Page 54 of Sniper

That mother….

He knows I won’t kick his ass right then because I’m holding a baby, but right now…God, what I would give to punch him in his pretty face.

Growling at his tone, I stand abruptly, ensuring Alexander is safe in my arms, and say, “Brook, I’m stealing your baby for a little while, and no, your momma nor Carol are having him. You two talk!” I storm away to where I was originally sitting.

As soon as I’ve sat down, feeling the women’s eyes from the bar on me, Theo joins me, but before he can open his mouth, Autumn runs over and jumps in his lap, making him chuckle.

My body melts at seeing her lay her head on his shoulder, and again, I want to hurt him for doing this to us, for hurting us.

He looks my way, his eyes softening as he sees me gently rocking Alexander, and he rasps, “Soon it’ll be our baby you’re holding while our girl is in my arms.” His gaze takes in my face. “I know you're angry at me, Firecracker, and I know I deserve it, but you know I love you, you know I love our daughter. I didn’t know how to tell you the truth without losing you, and I may not have gone about it the right way but I don’t regret it, because you’re here.”

Leaning forward, he kisses my head, and I close my eyes, willing the tears away.

“You’ll forgive me in time, and we’ll be okay because we’re meant to be,” he whispers before leaning away, and gently running his fingers through our daughter’s hair.

I look down at a sleeping Alexander.

It's all good for him to comment on how we’re meant to be because I know we are, but he still hurt me.

Some days, I wish I’d met him before my ordeal, but then I’d feel guilty because it would mean I wouldn’t have my Autumn—maybe another child, yes, but not her.

I move Alexander a little, my arm brushing against my bump, and my heart shatters. I don’t know if I can keep this baby. All I can hear is his voice in my head, and to bring another child into a world full of lies and grief….

I can’t do that, I just can’t.

But can I destroy an innocent and hurt my husband that way?

Wouldn’t that make me just like him?

17

Sniper – One Month Later

I storm into Momma’s house, trying to control my anger that’s threatening to boil over.

“I can’t have another baby like this, Theo. I can’t,” she cries.

I blink, sniffing hard, walking through the kitchen to the backyard, hearing the laughter and chatter. Rory’s words fill my head, the pain that radiated from her, my anger taking over.

“Like fucking what?” I shout, “Into a life of love and happiness?”

I shake my head as I walk through the glass sliding door, and Autumn shouts, “Daddy!” and runs my way with the biggest grin, making my heart soar. I smile, catch her, and swing her up and around, before placing her on my hip. Again, I wonder what my woman went through and who Autumn’s biological father really is, her words haunting me.

“Full of pain and lies…. I can’t have another child like that,” she whispers back, and I feel like I’ve just been punched in the gut.

I tear up, and I put my lips to my little girl’s head, the thought of Autumn being conceived through pain killing me.

What the fuck happened to them?

What is she hiding from me?

“Son?” my dad questions, and I look his way. He’s standing near the grill, his brows furrowed.

I shake my head, look at Autumn, and coax, “Why don’t you go play in your new sandbox with Daisy before we go home, Princess.”

She nods enthusiastically, making us all chuckle as I place her on the ground, and she runs off, her yellow dress swishing as she runs, her curly red hair going haywire.

Who the fuck is her biological father?

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