Page 76 of Levi

“Hi, Levi. I, um, need to look for… something,” Celine responded quickly before hurrying off.

Kinley shook her head with a small smile. “She’s not actually looking for anything,” she admitted.

Levi smirked. “I kind of figured that.”

He noticed the package she held and asked, “A doorbell camera?”

“My car alarm went off at four o’clock this morning,” she explained.

“Did you see anyone?” Levi’s jaw tensed.

“No, but it scared me. Now I’ll be able to check if it happens again.” She raised the camera for him to see.

“You let me know if you see him around your place.”

“I will.”

“I don’t trust that son of a bitch. Don’t hesitate to call me,” he told her firmly.

“Do you know if he’s still around?”

“I have no idea. I haven’t heard from him.”

“Maybe he left,” Kinley suggested hopefully.

“I doubt it. He’s trying to make my life miserable. Hell, he already did that,” Levi replied bitterly.

“I hope he leaves.”

Levi met her gaze and she blinked back tearsbefore he looked away.

“I should go. Seriously, Kinley, tell me if he bothers you again. I talked to Sam about it. I’d have to go to court, but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him out of our lives.” He touched the brim of his hat. “Have a good day.”

Tears streamed down Kinley’s cheeks as she watched him walk away. She jumped when Celine put her arm around her.

“You two need to work this out,” Celine said gently.

“He’d never trust me again. I ruined everything.” Kinley cried.

“Come on, let’s go home and figure out how to install this for you.”

“Thank you.”

They made their way to the registers, paid for their items, and left the store. As they drove back home, Kinley couldn’t help but think about Levi and what could have been.

Chapter Thirteen

Levi couldn’t get Kinley out of his mind as he left the store. Despite how good she looked, he had to accept that they were over. As much as he wanted her back in his life, he knew it wasn’t a possibility. Even if she insisted she no longer wanted children, Levi couldn’t help but worry that she would change her mind again.

He accepted that there would never be another woman who could compare to her. She was the one he wanted by his side, but he couldn’t take the risk. She had told him she only needed him in her life, but then later revealed that she wanted children.

Thinking about losing Kinley and then seeing his father show up made Levi want a strong drink, but he resisted. He knew the dangers of alcohol and refused to give in.

Arriving at his house, Levi spotted an unfamiliar truck parked by the porch. He turned off his truck and stepped out, immediately clenching his jaw when he saw his father exiting the other vehicle. Fisting his hands, he marched toward him.

“You need to get the fuck off my property,” Levi demanded, his voice trembled with anger and defiance as he faced his father, the man who had caused him so much pain. The only emotion he felt toward him now was pure hatred, a consuming fire that burned in his chest.

“We should talk. Move past... the past,” LeRoyreplied calmly.

---