Page 55 of Outlaw

“I think she’s asleep.” Linc’s deep voice was definitely right next to my ear. Goose bumps covered my skin, even with the warmth from the sun. “Ringlets, I think you might be playing possum,” he whispered so close to me that his cigar-and-mint breath heated my skin.

When what felt like his knuckles ran down my arm, causing goosebumps, I gave up and opened my eyes. “I’m awake now,” I said, trying not to sound angry for Stevie’s sake.

Linc chuckled, and then he stood back up.

“Mommy!” Stevie said with excitement dripping in her tone. “Tomawah, we awah going to get me a puppy!”

My gaze went from her to Linc. “We are?” I asked, not sure that was a good thing.

She’d get attached, and when we moved out in a year, would the dog stay here? Why hadn’t we discussed it first? I had told Linc about her getting one when I married Hudson, but that had been a different situation.

“I’ve got a friend who just bought a goldendoodle puppy from a couple who breeds them in Jackson. I was going to take her to pick one out,” he explained, wrapping a towel around his shoulders.

I loved goldendoodles, and because I was going to push Stevie in that direction, I knew that they were all sold before they were even born. Especially if it was a trusted breeder.

“Linc, those dogs sell fast. As in as soon as the mother is pregnant with them. They aren’t going to have any left.”

I wished he hadn’t told her this before assuming because of who he was that he’d get to just go pick one out.

He ran the end of the towel over his damp face, smirking. “They kept two of them because they were their favorites. I convinced them to sell me one.” He glanced at Stevie. “That is, if she makes a connection with one of them.”

I should have guessed he’d covered all his bases.

Stevie was bouncing and smiling so big that her dimples were at their deepest. “Let’s think of a name, Mommy!”

If there was a word more descriptive than smug, then it would fit Linc’s expression perfectly.

“You can make a list of names, but until you see the puppy and see its personality, I don’t think it’s fair to label it with a name yet.”

Stevie’s eyes widened. “Like me. ’Cause you didn’t name me until you held me. Wight?”

Talking about this—holding her for the first time and naming her—around Linc made me uncomfortable.

It was the most wonderful day of my life, and yet I had never felt more alone. No parents were anxious to rush in and see me and the baby. I had no one in the room with me who loved me, holding my hand and telling me I was doing great. When tears fell as I gazed down at my baby girl for the first time, I had no one there waiting to hold and adore her next.

Maybe that was the moment I changed. I got selfish. Because I never felt the same again. The woman who had walked into the hospital after driving herself there at midnight with contractions four minutes apart and seven centimeters dilated was not the same one who left with a baby wrapped in a pink blanket.

But I had chosen that.

I had thought it was the best for Stevie.

So, no. I’d been selfish before. Because Linc would have been there. He might not have loved me the way I wanted, but he’d have loved her. I had stolen it from him. The most precious moments in my life—he could have shared them with me. Heldher close and whispered that he’d always protect her. The things I had wanted for her so badly.

Blaming him because he was a womanizer wasn’t fair. He was still her dad.

I nodded. “Right,” I replied as a lump formed in my throat. I couldn’t say more.

Twenty-Six

Linc

The call that had come last night from the governor, wanting to see the videos and photos, was annoying. I’d had plans after Stevie was tucked in tight, and I’d been working that angle, reeling in Branwen all evening. Having to leave before Stevie was even in bed pissed me off. Bane went with me and said nothing about my foul mood. It was why I’d taken him and not Luther. He’d not have shut up about it.

I wanted that fucking excuse for a diamond ring off her hand. To get what I wanted, I needed less distractions and more time with both Branwen and Stevie.

Today’s outing had been just that, and my mood had improved immensely.

Taking a drink from my glass, I watched as Branwen and Stevie sat on the floor in the corner of the great room with all the things that Stevie had wanted for Maui. The blue merle goldendoodleshe had chosen had clear blue eyes the color of the ocean.

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