Page 15

AUDREY

“ I ’ve got her, and we’re on our way home.”

I can’t stop replaying his words in my mind over and over on a loop.

When he asked me to let him take care of things for me, I nearly turned him down.

Told him no, I’d handle it myself, as I’ve always done in life.

Yes, I was one of those sweet, quiet women who married an older man who was well off.

My family made sure of it, I was in those same circles after all, since my parents have always had money filling their pockets.

No one ever thought I’d use my resources and create my own wealth. No one expected me to be good at my job. Or to become wealthier than all of them put together.

Of course not… I’m a woman, after all, and it seems as if we’re always underestimated.

I haven’t let another undervalue me since.

Unfortunately, John couldn’t handle it, and my success sent our marriage spiraling after years of trying to appease him however I could.

Thank God I was smart enough and fought back when it came to my companies.

I can’t imagine where I’d be right now if I hadn’t found my backbone and finally started standing up for myself and for what I want to be able to give my children in the future.

I’ve been skeptical since Gavin left. It was foolish, since he’s upheld his word to me in every instance since first meeting him, but still.

I’m a bit jaded when it comes to the opposite sex.

This man, however, seems determined to show me I can depend on him when I need to, and it has me all in my feelings.

I’m not sure how to react to him or the newly admitted emotions bubbling up inside me.

It’s been too long since I allowed myself to feel vulnerable in this type of way.

Now here I am, grappling with the idea of falling for a man who has entered my life like a whirlwind, yet at the same time has been here in the background, steady, all along.

I can’t shake the worry that has constantly been eating at me about Hazel.

When will I see her again? How is she coping with all of this?

I know Gavin will take care of her to the best of his ability, but my instincts still rage within, as I want to hold her close and assure her that everything will be alright.

“I’m headed to the airstrip to pick up Prez,” Brass interrupts sometime later while I’m busy being lost in my head.

I’m sitting by the pool, soaking in the hot day, feeling as if the overly cloudy sky fits my overall mood.

The kids are nowhere to be seen. The guys have kept them busy, and unaware of the turmoil I’ve been sick over.

I don’t think Gavin asked them to help; they just stepped in and automatically offered when I needed them, without having the courage to realize I ever needed it in the first place.

“Oh, thank God,” my fists finally unclench, seemingly for the first time today, from all the stress.

A sigh of relief leaves me, and I ask, “Can I come with you? He has Hazel.” Normally, I wouldn’t be asking anyone anything.

I’d demand whatever I want, but they’ve all shown me unmeasured respect, and I need to remember to do the same.

This is not my world down here; it’s theirs, and I’m fortunate they’ve included my family in it.

“Of course, Miss Audrey. You won’t catch me telling you no about shit unless it comes directly from Prez.

” He offers a compassionate smile, and I reach out, squeezing his shoulder in affection as I run past him to put on my shoes from inside the house.

I wanted to hug him, but with the line of business they’re in, I’m sure they don’t enjoy being touched in their off time.

Not that I can blame them, I know I wouldn’t want it either.

By keeping my hands to myself, I show him a little more of that respect I’ve been going for.

He assures me the kids are safe and well looked after, that he’ll give the ‘brothers’ a heads up we’re picking up Prez.

His words, not mine, so I follow him, hopping up into a lifted olive colored Ford Platinum Super Duty they have parked next to the huge barn full of motorcycles.

Pretty smart as parking in the Texas sunshine would probably burn their butts off if they tried to ride right away.

I’ve been to the airstrip several times, having flown in for my sessions, but as the truck eats up the pavement, I swear every mile seems to take forever.

There’s a country tune playing lowly on the radio, background music as my leg bounces, the energy and impatience in me radiating through the rest of my body.

Words spill from my lips as a million things run through my mind, making me frazzled, “H-have you heard anything bad? They didn’t run into any trouble, I hope?

He’d never tell me, and normally I’d never ask, but with Hazel involved…

I hope you all know I will use whatever means at my disposal to help.

If there’s an issue, well, people can be bought, and it’s one thing I have to offer. ”

Brass smirks, but it’s not unkind. The man practically has the patience of a Saint dealing with me while Gavin’s been indisposed.

