Walking into hospital—Jenna on my arm, my come deep inside of her—it’s perfect. All eyes in the hallway turn to us as we approach. There isn’t time for introductions as Brodie brings his kid out and hands him over to Weston. Maxwell gives us an odd look, but I brush it off. I don’t need him giving me shit. Not today.

I only plan to stay for a few minutes to avoid any awkward conversations. I know Weston has mixed feelings about the situation, but I’m seeing this through. I’m never letting Jenna get away again.

She is it for me.

We all make our rounds doting over the new baby. His face is red and his head is surprisingly round for a new baby, but he’s perfect.

I glance over to Maxwell. “Claire get you her resume?”

“Yeah, not that I needed it. She’s hired.”

“As an employee. That’s it.” I raise an eyebrow.

He holds up his hands but grins at the same time. “I know.”

“I’m not joking, bitch.”

Brooke shoots me a glare as if to say, language, bitch.

I hold up two hands at her. “Sorry.” I pat little Charlie on the head softly. “Sorry, little buddy.”

Maxwell flips me the bird when nobody is looking.

I say my goodbyes after a brief introduction of Jenna to everyone.

Weston approaches us as we make our exit. Shit. I don’t want to hear one of his lectures right now, especially in front of Jenna, and he’s notoriously blunt.

“Gonna grab dinner. Join us?” Judging by his expression and his cold tone he isn’t really asking.

I give Jenna a quick glance. “Hungry?”

“Whatever you want to do, but I am pretty hungry. We didn’t have lunch.”

I turn to Weston. “Where?”

I don’t want to go. I want to take Jenna home, but she’s hungry and I don’t need Weston giving me a bunch of shit. It’ll be easier to just do this and be done with it.

“Milago’s?”

“Pizza?”

“Brooke’s been craving one of their deep dishes.”

I don’t miss the look Brooke gives him and I have to wonder if there’s something they aren’t saying.

“Sounds good.”

“We’ll meet you there.” He looks at Jenna. “Nice meeting you. See you soon.”

“Nice to meet you both.”

* * *

Brooke and Weston beat us to the restaurant and already have a table. Weston already ordered me a beer and a water for Jenna.

“We weren’t properly introduced back there. I’m Weston and this is my wife, Brooke.”

“Jenna.” She accepts his offered hand.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet the woman who crushed this guy.”

“Hey.” I give him a stern look.

“Take it easy.” He takes a sip of his beer, grinning the whole time.

“Are you guys a thing?” Brooke turns to Weston. “I thought you said she was a client?”

“It’s complicated.” I need to change the subject. “You guys order yet?”

Jenna squeezes my hand under the table. Her fingers spider-walk toward my cock and I let out a cough when she then squeezes.

“Waiting for you guys. So, Jenna, what do you do?” Brooke looks like she’s happy I finally have a woman she gets to talk to.

“Unemployed at the moment. It’s complicated.”

Weston raises an eyebrow at me when he hears ‘complicated’ and I flash him a stare that says don’t.

Jenna continues stroking my cock and doesn’t miss a beat on the conversation. “I’m hoping to revive a charity my mom ran. It was called Walker’s Hope. It focused on abused horses.”

“The ranch would be a perfect location for that.” My words come out funny, probably because I’m getting a fucking handy under the table.

It’s amazing and at the same time surprising. Jenna was always more of a good girl when we were younger. It’s nice knowing she wants me so bad she can’t wait until we get home.

“I have to deal with, umm, insurance and all that stuff first.”

Brooke is shaking like she can’t wait to get a word in. “I have an amazing idea. I work for a nonprofit too. I handle legal cases for abused women. Anyway, if you started the foundation again, maybe we could work together with some of the women looking to get back on their feet.”

And just like that the two of them are off in their own conversation. Jenna’s hand leaves my cock and I glare at Brooke, even though she has no idea what she’s done. I turn to Weston. Great. No handjob and I get to talk to his ass.

Weston loosens up once the food comes, and I can see that Jenna is growing on him. I knew she would. Jenna is amazing. The more her and Brooke talk animatedly about their big plans to get her foundation running again the more Weston begins to smile.

