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“Ty, look out!”

TheJeepswerves, squealing across the bridge toward the metal railing.

Chapter18

“Carrion”

–Parkway Drive

Theheavy woodendoor accidentally slams shut behind me.Iwince.

Tiny, heavy breaths rush around the corner. “Mama?Mama?”Andreaturns the corner and nearly runs into me. “Abby!”

“Hey, slow down there,”Isay, patting her shoulder as she hugs onto my leg.Hercrown pokes me something fierce. “Whyaren’t you getting ready for bed, little missy?”

Shannonappears behind her, sporting a matching sparkling crown and pink tutu that almost hides the bruises under his eyes.

Almost.

“Sherefuses to go to bed untilAbby’shome,” he says in defeat.

“I’llretire you for the evening,Dad.Hand‘em over.”

Heimmediately takes off the crown to place upon my head and peels off the tutu. “Good, ’causeDaddycould use a nap.”

Aftergetting her dressed in her jammies,IstrokeDrea’slong hair down her back on the couch and she breathes heavily in my ear.Abbymight have the magic touch that puts little princesses to sleep within twenty minutes, butShannonmust’ve worn her out extra today since she was out in ten.

Heemerges from the shadows, freshly showered with damp and messy dirty blond hair.Thetiny black footprints positioned in the shape of a heart withDrea’sname and birth date over his left pec makes me smile.

“Thatwas quick,” he comments softly as he lies on the couch with his head in my lap. “Mightbe a new record.”

Myfingers move from fidgeting with the hem of her pink pajamas to running throughShannon’sdamp locks.

Noteven two minutes later, he’s knocked out cold, too, chest rising and falling with deep, sleepy breaths.Ipull the blanket from the back of the couch to throw over him.

TheTVflickers, casting eerie shadows all throughout the room.Coyotesyip and yammer nearby, like they’re right behind the pool out back.

Theperfect new husband run ragged and the precious two-year-old daughter desperate to see her mommy again—what should be heaven is a beautiful, heart-wrenching hell.

IhugDreaa little tighter, kissing her head.Maybeher real mama isn’t here, butIam.I’llbe here for her and her daddy, always.I’lllove them whenKriscan’t.

Thefront door swings open.Twoshadowy figures step inside, one with hair hanging just past his shoulders and the other with short hair.Theypause at the edge of the great room. “Youlook good with a kid on you, babe.”

“Shh,”IhushZakas he andAdrianmove into the blue glow of theTV.Heapproaches, kissingDrea’shead before kissing me.

Adriangently scoops her up into his arms, disappearing in the direction of her bedroom.

Aflower appears in front of me—a single sunflower held by tattooed fingers.

Smiling,Ipluck it from them. “Forme?”

“Forthe woman keeping us all sane,” he says quietly.

Ikiss him again.Zakis careful as he settles in on the couch on the opposite side.Hethrows an arm over my shoulder and takes my chin, leading me to kiss him again.Oncehe’s had his fill, he sighs heavily.

“How’deverything go?”Iask quietly, massagingShannon’shead to keep him asleep.

“Didn’trealize how many dedicated clientsKrishas weekly.Noneof ‘em are happy.”