Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Again, Caleb studied me closely before nodding his head. “If all that’s bullshit, it’s really good bullshit.” He tilted his head. “But I don’t think it is. I think you mean every word you’re saying.”
“I do, Caleb. With everything I am.”
“Good.” He put his shoulders back. “She’s always looking out for everyone else and forgets to take care of herself.”
“You can count on me. I swear it.”
He gave me a curt nod and turned to go. “Caleb?” When I called, he stopped, turning his head in my direction. “First thing in the morning. Unless you want to talk now.”
“About your past? Why you went to prison?”
“Yeah. I had to tell your mom first.”
“So she could censor you?” The kid was a master at interrogation. At least, interrogating someone who cared about the information he was spilling and the people involved.
I winced. “Well, I wouldn’t put it quite like that…”
“But you wanted her to approve of how you worded what you told me.”
Again, I winced. Christ, this kid! “Look. I promised I wouldn’t lie to you, and I won’t. But I will always defer to your mom on shit like this. I hope you and I can be the best of friends, but mother trumps friend in this case.”
“I hear you. But don’t worry about it.” He actually smirked at me. “I heard you talking to Mom before you guys went to bed. I know all of it. And I do mean all of it.”
“Christ, Caleb.” I wanted to be horrified and part of me was. What came out was a clipped laugh.
Violet snorted awake, looking around her with confusion but not fear. “Caleb?” Violet’s voice was slurred with sleep. She tried to open her eyes but only managed to get one eye open for longer than a couple of seconds. Part way.
“Everything’s good, Mom,” Caleb leaned in and kissed Violet on top of her head. “Go back to sleep.”
“Love you, squirt.” Violet stretched and held her hand up to her son even as she laid her head back on my chest.
Caleb took her hand and squeezed lightly before letting go. “Love you too, Mom.”
We both waited a few minutes for Violet to settle. I doubted she’d remember this. I hoped she didn’t remember this…
Caleb stared at me as I lay there with his mother in my arms, cuddling her against me. What the fuck else was I supposed to do? The kid had this whole intimidation thing down pat. In a fight, I could take the kid. Easy. The problem was, there was no way I’d fight Caleb. If he thought I needed a beating, I’d take it like a man.
Finally, Caleb glanced down at his mother. In the dim light from the clock on the nightstand, I saw his features soften before he looked back at me again. Instantly his expression changed to one of menace. Then he pointed at his eyes with two fingers, then pointed the fingers at me. He did this a couple times, raising his eyebrows when he finished. I nodded my acknowledgment. He was watching me. Good to know. The young man finally nodded back at me before turning to leave.
Once Caleb had closed the door behind him, I let out a long breath. Christ, that kid was going to give me a heart attack before this was over.
I glanced down at Violet, her face peaceful in sleep against my chest. The weight of her trust crushed me in the best possible way. I’d spent sixteen years in prison with nothing but my rage and regret for company. Now I had this woman and her son in my life, and I’d kill anyone who tried to take them from me.
Just as I suspected, Violet didn’t move afterward. Apparently, the woman was exhausted. And, honestly, I was surprised she hadn’t crashed already. Probably because she didn’t have a safe place to let her guard down. I’d be lying if the thought of her being comfortable enough with me, safe enough with me, to get the rest she needed didn’t make me feel ten feet tall.
I kissed the top of Violet’s head before closing my eyes again. She didn’t move.
I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew, the room was flooded with sunlight from the open curtains. Violet was still sound asleep in the same position. Her hand rested lightly on my chest. There was a soft, contented look on her face. My heart melted. Never in my life had I felt so proud and important. This woman needed me. I knew better than anyone who’d never been to prison how rare a truly, peaceful sleep was when you didn’t feel safe.
I had no desire to move. I didn’t care how uncomfortable I was becoming, only that Violet didn’t seem interested in moving, and I wanted her to sleep as long as she could. She needed it. Unfortunately, my phone buzzed. Several times. I’d initially tried to ignore it, but after the fifth time someone tried to call, I knew I was going to have to answer.