Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“You look different,” Maggie told Addison a few days later, when the entire team had gotten together at Safe and Wren’s house. They were celebrating another successful mission, everyone coming home safely, and simply the joy of spending time with friends.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Remi said.
“I’m just happy Ricky is home.”
“Girl, we’re all happy our guys are back,” Wren said with feeling.
“No. I mean, yes, we are,” Maggie said. “But Addison looks extra happy. Did Tex come through with the adoption approval yet?”
“Well, we got a call from our case agent and she said that she saw no reason why we wouldn’t be approved. The kids are happy and their interviews went really well. All three said they wanted to stay with us, that they didn’t want to go back to their country. Our home visits have all been good, and of course our background checks came back clean.”
“That’s great. And…?” Maggie pressed.
Addison knew she was blushing. She couldn’t help it. “And…things with Ricky and I are going really well.”
Everyone had huge smiles on their faces.
“We know what that means,” Remi said with a little smirk.
“Is this when we get to talk about sex?” Wren asked.
Everyone giggled.
“I hate when Nate is deployed,” Josie said. “Especially after what happened to him and his previous team, not to mention that little Iran thing. But, I have to say, I really like when he comes home. I swear a few weeks without makes him extra horny.”
“Right?” Remi agreed. “I’m not complaining, but if I didn’t know better, I’d think Vincent was a teenage boy again.”
“Try mixing in pregnancy hormones and a guy who didn’t have any experience before me,” Maggie said dryly. “I’m surprised I can walk normally.”
“Yup,” Wren said.
“That’s it?” Remi asked. “Just ‘yup’?”
“Uh-huh. I’m in complete agreement with you guys. All of what you said and more.”
“More?” Josie asked. “More would kill me.”
“You’re being awfully quiet,” Maggie told Addison.
“I’m with Wren. I agree. But…” She hesitated, then decided to just go for it. If she couldn’t talk to these women about her life, who could she talk to? “It’s even more intense when you and your husband decide not to worry about birth control and let nature take its course.”
All four of the other women squealed in excitement.
“I knew something was up!” Maggie crowed.
“Another kid? You’re made of stronger stuff than me!”
“That’s awesome.”
“How are you not walking bowlegged?”
Addison couldn’t keep the huge smile off her face. She loved these women and felt so blessed to call them friends. When she’d married Ricky, she’d not only gained a family, financial security, help with Ellory’s medical bills, and a man she loved more than she’d ever thought possible…she’d gotten a group of friends who were the best support system she’d ever had.
“Calm down,” she told them. “There’s no guarantee we’ll get pregnant anytime soon.”
“That’s what we thought,” Maggie sighed.
“You aren’t worried about how tough it’ll be with the four you’ve already got?” Wren asked.
“Oh, I’m worried. Freaking out. But here’s the thing—I raised Ellory on my own. That wasn’t a walk in the park. Not at all. But now that I have Ricky, and you guys, and even Caroline and her crew, I feel as if I’m much more prepared this time around. I know it won’t be easy. Starting over doesn’t completely appeal. But…having Ricky’s child? I can’t stop picturing him holding an infant in his muscular arms. Just thinking about it makes my ovaries want to explode.”
“Giiiiirl. Now I’m thinking the same thing,” Josie whined. “Nate wants kids. No, that’s wrong. He wants twins. Like him and his brother. And since they run in his family, with my luck, I’ll probably have triplets or more.”
“That would be awesome!” Remi breathed.
“That’s because you wouldn’t have to carry them around and squeeze them out your hoo-hah!” Josie countered.
Everyone roared in laughter.
“We want kids too,” Wren said. “But we also both want some time with just us first.”
“Well, you can practice with my baby when it arrives,” Maggie said, rubbing her belly.
“And anytime you want to take Artem, Borysko, and Yana for an afternoon, just let me know,” Addison threw in with a wink.
“Rent-a-baby! We can rotate them through our houses!” Remi exclaimed.
“If you guys would hurry up and get preggo already, our kids can all grow up together and have sleepovers and stuff,” Maggie countered.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Josie mused.
