“Fuck!” I roar.
“I know Raff, but gotta play this smart to keep her and her son safe. Trust me, she wanted to call you. She wants you with them. But she’s a mom first and no matter what protecting Justice trumps everything.”
Inside I know this, but it doesn’t mean I feel any better about any of it.
I wanted to come home to her. To the both of them.
I wanted to see Justice’s face light up while he shows me what he has done on the town. I wanted to read him the new book I picked up for us. I wanted to hear Jo sigh in relief like she does every evening as soon as she’s in my arms. It’s so subtle I don’t know that she realizes she does it.
Logically, Honey is right, and I need to be patient. I’ll have them with me tomorrow. But emotionally, I want my family with me.
Right now and forever.
I don’t sleep. I don’t even try. My mind spins with worst-case scenarios, playing out possibilities I have no control over. The whiskey burns in my stomach, but it doesn’t drown out the weight in my chest. When the sun finally rises, I’m already dressed, already waiting.
Honey sent a text an hour ago:
They’re on their way.
I step outside, pacing the length of my driveway. My heart pounds harder than it should. I should be calm. I should be steady. I’ve been in high-stakes situations more times than I can count, but none of that compares to this.
To waiting for them.
Headlights appear down the road. I stop pacing, watching as the car slows, then pulls into my driveway.
The second Jo steps out, I move. I don’t care about anything else. I reach her before she even shuts the door, pulling her into my arms, inhaling deep like I can breathe her into me.
She trembles slightly, but she holds on just as tight.
“You scared the hell out of me,” I rasp, pressing my lips to her hair.
She exhales against my chest. “I know. I wanted to call you.”
“You should have.”
“I couldn’t risk it.” She pulls back just enough to meet my eyes. “I didn’t want you to walk into something dangerous without knowing what was happening first.”
She relaxes into me. “I haven’t slept, and I have to get ready for work. Grinder said we have to go about things like normal until he sorts everything. I was supposed to have Sara take me straight to the office and Justice to school. I couldn’t though, I need to see you.”
“I needed this too. I’m sorry I was gone.”
She shrugs, “I get it. You had to and Honey, Sara, Grinder, Country Boy, Stud, the whole dang club has truly checked on me and kept me safe. I don’t want to take you from them. They are your family too.”
I smile, “you realize you’re my family now. I like that, Jo.”
She smiles back, “I like that you like that, Dean.”
“Quit being cute when we got things to do because right now baby, I’ve been gone, haven’t had a taste of you in days, and we gotta keep you and my little man safe. But I promise you I’m gonna show you how much I like you being mine real soon.”
Before she can respond, I glance past her to where Justice is climbing out of the car. The second his eyes meet mine, he grins.
“Dean!” He barrels toward me, and I catch him mid-run, lifting him easily.
“Missed you,” I say, my voice thick.
“I missed you too! Mom said you were on a trip.”
“Yeah, I was. But I’m here now.”
