Page 141 of Anything To Be With You

"No, Bubba. You were not the reason I tried."

Mason lifts his head and meets my eyes. "Then why?"

I exhale. I had always prayed I would never have to explain my past to him. However, he does deserve to know.

"Guilt. I felt like the worlds worst mother. I had to work two jobs and leave you with Nanny and Papa. I barely spent any time with you when you were younger. I was in a horrible place mentally and I thought you’d be better off without me."

"My best memories all revolve around you, Ma," he places me on the floor. "No matter how busy or tired you were, you always had time for me. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without you.” He smiles. “I love you, Ma."

I smile up at my baby boy. "And I love you more than life itself."

You're Getting A Woody

Dani

A week later

"Why am I being charged? He broke into my house and attacked me!" I yell, tossing the papers on the table.

"I’m just as confused as you are, Dani girl." Gabe states from his seat.

"Ugh! I’m so sick of that man. I just want this to be over with." I let my head fall back on my shoulders. "How much do you think it’d cost to take out a hit on him?"

Gabe laughs. "I’ll do it for free, baby girl."

"Jesus, you two, don't say shit like that out loud," Mark scolds. "You never know who might be listening."

I'm sitting with Gabe and Mark at the kitchen table in Gabe's condo on Bathurst Street. He texted me this morning to let me know that Josh has pressed charges on not only him but me as well. I had asked Mark to meet me there seeing as how Josh also added these charges to the countersuit.

The front door opens and heavy footsteps grab my attention. I lift my head in time to see Luke standing next to the table. His eyes roam over my face, down to my broken wrist and back to my face. Fury sizzles in his ice blue eyes and he exhales through his nose hard.

"How are you feeling, Daniella?" he asks.

I shrug. "Okay."

"And Mason?"

My heart slams so hard against my chest, it knocks the air from my lungs. "He's…better. Thank you for asking." I breathe.

"I will always ask how you two are doing. Always."

I duck my head to hide my burning cheeks from him. "Thank you."

"I told you he'd press charges, Gabe." Luke says, grabbing my attention and changing the subject.

"I thought you couldn't represent family."

"I'm not, I'm only here to help."

"Then who's your lawyer, Gabe?"

Gabe fires me a beaming smile, popping out his one dimple. "Me, baby girl. I'm representing myself. It may surprise you to know that while I didn't become a lawyer, I did attend law school."

"So you have a law degree?" I ask, stunned at this new information.

"Fuck no," he laughs. "I only made it halfway through the second year before I realized it wasn't for me. However, I learned enough to be able to represent myself in court if need be."

Mark hands Luke the new papers and he begins to read them over while pacing the kitchen. "They are dismissing the video evidence, saying that it can be altered? That’s a fucking load. They’re charging Gabe with assault and you as an accomplice to the assault. Are they fucking serious?"

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