“Don’t ever call her that. She was never a mom. The woman didn’t know the first thing about being a mother. She was me and Mila’s way into this world and nothing more.”
Again, the three men exchange a glance. “Okay, then. We’ll just clean up and go,” Cub concedes.
I wave my hand in the air. “I’ve got it. Just go.”
They stand and make their way to the door, but before they get to it, I stop them. “I’m … I’m sorry. I just …”
Cub walks back and crouches down beside me. “Don’t worry about it, brother. It’s been a long couple of days. You just remember you’re not that little kid who was all alone with that bitch. You’ve got a club. You got me.” He pounds his fist over his chest.
“I know.”
He stands, pats me on the back one last time, and then the three of them leave.
I sit in silence, staring at my plate, until I hear the soft click of a door opening.
A few seconds later, Serenity peeks around the corner. “Is everything okay?” she asks, glancing behind her like she’s looking for something.
“Yeah, sorry if we woke you. The guys just left.”
Her eyes go to the front door before returning to me. “You didn’t wake me. Is Mila here?”
I nod slowly, watching her every move. The way she scratches her nose. The nervous way her hand roams over her slender neck.
“She’s sleeping.” I offer her a little more information to ease her worries.
Her shoulders immediately fall, and the lines on her forehead smooth. “Oh, that’s good.”
However, the relief on her face is short-lived.
“I guess I should be going then,” she says, hugging herself.
My dog sits by her feet, looking at me like he might take a bite out of my ass if I let that happen.
I stand and begin warming up a steak and potato for her. “Cole said you haven’t eaten. Sit.”
Peanut stands and pushes his nose right into her ass. She squeaks, jumping away from him, and I can’t help the laugh that escapes me.
She huffs and sits down in the chair farthest from the one I just vacated. “You and your dog are awfully bossy.”
I set the plate in front of her before going back to my chair. “That’s not what I’d call it.”
“No?” she says, digging right in. “I don’t know what else you’d call it.”
I’m glad to see she’s eating. “I call it being persuasive,” I inform her.
“Ordering me to sit is not that.”
I shrug. “Fine. We’re bossy.”
My good boy finally comes over to greet me. I rub him all over roughly just like he likes it. He falls to the ground with a thud, rolling over so I can get to his belly.
“He missed you,” she says, keeping her eyes on her plate.
“Did you?” I ask.
“Why would I miss you?” she snips, finally gracing me with those green eyes that had me in a chokehold the first time I saw them.
“Because you secretly like it when I boss you around.”