Page 31 of Crossing Lines

“I’m okay, Daddy. He had an advantage,” I said, pulling back, “this time. Attacking me while I had an armful of baby. I’m gonna—Next time, I’m gonna cut his balls off and choke him with them.”

“She’s quite colorful, isn’t she?” a strange voice said from the crowd.

“Mister, you have no idea.”

A man came from the back of the waiting area, stopping beside Jacks and Charlie.

I narrowed my eyes. “And who the hell are you supposed to be?” He was decked out in cargo pants and a wife beater, with shades pushed up on the brim of a baseball cap, looking cocky. I felt Trace stiffen behind me.

“Jim Davenport,” he said, dipping his head.

“It’s all your fault!” It’s a good thing Trace was right there or he’d have never stopped me. That was the asshole who had put Trace and Chip in danger. They’d been called in to help his sorry ass.

“Stella!” Daddy’s booming voice sent a shiver of fear through me. I felt Trace list to the side and balanced myself to keep him up.

“Fuck. I’m sorry, baby. You okay?” Never mind the pain. I needed it to remind myself that I couldn’t kick this peckerhead’s ass yet. Give me a day or two. Then it was game the fuck on.

“I guess you’re upset with the way things went down. We are too; that’s why I’m here. I’ve been tracking Kurt since Ohio. Trace didn’t know I was coming. He figured out Kurt was coming, but not that I was on his ass. I do have a warrant for him.”

My body stiffened atthatrevelation. “You knew!” I turned, watching as Trace braced himself up on the wall.

“I wasn’t sure. That’s why I texted you earlier; we were worried he’d made his way here.”

I couldn’t deal with this shit right now. I turned and walked out of the room, making my way to the kitchen to find Ethan. I’d take him to the center and stay there for a while. If I didn’t, I might do something regrettable to my fiancé.

Chapter 13

Stella

I was so mad;I swear there was fire coming from my ears. He knew that asshole was coming here. He knew what he’d threatened me with the last time. After he’d beat the crap out of me. He knew. He had been there. He’d seen it all. Motherfucking men.

“Stella, wait!” I stopped in the hall and sighed.

My fingers curled into a fist on my good hand. If he came closer, I was going to either punch him in the face or junk-punch him. “Not now, I need some time.”

When I heard him moving away, I finished my trek to the back of the house. I scrubbed the back of my neck and stopped in the kitchen. No one was there. I sighed and went on through the open door and out onto the back porch. Doc G sat in his rocking chair, his eyes on the field behind his house. Ethan was sound asleep against his chest. I couldn’t help but smile.

“Come take a seat, Stel,” he invited, nodding to the chair beside him. I did, without question.

“Is he okay?” I asked. The kid was totally out for the count. If a bomb went off right now, I didn’t think he’d wake up.

“He’s fine, sweetheart. We got him cleaned up, I gave him a bottle, and he’s been sleeping since I came outside. He’s a good baby.”

“He really is. I like most kids, but there’s something special about him.”

My gaze went up to my daddy’s when he came out and sat down beside Doc. He was here for support. I saw it in his eyes. I loved that man so much.

“I believe things happen for a reason. People come into our lives when they’re supposed to. They’re meant to help us in some way.” Doc smiled.

“What’s a baby meant to teach me?” I asked, confused. Daddy and Doc shared a look, but it was Doc who answered me.

“Well, that could be many things. He came in right after you’d found out you’re going to have a baby. Do you remember how upset you were? The freak-out I heard about was—destructive.” He chuckled.

The old man had jokes.

“Ugh…” I grumbled.

“He’s the one to show you that you can do it. I mean, you’ve already had experience here. He’s just going to show you that you can be a loving mother. He’s a precious gift for us all. All babies are.” Doc shifted the little bundle and smiled at me again.

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