Chapter 28
Frankly, I’m shocked I managed to get through dinner without embarrassing myself. It wasn’t exactly comfortable to walk into the restaurant at the resort with a boner tucked into the waistband of my jeans.
Nor was it easy to refrain from decking every motherfucker who couldn’t keep their eyes off my woman.
But most difficult of all, was to get every bite and drink in my mouth without spilling, because my every last braincell died when I saw Mia in that fucking dress. She looks like heaven and sin—too good to be sullied by my hands but begging to be ruined.
“I had no idea this was here,” Mia says, as candlelight dances across her face.
“The Andersens purchased the resort when they started Swift Property Management. It’s been a cash cow that kept the family afloat after the ranch went under. Reid brought it back to life just a couple years ago.
“They’ve worked tirelessly to provide the luxury vacationers expect in the Rockies.
The food here’s some of the best I’ve ever had—aside from your cooking, of course.
But dear god, don’t breathe a word about this to Cecelia, or Frank at The Flying Pig, or they’ll never feed me again.
” Mia’s laugh warms my soul, her happiness the most important thing I can provide.
“It really is lovely,” Mia admires the grand space for the umpteenth time this evening.
The server places between us an obscenely large slice of decadent chocolate cake, dripping with raspberry compote. “Your dessert, Mr. and Mrs. Clark.”
I don’t bother correcting him, nor does Mia. There’s no question in my mind she’ll be Mrs. Clark soon enough. Which reminds me.
I spoon-feed her a piece of cake and wait for her mouth to be occupied before I begin.
“Have you given any thought to moving forward with your divorce?”
The question is blunt and insensitive, but now that she’s mine, I refuse to share her or Everly with that small-dicked waste of oxygen.
She needs to be officially divorced and rid of Carter before I can marry her and adopt Everly—which I have every intention of doing as soon as Mia is ready.
She demurely wipes her mouth and takes a sip of her peach iced tea, her eyes locked to mine throughout.
“I have,” she states simply. “You mentioned you could help me start the process?”
I hesitate, unsure of how much I should reveal, but Mia isn’t one of my clients. I’ll never hide anything from her.
“Mmhmm. I may have taken it several steps further in the meantime,” I admit. When her brow raises, I rip off the bandage and confess it all.
“You already know I inherited the hardware store when my dad passed.” Confusion morphs her face as I take a wide left turn.
“I also inherited another family business—one that’s not exactly above-board.” I lower my voice out of habit.
“Let me start by saying I’ll tell you anything you want to know, I’ll never keep secrets from you unless it’ll hurt you or the girls. And even then, I’d tell you if you asked.” She nods, not looking disgusted or afraid, so I continue.
“My family has a history of dealing in the business of information. Say you want to buy a piece of property that hasn’t been for sale in fifty years.
You come to me with information I might find valuable—such as, so-and-so’s cheating on her husband.
In exchange, I give you information in return—such as, the property owner’s deeply in debt, and would sell for the right price. ”
“Okay…that doesn’t sound so bad,” she says as optimistically as her nerves will allow.
“Often times it’s not so bad, secrets for secrets. But other times, it’s less savory,” I say pointedly.
“Can you give me an example?” she asks.
“Of course, honey, anything you want to know. An example would be—” I comb through my mental filing system to find something that’s illegal, but not heinous enough to scare her.
A situation comes to mind that’s inherently similar to her own and may be the simplest way to introduce her to what I’m about to propose.
“Jane Doe comes to me because she’s ready to leave her abusive husband, John.
John’s a respected member of the community, and his crimes have gone unnoticed for years.
In a situation like this, I provide help before requesting any information as payment.
I get her to a safe place, out of her husband’s grasp.
” Mia’s azure eyes flash with something I can’t name.
“Say I’ve been gathering information on John Doe for quite some time.
He enjoys gambling but is terrible at it.
John comes to me asking where his wife is.
I tell him it’s not his concern anymore, and if he knows what’s best for him, he’ll let her go.
He refuses. So, I exchange favors with the sheriff’s department, the judge, and his bookie.
“Jane confirms key movements throughout John’s day that I pass along, allowing the bookie to collect, or for the sheriff to show up at an inopportune time for John. The judge throws the book at him, and he gets locked up.
“Suddenly, he’s much more agreeable to cooperating in exchange for quietly giving Jane a noncontentious divorce and generous settlement.”
