Royce catches Ballard’s smooth move.“You’re together?”
Apparently, we’ve bored Jolene since she walks off without another word.I’m about to open my mouth to reply to Royce when I feel a warm hand on my stomach.Glancing down, and to Ballard, I’m completely at a loss for words.
“Seriously?”Royce grunts and is staring at Ballard who nods.
What the hell is going on?I try to reach for Ballard’s wrist when I see him pull out his phone.Dammit.Wasn’t I clear on the whole no speaking thing?The man doesn’t even have a damn voice for crying out loud, and he’s taking over completely the second we step inside.
Within seconds he’s holding it out for Ballard to read who stuns me completely when he says, “Pregnant?Man, you move fast.I guess it’s because she saved you, eh?”
Royce pats Ballard’s shoulder as if he’s proud of him.
Turning to me he says, “So, you will be on desk duty I presume?Maybe quit your job to take care of the child?You’re not working any active cases now, are you?You got hurt once before on the job.Luckily, we don’t get any serial killers around here.Though, you should be careful with a baby in your belly.”
I grit my teeth because the man who’s standing before me, the one I share DNA with, is in my eyes a damn serial killer himself.
“We don’t have many open cases,” I lie.
Royce’s smile brightens and he turns to Ballard.“I know you turned in your resignation, but I would like to offer you a job.Your talent is wasted if you stay up that mountain, and between you and me?Raising a child is expensive.Let’s talk.”
They walk off and I’m left to mingle by myself.Awesome.This sting is turning into a shitshow.
CHAPTER FIVE
–BALLARD –
“It’s not hard to admit, Ballard.”Royce grabs my shoulder and gives it an affectionate squeeze.“I’ve missed having you around.You’ve been a good friend and a viable addition to the company.Unlike some of the others.I’m working on it, though.Lots of changes coming, and I’d like for you to be there once the dust settles.”
I give the man a tight nod.His compliment gives me a boost.I’ve always respected the man, well...up until recently.It was hard to believe this fucker had it in him to plan straight up murder for his own damn benefit.The evidence doesn’t lie, though.Even if it’s inadmissible in court, it opened my damn eyes.
Helena showing up at my doorstep caused the same reaction I had toward my friends; to get rid of her and turn my back on the world.Yet, she made a good case, along with the promise of getting my dick sucked by a stunning woman.
Now?Standing here and hearing this piece of shit rattle as if he’s untouchable?Talking down to my friends?Yeah, the need for vengeance is a driving force giving me my will to live like I did before I lost the ability to talk.Something Helena also pointed out before we entered this house, telling me she’d do all the talking.
I smile at the reminder and throw a glance at the woman standing on the other side of the room.She’s the one who saved me, knows exactly what happened, and was there when the doctor explained shit.The only difference between them and Helena is the fact that she doesn’t tiptoe around it; around me.She’s confronting, doesn’t look at me with pity, and even jokes about it.
“She’s my daughter.I didn’t raise her, my parents did,” Royce suddenly states.