“What’s not a bad idea?” Safe asked as he and Blink approached where the women were sitting on the back porch. They’d been entertaining Artem and Borysko in the yard while the women chatted. Yana and Ellory were inside with the other guys, doing who knows what. Yana was probably watching a Disney movie and there was no telling with Ellory.
“Oh my, look at the time!” Josie exclaimed, looking at her wrist. A wrist that wasn’t wearing a watch. “I forgot about that…thing…we needed to do at home,” she told Blink.
He stared at her for a beat, then nodded as if he knew exactly what Josie was talking about.
“Have fun,” Remi called out, when Josie stood to join Blink.
“Yeah, but not too much!” Wren added.
Josie smiled at everyone, then grabbed Blink’s arm and towed him into the house.
“What the hell was that?” Safe asked.
Wren stood and hooked her arm through his. “Don’t worry about it, hon.”
“They’re cool though?”
“More like red hot, I’d say,” Wren answered with a smirk.
Safe had a confused look on his face, and Addison couldn’t help laughing with the other women. Their men had no idea what they were in for tonight. All the talk about babies had obviously struck a chord, and Addison wasn’t the only one who seemed to be eager for some alone time with her man.
“Addy. Cookies?” Borysko asked. He was sweaty and smelled like a little boy who’d been running around in the warm sun. Addison didn’t hate it. Not at all.
“I think, yeah, we could all use some cookies about now. Run inside and wash your hands.” The little boy turned to run into the house, but Addison stopped him by adding, “And take Artem with you.”
Borysko made a U-turn and ran out into the yard to get his brother. Artem seemed to resist until he heard the word cookie, then he was chasing Borysko into the house, pushing him to try to get in front to beat him to the bathroom and wash up.
The women all went inside and Addison’s gaze swept the room, looking for her loved ones. Yana was sitting on the couch staring down at her iPad, completely engrossed. Ricky was talking to Flash and Smiley. And Ellory…
Addison frowned. Her daughter was sitting in one of the chairs in the living room, her knees drawn up to her chest. She had her cell in her hand, and she was scowling at it even as her fingers flew over the screen.
She was so engrossed in what she was doing, she didn’t notice her mom standing next to her until Addison cleared her throat.
Looking up, Ellory seemed frustrated.
“What’s up?” Addison asked.
In response, Ellory sighed. “He won’t stop.”
Addison’s belly clenched. She knew who “he” was. “Did you tell him you were busy?”
“Yeah. He just tried to make me feel guilty.”
Addison held out her hand. “Let me see, honey.”
Without hesitation, Ellory handed her phone to her mom.
An arm wound around Addison’s waist, and she leaned into Ricky. “Something wrong?”
“You want to go supervise the kids?” Addison asked her daughter. “Make sure they don’t eat twelve cookies and throw up?”
“Okay.”
As soon as she was out of earshot, Ricky said, “He’s still texting her?”
“Apparently.” Addison clicked open the messaging app and held it so Ricky could read over her shoulder.
Brady : Hey, whatcha doing?
Ellory : Hanging out
Brady : I’d love to see you again.
Ellory : Yeah
Brady : When?
Ellory : IDK
Brady : I’d love to just hang out with you on your own. Your mom tends to hover.
Ellory : Maybe
Brady : So when? What about this weekend?
Ellory : I have a play
Brady : Can I come watch?
Ellory : I don’t think you’d like it. I’m not IN the play, just doing the lights
Brady : Oh yeah. How about lunch?
Ellory : I’m fasting right now
Brady : So when? Come on, El. I’m trying here.
Ellory : IDK I have to talk to my mom
Brady : If you don’t want to, just come out and say it. I mean, I’m trying really hard to have a relationship with my daughter and it doesn’t seem as if you’re all that into it. Is your SEAL dad enough for you? You don’t need your REAL dad?
Ellory : I didn’t say that I just don’t know
Brady : What are you doing right now? Maybe I can come over.
Ellory : I’m not home, I’m at a family thing
Brady : A family thing that doesn’t include me?
Ellory : It’s with Ricky’s SEAL friends
Brady : I get it. I’m only a janitor. You’re embarrassed to be seen with me.
Ellory : I didn’t say that
Brady : Then agree to see me again. I want to get to know my daughter.
Brady : Ellory? Are you still there?
