“Listen. I want a house full of babies and only with you. Fuck, I was deep inside of you this morning when I should have been sleeping because I can’t get enough of my wife. I’m not my father.” He cupped her face that was cracking his heart. “I married you because you’re the one for me. Face it. We’re in this together. I’m not letting you go no matter what. The day they put me in the ground is the day you’ll be free of me.”
“I never want to lose you. I just freaked out. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to accuse you of being your father.”
She was about to start rambling on when he put his finger on her lips to stop her. Clearly he wanted to say something, but Hope was too emotional to let him. “I know. I know, but speaking of fathers…”
“Oh, no. Please tell me they didn’t drop the charges.”
“Calm your ‘jump to conclusions’ ass down. He’s going to be tried in five months as scheduled, but Alex called and told me that they approved bail for him. He will be released first thing in the morning.”
She stepped out of his grasp and spun around, putting her own hands to her lips. She faced him again with wide, frightened eyes and said, “Oh, no. Do you think he’s going to come after me? Ethan?”
He dragged her back into his arms. “He’d be the stupidest motherfucker in the world to try it.” The fiery look of rage spread across Gage’s face. Tipping her chin, he promised, “I’ll kill that son of a bitch if he comes near you.”
“I know. It’s probably the only reason I’m not freaking out like crazy.” She rolled her eyes, attempting to make light of it, but Gage knew better. Counseling was in order for her once Cummings was dead or in prison. He would make sure she got the help she needed to overcome the trauma that bastard put her through all those years.
“Good. Let’s just relax for the night. I’ve already secured the house like a fortress over the past year, but I’ll hire more security to keep tabs on Cummings and to protect you.”
“Thank you. I love you.” The silent acceptance of the extra security told him more than words could say. She was more terrified of her father than she was admitting. Her fears weren’t just about Gage rejecting her; she was afraid Cummings would get to her and finish what he started.
“I love you more. I want you to know I’d do anything for you. I’d lay down my life for you. Come on now. No more heavy talk tonight. Let’s go give Ethan a bath and then watch a movie.”
“Sounds wonderful.”
“Hey, my little cowboy. You ready for your bath?”
He cooed and clapped his hands, so Gage scooped him up as Hope started the bath. He took it in their large tub with a small tub inside for him, although soon they’d have to work on trapping him in because he was getting too big.
For the next twenty minutes, they played and scrubbed their little boy. Laughing and splashing water around with his chubby hands, Ethan took away the stress of their conversation, if even for just a small moment. Once washed and dried, theydressed their little man before feeding and burping him. They lay down their sweet sleeping boy, turned off the light, and turned on their monitor for his room before walking out.
Settling down in their living room, they clicked on the television to see an episode ofCake Warsjust starting. “Ooh, I want to watch this.”
“If that’s what you want. I could always go for some cake.” Gage rubbed his rock-hard stomach before kicking his feet up onto the coffee table. Hope nestled her head on his chest and her feet under her bottom. Twenty minutes later, Hope looked up to find her husband sleeping.
She sat up straight, unhooking herself from his grasp. “Come on, big guy.” She nudged his shoulder. “It’s time for bed.”
“Ah, man, who won?”
“No one. It’s only the first round of eliminations. You fell asleep.” He stood and walked to the door to check the locks one more time.
“Satisfied?”
“Yes.” They slipped quietly inside their bedroom and went to bed, hoping that little Ethan would stay asleep at least until Gage had to wake up at four.
The moment he woke up Gage looked into a security firm out of Austin. In three hours he had two retired cops who operated as security and private investigators willing to do the job. They came highly recommended, so after meeting with them he hired David Grieg and Ian Moran.
“You have a nice family, and we understand the need to protect it, but your surveillance is top notch. I can’t imagine needing anything else.” Gage explained Baxter Cummings and the relationship to Hope. Their faces twisted in disgust really quickly as they were mortified by the revelation.
“Now it’s understandable why you are a little bit more protective,” Moran said as Hope stepped out on the porch.
“Would you fellas care for some lemonade?” They were to protect Hope and Ethan when Gage wasn’t on the property, but for the most part their job was to keep an eye on Cummings and make sure he wasn’t making a move on their family.
“That would be great, ma’am,” Grieg said.
“It’s pretty hot out here.”
“Also there is no touching my wife unless her life depends on it. Understood?”
“Yes.” They nodded as they answered.