Page 75 of The Law of Deceit

I tried denying the attraction between us and that didn’t work. That means my only option now is to keep it between us. It’s such a bitch move, but I’m too greedy to let him go. I want Dempsey. So much. If this is the only way I can have him—in secret—so be it.

After a quick shower, which Dempsey sadly doesn’t join, I finally make my way into the kitchen. Kaden is awake, playing a video game, while shoving bacon absently into his mouth.

“Plate’s in the microwave,” Kaden says around chewing. “Dempsey said don’t cook it without reading the note first.”

Note?

I don’t have an opportunity to be sad about Dempsey having already gone as curiosity gets the better of me. I open the microwave to see a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and pancakes waiting for me. A tented piece of paper addressed to “Babe” sits on top.

My heart melts.

He’s so sweet and thoughtful.

I pull the note out and then turn on the microwave. Once the food starts reheating, I read his message in surprisingly neat handwriting.

Morning, sleepyhead!

I got a call from Dad chewing my ass out for breaking his car rule. I figured I’d head home and do some damage control. You didn’t have shit for groceries, so I ran to the store first and whipped you guys up something to eat. Do you ever feed that kid anything besides takeout? Don’t worry, babe, you’ve got me now. I’m more than a spoiled shit. I actually learned how to cook. Anyway, I’ll call you later. Just wanted to make you feel special this morning. Get used to the feeling because I plan to do it every damn day if you’ll let me.

Love you,

Dempsey

My heart hammers in my chest. I kind of panicked when he told me he loved me last night, but I’m not going to lie. It feels good to hear it. He’s right about our level of feelings, though. Where he’s been in love with me for a long time, I’m slowly getting there. It may happen sooner than I’m expecting because everything about him makes me smile.

I’m happy with Dempsey.

Truly happy.

It’s the first time in my life I could say that and mean it. I thought I was happy when I’d gotten accepted into the police academy or when I took my first ride in my squad car as an official police officer. Looking back, it was just pride or satisfaction.

Not this light, giggly feeling that’s gotten a hold of me.

This is happiness.

The microwave beeps, bursting my bubble, and reality slowly trickles in without Dempsey to distract me.

Trevor is on the run. Lenny is dead.

I’m going to have to tell Rhiannon today.

I’ll need to tell Kaden too, but I will do it all at once. I’m not about to tell this story twice in a row if I don’t have to.

“Hey, kiddo,” I call out to Kaden after I wolf down the best damn breakfast I’ve had in a long time. “You want to go see your mom?”

The game pauses and he makes his way into the kitchen.

“I need to talk to her. I can go alone or—”

“Let me grab my shoes!”

A flutter of happiness presents itself again. Reuniting Kaden with my mother is a good thing. Now that she’s away from Lenny—for good—I think things might get better for both of them.

“Kay-Kay!”

“Mom!”

Kaden nearly tackles Rhiannon in Mom’s cramped living room, overcome with joy at seeing his mother. Rhiannon sobs and laughs as though the moment is equal parts happy as it is sad. She’s not a bad person but just got wrapped up with one. Those kids love their mom. Maybe now she can be the parent they’ve desperately needed.

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