Brady : Don’t ignore me. Your mom used to do that and it pissed me off.
Brady : I’m serious. Answer me.
Addison’s fingers were moving before she thought about it. She vaguely heard Ricky growl into her ear, but she didn’t need him to take care of this. She could handle her ex. And this would be the last damn time he spoke like that to their daughter.
Ellory: This is Addison. Don’t you ever speak to Ellory that way again. Don’t try to make her feel guilty about spending time with her family. She’ll see you on her own timetable, not yours. And I’m telling you right now, harassing her isn’t making her want to see you at all. Back off, Brady. I mean it!
She was breathing hard by the time she hit send. Her ex was an idiot. If he couldn’t tell that he was pushing too hard, was being a total ass, that was on him. But she’d be damned if Ellory suffered because of his stupidity.
Brady : I’m sorry. I don’t have experience in being a dad. I just want to see her. To get to know her better. And since she won’t answer my calls, texting is the only way I have to talk to her.
Ellory : If you don’t want me to block you altogether, you’d better get your shit together. I’m serious.
Brady : Okay. I’ll be better. I swear.
Brady : So…when can I see her again?
Addison groaned in frustration. He didn’t get it. Not at all.
Ellory : We’ll be in touch. Now don’t text again, we’re busy.
“What do you need from me?” Ricky asked, hugging her from behind. He put his chin on her shoulder as he tightened his arms.
“This,” Addison said, leaning against him. “Why won’t he get a clue?”
“I don’t know.”
That answer didn’t make Addison feel any better. Even though Ricky was as in the dark as she was as to Brady’s motives, she was still hoping for some sort of male insight.
Shoving Ellory’s phone into her pocket, she turned in Ricky’s arms. “If we ever get divorced and you want to see our kid…don’t be an ass like Brady is being.”
“First, we aren’t getting divorced. I’m not an idiot like him. I know when I’ve got the best thing that ever happened to me, and I’m not going to do anything to fuck it up. Second, I’m going to have a close relationship with our children. I’m always going to support him or her, and you. So you don’t have to worry about me ever not pulling my weight, emotionally, physically, or monetarily.”
Addison took a deep breath and melted into her husband. She needed this. Him. Needed to be reminded that there were good men in the world. Good fathers. She didn’t need Ricky to tell her that he would always be there for their kids. She knew that without a doubt.
“I’m sorry. I just…he’s so frustrating!”
“I can have a talk with him if you want,” Ricky said.
“No,” Addison said immediately. “Your talk will just end up with him yelling and getting pissed off.”
“All right. But if he has one more ‘discussion’ with El like he had today, I’m finding him and setting him straight. Just letting you know ahead of time so you don’t get mad when he tattles to you like the baby he is.”
Addison couldn’t help but chuckle at that. Ricky had her ex pegged. He would absolutely bitch that her husband had searched him out and yelled at him. It wouldn’t help sway her, not at all, but Brady was petty enough to try to get Ricky into trouble. As if.
“Your time with the girls go okay?” he asked.
Addison nodded, more than ready to change the subject. “Yeah.”
“Everything good with Josie? She and Blink left pretty fast.”
Addison smiled at her husband. “We were talking about babies. And making babies. And how cool it would be if our kids were all around the same age and could grow up together. Josie thought it was a great idea, and since Maggie has a head start on all of us…” She let her voice trail off.
Ricky smiled, and Addison could feel his cock growing against her belly. “So she took her man home to have wild monkey baby-making sex.”
Addison laughed. “Pretty much.”
“Kevlar?” Ricky called without pulling away from his wife.
“Yeah?” his teammate yelled back.
“Can you bring the kids home in a couple hours?”
“Ricky!” Addison exclaimed, trying to untangle herself from him. But he wouldn’t loosen his arms.
“Sure. You good?”
“We’re good. Just have some stuff to do at home that we can’t manage with little people underfoot.”
“Understood. The same stuff Blink and Josie suddenly remembered they had to do, huh? Sure thing.”
Addison could feel that her face was bright red. But she couldn’t deny that the idea of a few hours alone in the house with Ricky was too appealing to pass up. They always had to be sure to be quiet so as not to wake the kids.
