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“I wondered why he didn’t tell you about his wife and kids.” Her face goes completely white and her phone falls from her fingers. “I figured no one wants to admit to a bad porn kink, but at the very least he should have told you about the kids.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

I shake my head, and she stomps around the living room.

“What a piece of shit. He’s been asking me out for months.”

I narrow my eyes. He might end up dead yet.

“Acts all chivalrous and good. What a jerk. How do none of us at work know this about him?”

“Sorry if your feelings are hurt.”

I’m not really sorry.

“I went on one date with him. I don’t give a shit about that guy. And I just want to say here and now that that’s the only date I’ve been on since you.” She loses her steam, and she turns to look at me, her face full of so much anguish that it makes the dead organ in my chest beat just a little harder. “Oh my God, you’re here.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I promise. I’m also bringing some of my men here because you and Charlie won’t leave the house without guards.”

“Uh, no.”

“Nonnegotiable. I didn’t protect you well enough once before, and I fucking paid for it for seven long years. It won’t happen again.”

“I can’t send Charlie to school with bodyguards.”

“Fine.”

She lifts her chin.

“I’ll go with him myself, then.”

She shakes her head and picks up her phone. “You’re being ridiculous. I have to go to bed. I have work tomorrow.”

“That’s not true. Tomorrow’s Saturday.”

“Oh.” She frowns. “Right. I forgot.”

“You could quit. You don’t need the money.”

“I love my job. You know that.”

“Yeah, but now you know you’re working for a cheating porn lover. But, to each their own. I will say this: If that motherfucker even breathes in your direction, I will tear his lungs out through his mouth.”

“Carson.” She sighs and then hugs me again, and I cling to her like I never want her out of my sight again.

Because I don’t.

“I’ll see how it goes at work. And I’ll decide when the best time is to introduce you to Charlie.”

“I want it to be soon.”

She brushes her nose against my chest. “I do too. I just have to think about what to say, but it’ll be very soon. I have no intention of keeping you two apart.”

“Good.”

Finally, she backs away and stares up at me. “Will you still be here tomorrow? I’m afraid you’re going to disappear on me.”

“I’ll be wherever you are for a very long time. When you’re ready, we’ll be a family. But we can work up to that.”