We drive through a sparse commercial area, which I guess constitutes the city’s downtown. Passing by metal sided warehouses, Dairy Queen and a small bank. A resale shop, decorated with a mannequin bride and her wedding party in the window, backs up to a liquor store. The only business with any customers is a gas station featuring a deal on pizza. Who the fuck buys pizza from a gas station?

Living in a small town must be hell. But you'd never know it by the enormous smile glowing on her stunning face. Her soft, ivory hand squeezing my fingers. Happy to be home.

Eli's almost as ecstatic, straining against the safety belt strapping him into his booster seat, to scan every inch of the view outside his window. Poor kid probably thinks a horse is just going to gallop right up next to the Escalade.

Their enthusiasm must be rubbing off on me. I relax in my seat, loosening my grip on the wheel. It is nice to actually see the horizon and not be boxed in by sky scrapers and clueless dumb ass drivers. The closer we get to her house the more I feel like I'm in a different world. Trees intersperse with endless rows of billowing corn stalks lining each side of the narrow road. Eli squeals from a herd of cows bunched together around hay bales in a fenced field next to her driveway.

Gravel crunches under the tires as we follow the winding path to a concrete pad big enough to hold four vehicles, plus a huge beige tractor that elicits an even bigger squeal from Eli. Pots, heavy with ferns, hang from the ceiling of the wrap-around porch, while red planters, bursting with white flowers, line the wooden steps. Coordinating with the American flag waving from a black iron post. A perfect country home.

"Can we go horseback riding now?"

Eli unbuckles his seat belt and shoves open the door, already sliding down the side of the leather cushion to hit the ground. Molly giggles from his desperate plea, but shakes her head. “Not yet. We’re going to the festival tonight, remember? But tomorrow, I promise.”

“Okay.”

His furious nod doesn’t mask his disappointment, but he still accepts her outstretched hand. While I slide mine onto her lower back. A quick stroke over her perky ass before she swats at me. Entwining our fingers when the white front door swings open. Almost as if presenting us as her new family. Which I could totally fucking get used to.

A tall woman, her blond hair twisted in a bun on the back of her head, races down the stairs first, followed by an unsmiling man and a teenage girl with her high pony tail swinging as she leaps over the steps completely. The lady engulfs Molly, but ends up embracing all of us in the process. Which isn’t unwelcome. Too damn long since I’ve felt my own mother’s loving touch. Which I need to rectify as soon as we get back.

“Oh honey, I’ve missed you so much.”

“Me too, Mom.”

Unable to return her hug while holding onto us, Molly tucks into her neck, a deep sigh leaving her petite body. We stand in this awkward position until Eli starts squirming. Little man much too antsy to stay still for long. Especially with his belly growling.

The man I assume to be her father holds out his arms to her next, while Eli wanders over to me. His tiny hand tucks into mine, and I give his fingers a squeeze. He’s usually pretty outgoing, but I can’t blame him for being a little overwhelmed with the welcoming party of strangers.

After a quick hug to the girl, Molly spins around. Her face flushed with joy as she entwines our hands again. Which doesn’t get past her father, frowning again from our display of affection.

"Luciano, these are my parents, Junior and Belinda, and this is my little sister Caroline." She scoops up Eli to her hip, who quickly lays his head on her shoulder. Garnering another disapproving scowl from her Dad. Who’s already figured out the depth of his daughter’s immersion into our lives. Which will never fucking change. “And this is Luciano’s little brother, Eli.”

Eli remains silent but manages a small wave. Of course this elicits enormous smiles from Belinda and Caroline as no one with ovaries is immune to his adorable face and wily charms. Belinda pats his shoulder, and then gestures for all of us to follow her inside the house.

"Come in, come in. I've got snacks and drinks. I'm sure you're exhausted from your trip."

"Mom, it was only a two hour drive.”

They banter back and forth, easy going and familiar, when we traipse inside. While I wallow in fucking awkwardness with Junior’s resentment boiling under the surface. Which I’ve got to fucking overcome because I’ll be damned if anyone, including him, comes between me and Molly. His mortgage and other debts under my control fucking guarantee that.

Which winds a thread of guilt in my chest. Damn. Molly’s goodness rubbing off on me more than I like to admit. Fuck. I need to get my shit together. I can’t fucking threaten my soon-to-be father-in-law. This requires finesse and patience to earn his approval. Belinda’s gaze flits toward mine, jerking me out of my contemplation.

