Page 104 of Unbreakable Love

I hugged her tighter, kissing her temple while she worked through her tears. Her cries quieted and her body relaxed, but my own rage was still simmering.

This woman had no idea the beauty she brought into the world, and if I had my way, she’d never be able to hurt her again.

My job was to protect Penny, even if it hurt in the short term.

“Give me your phone, Pen.”

“Why?”

My lips pressed to her temple. “Do you trust me?”

“Of course.” She tilted her head back and I reached out to wipe away tears that stained her freshly washed face. I gritted my teeth at her swollen, bloodshot eyes. All because of this damn woman.

“Why do you give her money?”

She shrugged and felt so small in my arms. So fragile. “I keep hoping she’ll change.”

Not surprising in the least. Penny had a way of seeing and thinking the best of everyone. She’d seen it in me, when I was still being an ass.

“Give me your phone.”

Two tiny lines dug into the space between her brows, but she handed over her phone. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m taking care of you. The way you should have been taken care of your entire life.” She unlocked the phone, and I went to her recent calls. I hit the speakerphone button and dialed her mom’s number.

“Gavin,” Penny whispered, but I kissed her. “Trust me, Penny. Even if this hurts, just hold on to me.”

Because I was about ready to stab her in her gut, but this way, she’d know for sure. I’d be there to pick up the pieces, and I had no doubt Maize would understand.

Hell, she’d probably show up to not only check on Penny, but celebrate.

“You better be calling because you sent the money.”

Her mom’s voice was cruel, scratchy, and slurred even though it was barely after ten in the morning. She was drunk. Mean. And she was going to lose the best thing that ever happened to her.

“This isn’t Penny, it’s Gavin, her boyfriend.”

Her mom scoffed, and Penny flinched in my hold but stayed silent. “She doesn’t have boyfriends. She’s probably one of those damn lesbians or something. Always too afraid to let a man get near her.”

My jaw gritted and my mouth filled with words for this hateful shrew. I hadn’t anticipated her being this bad or this cruel. Penny had given the picture of a thoughtless woman, but not cruel.

“Well, she has one now and I don’t like it much when my woman gets off a phone call and falls apart in tears because her own mother doesn’t give a shit about her.”

“And?”

Jesus. She didn’t even argue the point. More tears fell down Penny’s cheeks as she silently cried in my arms.

“I’ll give you fifteen grand to never contact her again. Or Maize.”

There was a beat. No more than one before she said, “Deal. Little shits ruined my life. What do I need them for?”

Penny gasped and a sob broke free.

“You’ll have it by the end of the day.” I ended the call and tossed her phone.

Penny broke down again.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I’m so sorry I did that, but she doesn’t have the right to hurt you, Penny. People who care about someone don’t do that and you deserve to not only feel nothing but love every day of your life, you deserve to have someone stand up for you and protect you.”

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