Wren, leaning against the fence, sunlight catching in her hair. She’s in tight jeans that hug her curves, boots laced up to her knees, and a simple white tank that leaves just enough to my imagination.
The bike roars as I come nearer, eyes fixed on her. She looks up, and her lips curl into a smile—the kind that makes me think I’d kill a man just to keep it there, just to have her look at me like that forever.
She shifts her gaze toward Alex, who’s already running toward me, his little legs pumping hard.
I pull up, kill the engine, and get off the bike. My heart thumps a little harder—doesn’t matter how many times I see her, it’s the same every damn time. I drag a deep breath in, tearing my eyes away from her because now I hear him again, louder, excited.
“Papa!”
I squat down just as Alex reaches me, and he all but jumps into my arms. I lift him easily, settling him on my hip. He’s so small, yet his smile is the biggest thing in my world.
The warmth of the morning sun hits my back, and for a second,everything’s perfect.
He locks eyes with me, his own glittering with excitement. And I wonder—how does he not see me as the monster I am? He doesn’t know the things I’ve done. To him, I’m just… Papa. It messes me up inside in ways I can’t explain.
Ruffling Alex’s hair, I ask, “Ready, buddy?”
“Papa, whereda horsie?” he asks, eyes darting around the pastures.
I point toward the grand stable in the distance, its arched doors open, sunlight streaming through. “Right over there. You gonna help me pick which one we ride?”
He nods, eyes bright. “Yes! Iwan’ dabig one!Da biiig horsie!”
Wren walks up to us, her hips swaying, and damn it, she’s just so fucking beautiful today. She gives me a look that’s half amused, half warning.
“Easy, Lexi Bear. Maybe start with the small one first, huh?”
Alex frowns, looking at me like I’ve got all the answers. “But Iwan’ dabig one, Papa.”
I heft him higher, carrying him on my shoulder, and he bursts into giggles. The weight pulls at my side, and I grunt, feeling the ache from that old wound. Wren’s eyes narrow, shooting me that “Why do that, you idiot?”glare. Yeah, I know. But it’s worth it, hearing him laugh like that.
“How about we start with the pony, and if you like it, we work up to the big guy? Deal?”
He considers it for a moment, then nods enthusiastically. “Deal!”
Wren shakes her head, a laugh escaping her lips.
“You two are something else.” She cocks an eyebrow and tilts her head like she’s sizing us up and finding us both hilariously pigheaded. “Stubborn as hell, both of you.” And then, like she’s just realized something crazy, her lips press together, and she says, “Just like you, D.”
I can’t help the smile that tugs at my mouth. She’s not wrong. I hear Alex start humming some tune, all off-key, while I shift him on my shoulder.
“Look, Papa! Brown horsie! An’ ‘nother brown one!”
“Yeah, kid, a lotta brown ones,” I smirk, catching Wren’s eye. She’s watching us with that soft look she gets sometimes, and I feel it right there in my chest. It’s like I’m whole when I’m with them.
The trainer, a middle-aged guy with a calm face, gives us a nod. “Morning, Mr. Orlov. Got a gentle one here for the young rider.”
Alex’s eyes go wide as the pony is led out. The little guy’s got a shiny coat and a braided mane, and he’s calm as anything, barely flinching as Alex reaches out.
“Papa, what’s his name?”
I glance at the trainer. He shrugs. “Her name’s Bella.”
“Be-wwa?” Alex repeats, trying it out, his little tongue tripping over the “Ls.”
“Yeah, Bella,” I say, lifting him up to get a better look. He pats the pony’s neck, all careful, his face lighting up. “See? She’s gentle.”
Alex giggles. “She soft, Papa!”