"You know we hope to remodel the kitchen soon, but… It's just with me not teaching anymore, we..." A nervous hand rubs over the short strands escaping from her bun, plastered to her neck in the humid air. "But someday, right Junior?"

Guilt flickers in his eyes while he caresses her back. "Yeah, honey. Someday."

Fuck yes. I hide my asshole smile. A perfect reminder of the power I hold over him. She doesn’t know about the loans to keep them afloat, and he has no fucking idea I own them now. Calming my anxiety because he’ll do anything to protect her as much as I will Molly. The two of us more alike than I realized.

“Eli, do you like watermelon?”

He nods and slides down Molly’s tanned leg, hopping into the chair closest to where Belinda has her cutting board sitting on the huge oak table. Slicing through the thick rind with a serrated knife almost as shiny as Eli’s dancing eyes. “Can I have a big piece?”

“Eli.”

Little shoulders rise to his chin from my reprimand. I hate to be an ass, but both of us have got to impress these people. Molly can’t have any reason to change her mind. About him or me. Especially from her family’s disapproval.

“I mean, please?”

“Of course you can honey.”

Belinda wrestles a huge triangle onto a plate and sets the dish in front of him. As much as he knows better, he can’t resist and leans forward to bite off the tip. Of course they all laugh which encourages him even more, shoving his face farther into the dark pink fruit. I let it slide since they’re all enjoying themselves. Which is my perfect chance to escape. I respectfully nod to her mother. “My housekeeper always worries Eli and I are going to somehow starve without her supervision, so she sent some food along. I’ll go out to the car and get it.”

A little white lie to help avoid the added cost of three more mouths to feed. Molly’s sister stops picking tiny white seeds out of her slice and whips her head toward me. “You have a housekeeper? Wow! You must be really ri‒”

Junior’s hand slides over her mouth, a severe shake of his head chastising her. “It’s rude to talk about money.”

Scarlet flames Caroline’s cheeks, and her gaze returns to her snack. Molly tugs her ponytail and gives her a Cheshire grin. A sweet gesture to soften some of her little sister’s embarrassment. God, I fucking love this woman.

“Excuse me.”

I stride through the empty foyer and onto the porch, pausing at the sound of footsteps on the stairs behind me. Her Dad nods toward my vehicle.

“Thought maybe you could use some help.”

Or a lecture. Or an argument. “Sure. Thanks.”

Pulling out the remote, I tap the key for the lift gate. While we wait, his lips curl and uncurl, as if preparing to speak the words running through his head. Probably been practicing his speech since he found out we were coming to visit. That’s fine. I’ll let him say his peace before I convince him of my sincerity.

“Molly says you’re engaged.”

Irritation tightens my muscles from his antagonizing tone. Not ‘says’. Are. I work very fucking hard to keep my voice level. “Yes.”

“How does that work exactly? Because at first she was your nanny and now all of a sudden you’re getting married? It seems to me like you’re moving awfully fast.”

Here we go. I roll the coins in my pocket between my fingers to keep them from balling into fists. "I love your daughter, Mr. Bennett. I don’t see any reason to wait to have the wedding, hopefully with your blessing of course."

His eyes narrow, not buying my concession to his place in her life. "Kind of too late now to be asking my permission, isn't it Mr. Ellison?"

Touché. Although I don’t give a damn if he gives his consent or not. She’s mine. "Please, call me Luc. I realize this is awkward. For both of us. But, Molly is a beautiful, compassionate, intelligent woman. I would expect you to support her in the decisions she makes for her life."

He nods, his focus glued to the boxes we’re sliding out of the back end. “It sounds like you know her well. How stubborn she can be?”

I can’t help but smile. My girl’s tough. “She never backs down from a challenge.”

“Then I guess she told you what she went through before with Hunter…”

The grin slides off my face in a heartbeat at the mention of that motherfucker’s name. This time I can’t control the fury spiking my tone. “Yeah, I know what that bastard did.”

“Then, you can see why I’m over-protective. I have three daughters, and when something like that happens to one of them, you…” His hands jerk, lining up the corners of the containers on the tail gate with unnecessary force, attempting to restrain his own anger. “Going to church every Sunday and praying for forgiveness for wanting to kill another man doesn’t ever get any easier or make me feel any better.”

“No, I wouldn’t think so.”

A deep sigh that I totally understand blows out of his mouth as he nods. Gaining back his composure. While I still rage over her attack. Not as good of a man as he is to let it go. He finally meets my gaze.