“Appreciate it,” Ricky said, pulling Addison toward the front door.
“Wait! We need to say bye to the kids. Tell them what’s happening.”
“Kevlar and the others will let them know.”
“Ricky!” she protested, letting him pull her out the door anyway.
She was laughing by the time they got to his car. He practically threw her inside before slamming the door and jogging around to the driver’s side. “Time’s a ticking,” he told her.
Licking her lips in anticipation, Addison felt like a naughty teenager. She reached out and put her hand on his thigh, moving it up until she was cupping his cock. “I’ve never sucked a man off in a car before,” she said suggestively.
“Fuck, woman. One, as much as I’d love for you to go down on me right here and now, you’d have to undo your seat belt, which is a hard no for me. Two…there’s no way I’d be able to control this car and come down your throat at the same time. Three…if you want a baby, down your throat is not where I need to orgasm. Hold that thought, sweetheart. We’ll be home in less than ten minutes.”
“Ricky?”
“Yeah?”
“Make it eight.”
She felt the car accelerate and smiled in satisfaction and anticipation.
* * *
“Fuck her!”
Brady was done. Done playing the role of doting father. Done trying to sweet talk his daughter. Fucking teenagers and their one-word answers. He’d made the right decision twelve years ago to walk away without a backward glance. He should’ve known taking a job back here in Riverton would eventually bring him face-to-face with his annoying fucking ex.
And seeing Addison again had made it impossible to avoid his daughter. At first, he’d actually had the fantasy that he’d meet Ellory and they’d get along great. That he’d easily charm her and she’d be thrilled to have a relationship with such a cool dad. But that idea died after their first meeting. The girl was exactly like her mom, just as uptight and annoying. Not to mention that disgusting disease. No smart man would deal with that shit—literally—for the rest of his life.
Once his plan for Ellory was done, he was moving away from this pissant town again. He’d go somewhere warm. Mexico…No, he didn’t speak Spanish and had no desire to learn. Hawaii? Yeah, Hawaii was perfect. He’d have plenty of money to get there and set up a sweet place. Surely his associate would have plenty of use for him in a popular tourist destination.
And fuck Addison and her threats! He’d show that bitch what happened when she crossed him. If Ellory wouldn’t spend time with him alone willingly, he knew exactly what to do. She was too old to fall for the “I’ve lost my dog” ruse that he’d used a couple times in the past to lure in children, but he knew what she loved most…
Her family.
She preferred that damn SEAL over him? Fine. He’d use that asshole against her.
This would be the first time he delivered a live body to his contact. The people they normally harvested from were already dead. He’d taken bodies and body parts from funeral homes…but he’d also been desperate enough a couple of times in the past to take someone against their will. Those had been extenuating circumstances. He’d been dead broke, had needed the money badly. And the fact was, kids were worth the most. Parents with children who needed a transplant were willing to pay whatever it cost to get a healthy heart, liver, lungs…
So Brady had gotten his contact what he’d wanted. A donor . On two separate occasions, he’d lured a kid into his car then smothered them. Fast and easy. And the payday was worth it.
This time was different. Since their buyer was overseas, they needed to keep Ellory alive until she got there. Keeping the organs fresh was key. The buyer was aware that she had shit wrong with her intestines, but since he was interested in her heart and brain, he didn’t care that she was fucked up below the waist.
Ellory was a means to an end. Period.
He’d make his move soon. She could enjoy her fucking play this weekend, enjoy spending time with her SEAL dad and foreigner siblings. Because it would be the last weekend she’d get with any of them. Ever. Next week, she’d be on her way overseas. It wouldn’t be a comfortable trip, stuffed into a Conex container, but Brady didn’t care. His contact had already paid off the right dock workers, and he’d make sure she had water so she didn’t die during the trip across the ocean.
But honestly, what happened to her after Brady handed her over didn’t matter. All that mattered was the payday he’d get after he made the drop.
Smiling, he threw himself down on the piece-of-shit sofa he’d dragged in from someone’s trash pile. This time next week, he’d be in Hawaii, screwing some hot chick in a string bikini who he’d picked up on the beach, and he could forget all about his fucking ex and her whiny daughter.