Page 23 of Lock

“Being a mom is all I’ve ever wanted.” She shrugs, as if to make her words seem less than they are. “It’s something Lulu and I had in common,” she confesses, referring to her childhood friend who moved away last year. “I guess it’s why I never went off to college. My dad had a bit to do with that. After he got ill, I didn’t even think of leaving. But I never made plans after graduation because all I wanted to do was get married and have babies.”

“You never found the right guy?” I whisper, the words choking me. The thought of her wanting those things with another man kills me, and the idea of her doing it . . . over my dead body, or better yet, over his.

Unaware of my sudden need to murder an imaginary man, Shelby shrugs. “Thought I did. But I guess he had other plans.”

Good. My heart starts again at the knowledge that no one is vying for her attention.

“Your mystery man.” I nod.

My grin gets wider when she reaches up and fiddles with the necklace under her shirt.

My mother’s necklace, the one I took off my first wife’s body. She didn’t deserve it. Ashley lost the right to wear it the minute she betrayed our wedding vows.

“I’m sure the right man knows exactly where to find you.”

“Well, he’d better hurry up, because if I spend any more time with Riley, I’m going to get baby fever.” She laughs lightly.

“That might be remedied if you both continue not using protection,” I warn.

Her cheeks heat. “I told you . . .”

“It’s complicated,” I finish for her. “It will be when you get pregnant.”

And that’s exactly what she’s going to be. Regret fills me for all the times I wrote her a prescription for Plan B. But she wasn’t ready then. And neither was I.

I’m lucky we live in Cromwell. It’s a small town. The pharmacy attached to my clinic is the only place to get meds, including some over-the-counter items, unless you’re willing to travel. The only way anyone is getting that shit is through me.

My pharmacy, my rules.

One I implemented the day after I took Shelby’s virginity.

“Well, look who found himself another victim,” a male voice sneers.

And just like that, my good mood is gone.

“Take Riley and get in the car,” I order, handing the keys to Shelby. I don’t take my eyes off the man approaching.

Kyle Cooper.

“Officer Cooper. I apologize, you lost that job a few years ago. I keep forgetting. Mr. Cooper, is there a reason you’re bothering me and my family?”

“Family?” He snorts. “Do you know what kind of man you’re fucking?” he shouts, his words aimed at the quickly retreating back of Shelby.

“Lower your fucking voice,” I growl.

“What? You don’t want the new piece of ass to know about the old one? Or do you just not want her to know what you did?”

My blood heats, racing through my veins with pure hatred. Clearly, losing his job four years ago hadn’t been enough. I’d hoped that those Cromwell brothers would have taken care of Cooper by now. If it wasn’t so inconvenient, I’d do it myself.

There’s still time.

“First of all, I have never had a piece of ass. I had a wife who ran off with her lover, which resulted in my divorcing her. The fact no one can find her is no longer my problem. And second, you ever say anything so vulgar in front of my daughter again, I’ll show you exactly the kind of man I am.”

My lip curls. He disgusts me.

Picking a fight with me is one thing. After all, the man is right. I did kill her. However, trying to upset Shelby and Riley is another matter.

“You don’t scare me.” Cooper huffs.