"I don't know if I like you or not, as I've just met you. Which is disappointing since my daughter says she loves you. But I do know if I fight her on this, it will only push her away. So I'm going to do as you ask and trust her judgment." He hoists the packages higher, ready to carry them inside. "Don't make me regret it, Luc."

Not overwhelming approval but at least he won’t make our relationship any more difficult for her. I have to respect him. A good person like Molly, I can tell he will keep his word. Just as I will mine. "I won’t. I will always take care of her and protect her. I’ll do everything I can to make sure she’s always happy.”

"That's all I can ask."

I let him make it inside before I pull out my phone. Confirming my men are discrete in their surveillance of us and her house. I’ve somehow been fucking lucky enough to make it past this hurdle with her family, and I can’t afford to create any more problems with questions about the need for security while we’re here. Or especially after I’m gone.

* * *

Molly waves to Eli, his smile brighter than the neon lights blinking above the miniature roller coaster he’s buckled into. Poor kid’s getting the hell beat out of him on the rickety ride, but he’s oblivious to the jostling, bravely holding one arm in the air while the other wraps around the safety bar for dear life.

She curls tighter against me, the flowery scent of her shampoo engulfing me as I breathe deeper. Luxuriating in her gentle touch that I’ve been able to enjoy all to myself for the last few minutes.

“I’m so glad he’s having fun.”

“Me too, angel.” I kiss the top of her head. “What about you? Are you having a good time?”

“Yes, it’s been perfect.”

I fucking love the wistfulness of her tone. More relaxed and carefree than I expected with her returning home and facing the demons from her past. But every old friend, or former in some bitchy cases, has been friendly. The passage of time, and Hunter’s subsequent crimes proving his guilt, seem to have lessened the turmoil generated by Molly’s accusations. “Good.”

Eli’s turn comes to an end, and he hops out of his cart, racing to us. His face as red as his shirt, remnants of his snow cone and cotton candy lingering on his olive skin. Kurt's going to fucking flip from his sticky ass soiling the backseat.

“Can I go again? Please? Please? Please?”

“I guess so, but first‒”

Already racing back to the line before I get the words out. “When the fuck did ‘I guess so’ turn into yes?”

Her sweet giggle ruffles my collar. I’m turning into such a soft ass neither one of them is afraid of me.

“Molly?”

My grip tightens around her waist from the male voice behind us, while my other hand instinctively reaches for my gun. I twist around, shoving her behind me but she bolts out, a giant smile lighting up her face.

“Sean!”

She races into his open arms, lifting off the ground from his bear hug. All the gratitude I had toward this guy for saving my girl evaporates with his face in her neck. Holding her too close. Squeezing her too tight.

After fucking forever, he releases her, giving me a better glimpse of his uniform. Not a rent-a-cop.

A fucking state trooper.

Of course he is. God damn son of a bitch.

“It’s so good to see you! I wasn’t sure if you’d be here or not.”

He brushes down the wrinkles marring his crisp shirt. “I’m officially on duty, but when I saw you I had to stop by to say hello.”

“I’m so glad you did.”

I’m fucking not. Like a fucking idiot Neanderthal, I grab her hand. Reminding her I’m there. And showing him who the fuck she belongs to. It ain’t you motherfucker. She flashes me her sweetest smile and tugs me closer.

"Sean, this is my fiance, Luciano Ellison."

Wariness as strong as mine crosses his face before he shuts down his suspicious demeanor. Morphing into a neutral expression as he pumps my hand. Instant and absolute hatred between us at the mutual realization we're both fucking crazy in love with her. “Nice to meet you, Sean.”

Lie.

“Same here.”

Now his turn to fucking lie.

Overwhelming and encompassing jealousy floods my body like poison. A feeling I’ve never experienced before. No need for possessiveness when I was just fucking a stranger for a few hours. Not giving a damn if she had a boyfriend or husband at home as long as I got her pussy and tits for the night. But now, with Molly, I could kill this fucker just for looking at her.

“What time do you get off work? Maybe we can all go to the beer garden together later?”

Fucking terrible idea. He pauses from his scan of crowd, and smiles down at her. Pleased from her request.

“Not until seven am. I’m on night shift this week for the festival.”

“That’s too bad.”

Nope, it’s great. Fucking perfect. Get the fuck out of here.

“I know. How long are you staying? Maybe I can stop by your parents’?”

“Luciano has to leave tomorrow for work, but I’m staying through Monday.”

