And, since I can’t seem to stay in control of my fiery impulses around her, it’s best to put the necessary distance between us.
But that fucking sucks.
She’s so sad. Because of me.
I don’t know what to do.
Forcing away thoughts of Mei, I climb out of my car at the house my GPS took me to. It’s a cute, older home in a cookie-cutter neighborhood. Though I’ve never seen it before, this property will technically be mine in a few weeks. It’s strange to think it’s the reason for the whole fake marriage with Jin.
Why was she so obsessed with the old woman who lives here that she’d approach one of her own patients with such a proposal?
I suppose these are questions I should have asked myself weeks ago, but I was in a bad mental place because of Leah, and desperate for my own solutions. Having Jin as my wife has seemingly kept Leah at bay. For now.
A police cruiser pulls up along the curb in front of the house and my stomach tightens. I wouldn’t put it past Leah to try and have me arrested for something stupid.
Like nearly fucking your stepdaughter?
There’s no way she would know about that, plus, Mei is eighteen. That’s just paranoia creeping in. I toss a wave over my shoulder and stride toward the house. I hear the cruiser car door open and close as I knock on the front door. An elderly woman tells me to come inside, so I do, eager to get away from the cop. As I walk into the living room, I’m hit with a sweet cinnamon scent that makes my stomach grumble.
“Is it Mommy or Daddy?” the elderly woman asks.
Penny toddles into the living room and shrieks with happiness when she sees me. I grin and scoop her up, kissing her on the side of the head. “Hey, squirt.”
“Must be Daddy.” The woman shuffles around the corner just as the door opens behind me. “Oh…my.”
“Who the hell are you?” a deep voice growls.
I whirl around, with Penny tight in my grip, and face off with the person. The cop. Why did he follow me into this house?
“I’m here to pick up my stepdaughter,” I say to the officer and then nod to the older woman. “Ma’am. I’m Owen Monahan. Jin’s husband. You must be Carol.”
“I am,” she says. “Lovely to meet you.”
Penny whines and reaches for the cop. He approaches as if he’s done this a hundred times before, holding out his hands.
“I’m sorry, but who are you?” I clip out, refusing to hand over the little girl I was asked to come pick up.
The cop narrows his eyes at me and his jaw muscle ticks. A flash of anger flickers in his eyes which only makes me distrust him more.
“Owen,” Carol says gently, “this is my son, Christopher. He lives here with me.”
I relax and pass Penny to him. Christopher melts a bit as Penny cackles and blabs on about a cookie. He grins at her and nods, clearly smitten with her. It’s kind of hard not to be.
“Where’s Jin?” Christopher asks. “Or Mei? Why are you picking Penny up?”
“Just helping out my wife.”
Something about this guy puts me on edge. He’s territorial and mildly threatening. It could be that I’m defensive and he’s a cop who could out our little fraudulent marriage. Or, there’s a reason I can’t put my finger on.
Cop or not, I don’t trust him.
“Wife,” Christopher repeats as if the word doesn’t taste right on his tongue. “And how long have you known Jin?”
There’s a knowing glint in his eyes. Like he already has me figured out.
“Christopher,” Carol says, voice tinged in warning. “Let this fella get on his way. Supper’s about ready anyway.”
I find Penny’s backpack on the sofa, shoulder it, and then hold my hands out to take her back. Christopher glowers at me before reluctantly passing her to me. Penny starts to cry, making me feel like a dick, but I don’t let it deter me. With a quick thanks to Carol, I slip out of the house, and hurry to my car where I’ve installed a car seat.
