Page 107 of One Little Kiss

“Sorry,” I mutter under my breath and keep walking right past Darling. His time doesn’t start for fifteen minutes, and I will get Wes settled first.

“Hey,” he yells, causing Wes to cover his ears.

I mistakenly thought the library would be quiet enough for him not to need his headphones, but I can see asshat won’t let that happen.

With quick strides, I go toe to toe with Darling. “Your time doesn’t start for fifteen minutes. He needs time to acclimate, and you will not raise your voice like that again or we’re out of here.” Although I want to tear into this guy, I’ll never do that in front of Wes.

He sneers at me, then Wes. “You do, and my attorney will make sure you’re held in contempt.”

“Do you even know what that means?” I snarl. “Never mind. I obviously have my answer. Fifteen minutes. Not a second sooner.”

I storm off toward the children’s section, and as soon as we sit on the floor, I pull his headphones out of the bag housing all his supplies. Kids sure need a lot of shit for a two-hour outing.

I put them on Weston’s head, and he places an open-mouthed kiss on my nose. “Thanks, little man. Love you.”

“Lub Coto. Lub Cot—” He breaks off when he sees the train table. I know Winnie brings him here a lot, but the train table is a new addition, thanks to East. By the time asshat strides into the section, Wes is fully immersed in his trains.

“What the fuck is wrong with him?” Darling spits.

I’m on my feet before he finishes. “What. Did. I. Tell. You?”

“Whatever. Answer the question. Are you turning him into a sissy fuck? Jesus Christ, you are.”

“Curse one more time and we’re leaving. That’s not how you speak in front of a child.”

“I’ll speak, however the fuck I want tomyson.”

“The son you’ve never paid attention to before now? The son you’ve never paid a cent in child support for? That son?”

He pushes past me and grabs Weston’s headphones, ripping them off his head so roughly the little boy’s neck snaps back.

“Did you get that?” I hiss to Ash.

“Got it. Don’t do anything stupid to fuck this up.” But I’m already in front of Darling.

Wrenching the headphones free from his grasp, I gently place them back on Weston’s head, then lift the crying little boy into my arms, where he promptly buries his face into my chest. I gently stroke his back while glaring at Darling.

“Nothing is wrong with him. He’s perfect just the way he is.”

“He’s some kind of ret—”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence.” My jaw tightens and I hear my molars grinding.

“Jesus, Colt. Keep him talking. Don’t lose your shit,” Ashton commands.

“Watch your ignorant mouth,” I growl through clenched teeth. “I’ll repeat. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Weston. If you use a derogatory word with him in the same room again, it’ll be the last thing you do.”

“Mayday. Mayday. Don’t threaten him, Colt. Back it the fuck up.” Ashton’s panic comes through loud and clear, snapping me from my haze of hate for the man before me.

“Are you threatening me, boy?” When Darling gets into my face, I can smell the cheap liquor on his breath.

“Have you been drinking?” My rage is at an all-time high. “You’re drunk. It’s ten in the morning, and he’s drunk,” I bite out.

“Keep him there. I’m calling the sheriff for a breathalyzer now.” Ashton works faster than I can think.

“Don’t matter what I’m doin’. Once I get that little fucker, I’ll have all the money I need and nannies to watch the little shit.”

“What do you mean, you’ll have all the money? From whom? Who exactly is paying for your lawyer, Darling?”