Mia’s mind is working overtime; I can see the pieces clicking together.
“So, when you said you’d help me get away from Carter…” She pauses, her unasked question hanging heavy over the chocolate cake.
“I meant it. I’ll do everything in my power to get you and Everly away from him, permanently. I’ll call in every favor, grease every wheel, and get my hands as dirty as necessary to protect you, honey.”
I wait for her to cry, or grow afraid, but instead, she giggles.
“What’s so funny?” I chuckle.
“You’re like Batman,” she says, trying not to laugh.
I lean back in my chair crossing my arms across my chest—I can’t wait to hear this.
“Upstanding citizen by day, vigilante by night.” Her giggle soothes an ache I’ve carried since my dad died. Her joy is as infectious as it is healing.
“For you, honey, I’d light the match and watch the world burn if it meant keeping you and the girls safe.”
She composes herself and offers me a bite of the sinful dessert. I lock my fingers around her dainty wrist and pull the fork to my mouth. I lick it clean, my eyes never leaving hers.
“If you’re comfortable with it, I’ve got an attorney lined up with James as co-counsel, paperwork filled out, and a favor called in to the judge to expedite the proceedings.
We’ll get you divorced as painlessly as possible.
It’s up to you if you want to go for full custody of Everly or want to take more drastic measures. ”
“What do you mean?”
“Depending on what leverage you have on him, we could try to get him to sign away his parental rights and you’d be rid of him for good.”
That’s what I want, but what I want doesn’t matter. This is about Mia reclaiming her freedom.
“Will I have to talk to him?” She shrinks.
“Not a single word. We can get him served with the paperwork by a third party and have the lawyers hash it out. The judge is ready to issue a no-contact order, so you never have to face him again. You tell me when, and I’ll pull the trigger,” I promise.
Mia’s quiet, processing everything I’ve offered and revealed. I need her permission to get the ball rolling, but if I have to, I’ll get her away from him at any cost.
“How did I get so lucky to find you? I can barely believe the lengths you’ve gone to protect me and Everly.” Her sweet voice cracks with emotion.
“You’ve got it all wrong, honey. I’m the lucky one. Let me do this for you.”
I’m hopelessly in love with this woman, and I’ll do any and everything to make her mine.
“Okay.” Her dazzling smile gives me the green light to bury Carter Whitaker.
“Mommy?” Harper asks tentatively. The girls are still adjusting to our new roles and titles in the family.
“Yea, pumpkin?” Mia responds without hesitation.
“I made you a valentine today at school.” The apples of my daughter’s cheeks flood red.
Mia kneels on the floor next to Harper at the dining table.
The girls are eating their afterschool snack—which today, consists of fruit with yogurt dip and celery with peanut butter because they were pumped full of sugar at their class Valentine’s Day parties, and will be in a sugar coma after the party Cecelia’s throwing at the ranch.
That woman’s eating up having two grandbabies like candy.
Harper unfolds the valentine and hands it to Mia. Tears flood her blue eyes, and she wraps her new daughter in a mama-bear hug.
“I love it, Harper! It’s beautiful. You made this yourself? It looks like you bought it at a fancy shop!”
Harper nods rapidly. Mia’s a world-class mom, always making the girls feel seen and appreciated.
“Thank you, I’m going to keep it forever. Can I hang it on the fridge?” Mia asks.
Harper agrees and glows with happiness as her new mom cherishes the gift she made with her own two hands.
“Everly, did you make any valentine’s at school?” Mia asks, her mini-me a mess of yogurt and peanut butter.
“No,” she chirps, happy as can be.
Mia gives me one of those, did you hear that, parent looks, and I shrug. That one’s a firecracker, we never know what’s going to come out of her.
After everyone makes a mandatory bathroom stop, we pile into my truck and head to Lucky Spurs Ranch.
Walter opens the door with a flourish and carts the munchkins into the kitchen to get them all sugared up, and we make our way to the den where the adults have gathered with a smaller spread of chocolate covered fruits, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic sparkling wines.
“I’m just saying it’s weird,” Connor not-so-quietly whispers to Delilah.
“Maybe a little, but as long as she’s happy, right?” she responds to her best-friend-turned-husband.
“Who are we talking about?” Olivia butts in, nosey as always.
“Quincy,” Connor and Delilah say at the same time.
“What’s going on?” James says, mouth full of chocolate, picking my little sister up like she weighs nothing and moving her aside.