl around and catch him cataloging the surroundings with practiced eyes.
I hiss, knuckles still stinging. “How long has he been paying you to follow me?”
His gaze roams the empty parking lot, then goes to mine. “Since you walked out.” He sighs. “He has enemies, and not just the leader of the organized crime, but also other boxers, fans.” He juts his chin. “Especially now with a baby on the way.”
Now that I remember, he mentioned Johnny the night he came home drunk. It slipped my mind.
Oh God, Max must know. I’m sure Johnny told him, but why has he not mentioned it? “How much have you told him?” And what about my trips to the rehab center.
“Nothing.”
My unkempt eyebrows arch. “Nothing? And how did you know I was pregnant? Yes, you see me go to the OB-GYN, but I could have been going for other reasons.”
“I have kids, and besides, you were holding an ultrasound photo.”
Well, that explains it. “Look, I have planned on telling him the truth, but the fact is, I can never get a hold of him, and something always happens when I try to. So, I just started concentrating on my mental health.”
Johnny lifts a hand. “I know you’re going through a lot.
I’ve been a witness to it all. You’re a strong woman.
You have been dragged through hell and back.
And you’re still standing.” He leans his back against my Mustang.
“My lips have been sealed. As long as you’re safe, I don’t say a word to Max. ”
“Thank you, I appreciate it. It seems things happen for reasons. At first, I didn’t know if I should be happy or upset.
Not because I didn’t want a baby, but because I felt it was the wrong time.
Then I realized it was the perfect time.
While I felt weak, my child became my strength.
If something ever happened to Max or me, I know I have my sister, brother, and Lana, who would be there for my kids.
I don’t want them to ever face the cruelty that Max and I have gone through. ”
What Max has gone through is much worse than I have, of course, and there are so many children out in this world who have probably gone through much worse. Hell.
“Children are a gift; they keep you on your toes.” He leans off the car. “Congratulations on your baby.” He laughs. “I can’t wait for Max to find out. He’s going to turn into a human shield.”
I snort, but a smile tugs on my lips. His birthday is next week.
Maybe I can surprise him. Like those announcement videos you see online.
I think of the face he’ll make. The dimple that deepens when he grins.
The twinkle in his eyes when he’s surprised.
I saw a cute one where they got the ultrasound photo on a onesie.
Maybe I can do that and drop it off. Getting a hold of Max is hard.
Every time we run into one another, a phone call comes in.
“I’m sure he will. Well, I better head home. I need to shower. I don’t feel glass on me but…”
“You’re insane.”
I dart my eyes at him. “You were watching me. Why didn’t you stop me?”
He shrugs. “Because it seemed you had it all together. Sunglasses.” His gaze goes to my coat on my arm. “And a coat for protection. I figured you needed to release steam.”
He’s not wrong. I’ve had so much pent-up anger since I saw the news article.
Now that Max confirmed it was fake news, I do feel slightly better, but at the same time, I feel like shit for smashing his windows.
Feminine rage is something else. I think I even terrified myself.
“Now you know I can explode at any given time.”
He laughs, walking to his car. He shouts, “I can’t believe you punched her.”
My knuckles are a little pink, but so worth it. The look on her face was priceless. Serves that bitch right. She took those photos thinking she could trick me into believing they were together.
My engine roars as I drive out of the parking lot. Leo…I shake my head. We just spoke hours ago. He was already there. I’ve been to those fights. They are brutal.