Page 169 of Moon's Promise

Moon’s stomach sank at the relieved expression filling Larissa’s face.

“I know you do, Mom. You always have.”

He wanted to cry when Larissa bent down to hug her mother.

“I’m so happy we worked this out. I wanted to be able to spend this time with you alone before the baby arrives. After she comes, it won’t be the same.”

“No, it won’t.”

Moon’s instincts kicked into high gear. He didn’t think Kendra’s words were meant at face value.

“I’ll do the dishes and turn in for the night,” Larissa said, moving toward the kitchen.

“I’ll take care of the dishes. You go to bed.” Moon stood with his plate, took Larissa’s from her, and went into the kitchen.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. This won’t take me long.”

“All right. Good night, Mom.”

“Good night, Larissa,” Kendra replied before resuming scrolling on her phone.

Putting the dishes in the sink, Moon started cleaning up the mess he had made. Once the dishes were in the dishwasher, he walked to the table and sat down.

Kendra didn’t bother acknowledging he was there.

“I think we need to talk.”

Setting her phone on the table, she gave him an inquiring look. “What would you like to discuss?”

“For starters”—he was done pussyfooting around with the bitch—“I want to know what game you’re playing.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

He narrowed his gaze on her. “Why have you really been treating Larissa like shit?”

CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

“Tell me, Moon, how am I treating my daughter badly?”

“You put her down at every opportunity in front of me,” he snapped.

Kendra tilted her head. “If you felt that way, why haven’t you said anything before now?”

“I didn’t want to upset Larissa.”

“Really?” Kendra gave him a direct stare. “Or have I finally angered you enough over your precious jelly to say something?”

If any of the brothers were there, they would be amazed at the rigid self-control he was exerting to keep himself from tossing her out the front door.

“Unlike you, I haven’t wanted to upset Larissa,” he repeated.

Kendra gave him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes as she rose from the table. “I think I’ll have a glass of wine. Would you like to join me?”

“No, thanks.”

Moon half-turned in his chair to watch her as she went to the fridge.

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