Chapter 19
Lila
Today, we were having a celebratory event of sorts.
Not only had Bronson gone to the world about a kidney for me, but Cole and his team had won the State Championship.
And I couldn’t be prouder of him.
Sure, I had to sit in the stands with a heated blanket wrapped around me that was plugged into a generator, but I was there for every single play.
And when Cole saw that, I watched my boy wipe a tear from his cheek.
I was in love.
I had fallen in love with Madalyn, and then Cole, and then Bronson.
So, freaking in love that it hurt when that evil bitch, who was Satan incarnate, walked into their house like she owned the place.
Bypassing Cole, not even saying a word to him.
And when she sneered at Madalyn’s pretty dress, I said, fuck it.
Madalyn
I tried.
I tried so hard not to let her disapproval get to me.
Just like I always did.
But then... Lila was there.
She wrapped her arm around my waist and pulled me into her side.
And something deep inside my heart started repairing itself.
Lila
“If you ever walk past Cole and do not acknowledge him again. If you ever look at your daughter again, who is amazing, sweet, and kind, with anything but the utmost love and respect, I’ll drag you by those sickening extensions and beat the hell out of you. Don’t. Test. Me,” Lila growled.
Cole
I watched as the woman who had given birth to my sister, and I walked into the house, like she owned it, bypassed me, and went right to Madalyn.
But I shouldn’t have worried.
Because there was Lila by her side.
Then I moved.
Bronson
I growled at the bitch I saw walking through my house.
Through our house.
I’d had fucking enough.
“That won’t be necessary, baby,” I said as I pressed a kiss to Lila’s temple, then winked at Madalyn.
Cole was at my side.
I looked at my ex of a bitch, who had earned the name Ms. Nothing Cuntnugget.
Yes, the term cuntnugget fit her. But for the nothing part... it was because she didn’t matter.
And after this, she never would.
I tagged my phone and hit a button.
He answered on the second ring, “DeLuca.”
“She’s here.”
He chuckled darkly.
“Be inside shortly.”
Then I hung up and smiled at Eve.
“Why are you smiling?” she sneered.
“Oh... about three to four more seconds and you will cease to exist.”
I grinned as I watched Ivan Svanokov walk into my house, and then he headed straight to where we were standing.
“You really shouldn’t have upset Gabriel DeLuca’s wife. Furthermore, you shouldn’t have upset the woman I plan to give my last name to.”
Eve’s face paled, and before the dumb bitch could move, Ivan did.
He wrapped his hand around her arm so painfully that Eve winced. Oops.
He jerked his chin up at me and then led her out of our house.
Good fucking riddance.
“Do I want to know?” Lila asked.
I looked down at her and smiled, “Tell you later.”
Lila
I leaned my head back on his chest as we watched the movie.
Everyone had already gone home.
Cole and Madalyn had already gone to bed an hour ago.
And then I grabbed his hand that was around my chest, and whispered, “Touch me. Please.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“More than sure,” I whispered.
His fingers moved to my nipple through my camisole and his other hand... well... it was tracing lazy circles against my belly as it moved lower... and lower... and fucking hell yes... lower.
My eyes closed of their own volition; my head fell back to rest against his chest.
His fingers teased and prodded, and then... I saw stars.
I arched into him, trusting him to catch me.
To always catch me.
But in time?
We all knew he wouldn’t be able to.
We had only been defying the inevitable.