Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Francesca Rose
I turn my face up to the sun, basking in its warmth as I inhale a deep cleansing breath.
Sitting back on my heels, I arch my upper body, stretching out tight muscles.
There’s nothing like a nice, sunny day in the countryside with my hands in the dirt.
When Ashton first bought this place, dragging us here each summer, I hated it.
It was obvious he wanted to keep us close in case I had any ideas to run.
This new location felt like a gilded prison until Kathy convinced me to come outside and help her start a garden.
That’s when this place became one that I loved.
The Rose estate in Georgia sits on miles of land where the threat of danger is not as high as it is in Texas.
This property belongs to Ashton, so it’s not as well-known as the property that’s been passed down through the Rose generations.
“All the work we put into growing this garden goes to waste because that man won’t let me hire help to maintain it when we aren’t here,” I complain, aggressively tugging weeds out of the overgrown flowerbed.
Kathy snickers at my ire. “We could always find more excuses to visit the property throughout the year. The kids clearly love it.”
Right on cue, Kennedy lets out a loud squeal as she runs barefoot through the large yard, Nathan chasing her.
“You’re right about that. It’s nice hearing the sounds of them living a normal childhood.” I smile, watching my girl be free in a way I was never allowed.
Kennedy’s curls blow in the wind with carefree abandon.
She just turned four years old, and I want to protect her blossoming personality.
I giggle at her joy, capturing the memory in my mind for when she is no longer this little.
A movement in my periphery has me looking towards the house to find Michael leaning against the siding watching me.
He gives me a sexy smirk before turning and going back in the house.
I watch until I can’t see him any longer, my goofy smile in place the entire time.
The feeling of being watched is overwhelming as I look down the side of the house to find Ashton watching me from his office window.
His cold, assessing eyes slide from me to the children before he turns around, leaving me to stare at the back of his office chair.
My attention goes back to the kids, and I see them through Ashton’s eyes, soldiers that he plans to mold into whatever he wants.
After Victor showed up on our doorstep the night he lost his wife, Ashton decided to send him north.
We took Nathan in without hesitation. My heart broke for the sweet boy, but selfishly I loved that Kennedy would have someone to play with.
Ashton stated that Kennedy would benefit from Nathan’s loyalty as they grew older.
He continued to drop those subtle reminders that he would eventually snatch her away.
The thought still brings tears to my eyes, knowing there’s nothing I can do.
“You’re giving them a normal childhood, Franny. I’ve seen a lot in my time working with the Roses, and you're bringing joy to a home that isn’t normally there.” Kathy squeezes my hand. “These memories will stay with her.”
“It’s the least I can do. Bringing her into this world, not fully knowing what that man has in store for her. I need to instill as much humanity as possible.”
My only pastime these days is hovering over Kennedy, watching her every move. It annoys Ashton just how protective I am. He only gives her enough attention that she believes he’s her father, and has just enough patience with her that she actually trusts him. The sweet innocence of a child.
A wail of pain snaps me out of my thoughts and I’m up faster than I can process. When I turn, Kennedy is standing over Nathan and looking over at me with big tears in her eyes. I rush over, throwing my gardening gloves behind me, and fall to my knees in front of the kids.
“Nathan, sweetheart, what happened?” I try to keep my voice calm and not startle either of them.
“Mommy, it's my turn to play monster. I didn’t mean to hurt him,” Kennedy explains with downturned lips and a sniffle.
“My hand hurts,” Nathan says, cradling his wrist.
“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.”
I scoop him up, plopping him on my hip. At five years old, he is older and a little thicker than my Kennedy.
It’s not lost on me that both of these kids are getting heavier, and one day I won’t be able to hold onto them anymore.
Kennedy wraps her arms around my leg, and I run my hand over her soft curls.
We make it through the kitchen entrance, both kids crying, more so competing for my affection than anything.
Moms know the difference between true cries and wails for attention.
Nevertheless, Kathy grabs Kennedy, babying and shushing her before sitting her at the kitchen table with a little snack.
I’m grateful that Ashton allows her to travel with us to help manage the children.
In the five years of our marriage, his respect towards Kathy is the only good attribute I’ve found within him.
I gently sit Nathan on the counter next to the sink, giving him my full attention.
In some ways, I believe us taking him in saved me.
Ashton doesn’t trust anyone, let alone a babysitter.
And I know he wouldn’t burden Kathy with all that’s already on her plate.
He knows that I will do the hard part of raising these children, therefore giving me a purpose, a reason for him to keep me alive.
“Let me see it,” I prompt gently.
“Am I bleeding?” he asks softly, with a slight wince before looking away.
“Nope!” I say with a smile. “Just a few scratches that I’m gonna clean right up. Then we can put some medicine on it, and a bandage.”
“A bandage?” His eyes light up. I nod at him with a big smile. “Yes! I love bandages.”
We know. I chuckle at his excitement. Behind me Kennedy squeals with laughter, my favorite sound in the world, and I turn to see Kathy making funny faces.
“Is there a pig in here? I hear squealing.” A warm, deep voice comes from my left.
My attention slides to Michael, wearing a smile that I knew I would find on his face. A smile that wasn’t even trained on me, but on the little girl that’s stolen more than one heart around here.
“Oink oink.” Kennedy doesn’t miss a beat.
Her cuteness causes a round of laughter. The full adult laughter and the innocent giggles of babies too pure for this cruel world. A door opens down the hall and the adult laughter ends, but the child-like wonder continues with oinks bouncing back and forth across the kitchen.
The heavy footfalls move through the hallways at a leisurely pace until Ashton appears in the doorway.
His suit jacket is gone, and his shirt sleeves are rolled to expose his muscular forearms. It’s been a couple of weeks since his last haircut, so he looks a little disheveled.
A testament to the issues the Rose empire is currently facing.
When Victor was sent away Ashton refused to appoint a new second, and he’s been struggling trying to keep everything together himself.
The room falls silent as his gaze moves from face to face, taking in the joyous moment.
“Francesca, keep the children quiet! I’m tending to important business,” he snaps at me.
I release a deeply impatient sigh, concentrating on Nathan’s hand. Even if we have a deal, I still bite my tongue, very aware of the fights I pick with him. “They’re children, Ashton, but I will do what I can.”
“Daddy, listen, I’m a piggy!” Kennedy snorts, making pig noises.
I turn to see cold, dead eyes examining my sweet baby girl, and I hate that this is the person she calls “daddy”. My eyes move to Michael and the joy that was present moments ago has vanished, and in its place is calm indifference, but I see the hurt in his eyes.
Nathan speaks up, turning my attention back to him.
“Franny, is the medicine gonna hurt?” he asks softly.
“No, sweetie. It will be quick and painless,” I say with a comforting smile.
Ashton scoffs before tossing out his parting words. “It won’t be long until I squash this weakness you’ve embedded in my soldiers.”
Once he is gone, I finish cleaning up Nathan’s hand.
The kids are quiet. Their joy has been completely ripped away by that heartless man.
Michael graciously offers to take the kids back outside and I watch from the window as Kennedy and Nathan take off running again.
I want that joy for them forever and I know the only way to achieve it.
“Should’ve let him take y’all away,” Kathy’s voice is low as she walks up to my side, staring at the kids with me.
“Yeah, I know.”
Even I can hear the deep regret in my voice. She grabs my hand, giving me a reassuring squeeze.