They eventually go off to the bathroom together like women do. I don’t know what it is about them traveling in packs, but it never fails.

Weston immediately stares at me when they’re out of sight. “Okay, I like her. She’s nice and ambitious and my wife loves her. I can tell you two are still insane about each other. It’s a little disgusting.” He grins. “I just don’t want to see you get fucked in all of this.”

“I love her, man. I know it may sound crazy because she only came back into my life a few days ago but she’s always been the one.”

He shakes his head, grinning his ass off. “Kryptonite pussy.”

“Exactly.” I hold up my beer and we clink the glasses together. I grin, and my mind immediately goes back to thinking about fucking her. I’ll have to get her home soon before my cock explodes from her stroking me under the table.

We part ways after Brooke devours a piece of chocolate cake. I’m almost certain she’s pregnant but I don’t press the matter. They’ll announce it when they’re ready. Maybe they don’t want to steal Brodie’s spotlight with the birth of his son.

When we get back to my place Jenna’s cell phone keeps vibrating on the countertop in the kitchen.

She picks it up and her face turns pale as a ghost.

My hands ball into fists at my sides. I’m pretty sure it’s him.

“Leonard?”

She nods. “Voicemails.”

I hold my hand out. “Give me the phone.”

She shakes her head. “I need to handle this.”

“I’m your attorney. It’s my job to handle it. You’re not speaking to him.” The thought of her calling him has rage coursing through my blood. I’ll rip that motherfucker’s balls off and shove them down his goddamn throat.

I hold out my hand. “I want to hear the messages. We need to record them for evidence.”

The voicemails start to play.

“My account is empty I need you to wire more money.”

“Where the fuck are you? I have been calling all morning. Pick up the phone.”

“Goddamn it! You better have some fucking money waiting when I get back to Texas.”

“You better pray you’re dead from that fire. Tony just called.”

“I just got in town. Pick me up at the airport.”

“The hospital says you were released. You fucking cunt. Wait until I find you.”

My fingers grip the phone tighter with each message, and my jaw clenches so hard I think my teeth might shatter. I set the phone down and try to push the rage deep down, but I can’t.

I punch the fucking wall so hard it puts a hole in the drywall.

Jenna jumps back and covers her mouth.

Fuck, I shouldn’t have done that in front of her. But she’s not going anywhere near that guy.

I turn to her slowly and my face has to be blood-red. “Sorry you had to see that.”

“I’m just, umm, afraid to ask what he said.”

“I’m sure you have a pretty good idea.”

She turns and looks out the window, almost like she’s terrified to go outside again. I can’t believe she’s had to live like this for so long. For a fucking decade. What makes some men think it’s okay to beat and terrorize their spouse? Prison is too good for this motherfucker.

I’m going to bury him.

Jenna’s arms start to tremble. I walk over and do my best to console her.

“These messages will work in our favor. It’s terroristic threatening. When I file the petition for divorce I’m filing a restraining order.”

Her eyes wander up to mine and practically say, like that will stop him. She looks away again and shakes her head.

I cup one of her cheeks in my palm and turn her to face me. “He will never hurt you again.” I pull her in close to my chest and never want to let go of her. I know she feels safe, the way she should feel with a husband.

The tears start to flow from her eyes and she buries her face in my shirt. “O-okay.”

Looking down at her, it just makes me hurt. Jenna is fucking tough. She’s one of the strongest women I know on this earth, and this son of a bitch has turned her into this.

Not on my fucking watch. If I have to kill this bastard and go to prison so that Jenna can live her life without worrying about him, I will. It’s not preferable, but I don’t care. I’ll do anything for her to be safe. Anything to protect her.

Jenna finally walks to the freezer and tries to ice my fist when she comes back, but I refuse. I’m fine. I only wish the wall had been Leonard’s fucking face. “Don’t even think of calling him back.”

Jenna stays quiet, and I wish I knew what she was thinking.

She nods.

I don’t know if I believe her. She’s independent. She’s not good at having someone take care of her.

She needs to get over that for now. She can have whatever she wants when this ordeal is through. But I have to make her listen to me on this.

I force a smile on my face to try to lighten the mood. Anything that might make her happy. “Let’s forget about him for now and go to bed.”

“Okay.”