I swear to fucking god a smirk crosses his lips to hear of my departure. That I will beat off of him if he fucking tries anything with her. See that ring on her finger, motherfucker? She’s mine.

My body must stiffen because she caresses my hand, clutching my forearm, and glances at me. Worry lining her forehead.

“Okay, I’ll come by, and we can catch up.” He fucks with the squawking radio pinned to his shoulder, responding to the request for assistance. Nodding to me, then her, he strides away a few steps, before being absorbed by the massive crowd.

“I’m so glad you got to meet each other.”

Eli’s race down the platform saves me from replying. Which is good because she does not want to hear my opinion about him. Or his so fucking obvious ploy to get her alone.

“I’ve got to go to the bathroom.”

He hops from one foot to the other. All of the bottled water he gulped down after jumping in the bounce houses ready to depart his system. I scoop him up so we can walk faster and let her lead us to the courthouse, where a line of women snakes down the steps and around the building. A knowing chuckle bubbles in her mouth.

“You’ll be done long before I will so wait for me over there.”

She points to an inflatable clown, white gloved hands holding up a Lost Parents Meeting Place placard. Hesitation drops my stomach. We shouldn’t separate. My ire over Sean fucks with my brain, making me even crazier than normal. As always, she reads my mind and offers me a reassuring smile with her nod.

“It’s right here. I’ll be fine.”

Eli grabs his crotch, flexing up and down on the concrete. “I’ve really got to go!”

Damn it. “Okay, we’ll hurry.”

We hustle inside, with him already fumbling with his zipper. I can’t help but laugh from the relieved smile filling his face as he goes. After what feels like five minutes he finally finishes and washes his hands. Molly would be proud he cleaned them without me even having to remind him. “All right little man, let’s find Molly and get some real food.”

Forced by the layout of the restroom setup, we exit the backside of the building. He points to one of the food stands as we weave through the crowd to our original location.

“Cookies?”

“No, cheeseburgers.”

He mulls that over, his face scrunching deep in thought. Probably trying to figure out how to convince me to give him both.

“Maybe we can‒”

My chuckle dies in my throat from catching sight of Boz flying in front of us from the right. I follow my bodyguard’s laser focus, and fury explodes in my chest. A shaking hand, circled by black and white diamonds, peeks out from behind a banner hanging across a small alcove.

Molly.

The fabric blows in the breeze again, revealing a man hulking over, his fist pounding above her head as he screams words I can’t make out. Motherfucker. He yelps with surprise before having his face bashed into the concrete from my guy tackling him from behind. I’ll fucking kill him later. Right now all I can see is her. Trembling with fear. Watery trails flowing down her pink cheeks.

“Molly!”

Eli cries out for her, but I’ve got to fucking protect him too. I roll his fingers around the landscape railing. “Stay right here. Do not move.”

He cringes from the gruff tone of the mean voice he hates but always obeys. I race to her, my body pulsing hotter than the black pavement, as the rest of the world fades away. Even disregarding Boz dragging the bastard away on the other side. I just have to get to her.

As gentle as I can, I cup her face, lifting up her gaze to meet mine. “Are you okay?”

“It’s Hunter. He’s here.”

Rage screams in my ears like a tornado. What the ever living fuck? Motherfucker’s supposed to be in jail. Somebody on my team fucked up and just sealed their death sentence for not letting me know he’s out of prison. And that he touched her.

She tucks her shivering body into my chest, weeping with fear. “Did he hurt you?”

Her head shaking scrapes across my polo. “No, he just scared me. I thought he was going to hit me.”

More than enough reason for him to die. I guide her back to the front, sitting her on the curb next to Eli. Who instantly cuddles against her. Their arms sliding around each other for comfort and reassurance.

With them soothing each other, I scan the circle that’s congregated. Boz gets in one more huge punch to the bastard’s gut before men start to intervene. Takes six fucking guys to pull the bodyguard off of the son of a bitch before he stumbles a few steps and then races off like the pussy he is.

That’s fine motherfucker. You run now while you can. I will fucking make you pay very soon. The anticipation of exacting sweet revenge on him fuels the monster within, already straining to be let loose after being silenced for so long. I dial down my fury, and squat down in front of them. Swiping the tears from her warm skin while she gives me a broken smile for Eli’s sake. “Let’s take her home, okay buddy?”

His tiny shoulders square, his own little storm of outrage from someone scaring the woman he loves like a mother. “Yeah, I’m going to take care of her.”

“I know you will.” Waiting for her to kiss his head, I take her other hand and help her up. “We both will.”