He tips his Stetson at a guy driving a truck as we fly past, his hands steady as they take us around the next curve in the road; the sides are heavily lined with trees.

In normal circumstances, I’d find the drive peaceful, even a little beautiful, but there’s nothing normal about what’s happening.

“My brother isn’t going to let you tarnish your name, even if something were to come up.

However, just the fact you offer shows what kind of lady you are. ”

“A terrible mother?” I whisper, my heart ready to shatter when I hear the truth from another person, other than myself and John.

“A damn good woman, and one helluva momma to those kids. Stop worrying your pretty head, Miss Audrey, Prez is damn proud of you and them.”

My lip wobbles, a tear sliding over my cheek. It’s the side toward the darkly tinted window so Brass doesn’t see what his words do to me. The fissure in my heart begins to fuse, filling with the warmth and deep affection I have for Gavin.

“Thank God,” I sigh as the airstrip comes into view.

It’s empty, but just as we’re slowing for the turn off, the whine from the private plane’s engine roars overhead of us as they land.

Brass makes the turn, then we’re driving beside the strip on the small concrete path as the plane comes to a stop beside us.

The plane’s door opens, and the stairs extend as my regular attendant steps out.

She offers a comforting smile and wave in my direction.

I’m out of the truck as soon as it’s in park and running toward the stairs.

Death is the first to descend, followed by a woman in scrubs holding Hazel, and lastly, Gavin.

I’m a shaking mess when I hold my hands out to take Hazel and then wrap my arms tightly around her.

It’s so hard to hold myself back from sobbing with relief and just squeezing her, but I can’t.

If she sees me that shaken and emotional, it will only scare her, and it’s the last thing I want.

I’m sure she was already a bit weary being around everyone since it’s been months since she last saw Gavin and Death.

I’m sure being on the plane in the familiar setting helped, at least I hope it did.

It killed me to stay behind, but Gavin made me promise.

“I missed you so much, sweetheart. Are you happy to see Mommy? I love you, Hazel.”

“Love you, Mommy!” she says, beaming her tiny but radiating smile at me, and I swear I can breathe fully again. Finally.

The woman standing next to Gavin and Death offers me a kind smile, and it hits me who she is. “Nurse Sher?” I ask, she’s the nurse I’ve seen for the breeding appointments in the past.

“Hey, she’s all good. I did a wellness check with her father present, and we chatted on the flight. You have nothing to be worried about, she’s a healthy three-year-old.”

“Thank you,” I turn my confused stare to Gavin, and he steps to my side.

He leans in, explaining, “Thought it’d be a good idea to have Sher meet us at the plane. I wasn’t sure how things would go at the house, and I wanted her on call in case Hazel needed anything.”

“Gavin,” I whisper with a hitch in my breath. Tears swim in my eyes as I take in the man before me. I hadn’t even thought of having someone on standby for medical, and I’m her mother.

He’s a good father, and he doesn’t even know it.

“It’s nothing, Darlin’, I’d do the same for all of our kids, I swear it.”

“I don’t doubt it for a minute. Thank you.

” I respond, past any pretense of not having deeper feelings for him, I step into his space, my free arm against his chest as I hold our daughter with my other and lean in.

My breath whispers over his lips as he comes close enough that our noses nearly touch.

“You’re a good man, Gavin, and an even better father.

I don’t like asking for help, but thank you for letting me depend on you.

I can never repay that, but all you ever have to do is ask. ”

“Knowing she’s safe and you’re happy, it’s all I need. I will always have your back, Audrey. Always .”

Tears stream over my cheeks again as I release a shaky breath and press my mouth to his. Our lips fuse, and the warmth in my chest I already had for him only expands, growing into true, unconditional love.

I’ve never felt this way about a man before.

I thought I knew love before, but I was wrong.

I’m hopelessly in love with my children’s father, and I’m willing to give up anything and everything for not only them, but him too.

The best part? I know he’d never ask me to, because that’s the kind of man Gavin is.

A little mad in the head when it comes to protecting those he cares about. A bit caveman-ish when it comes to his manly ways. And everything I’ve been missing from my life.