Page 14 of His Valentine

“Have I mentioned how much I love Mike? He’s the best,” Lennie says.

“I lucked out, just like my girls here.” Mom nods to each of us.

“On that, I can wholeheartedly agree. Do you have time for a video call with Momma Catherine today? I have one final touch, and I want both of your opinions.” Asher and Lennie’s wedding date has been pushed up, and with my brother having a plethora of friends while Lennie has a smaller circle, they’ve decided to do away with having anyone standing up for them. They were both adamant about Briar being the flower girl, though, and as much as they’re trying to keep it small, it’s becoming bigger than Lennie could ever imagine.

“Of course. I’m so thankful you’ve included me on everything,” Mom says. The Johnson family is big, I’m talking there are six brothers, plus their wives, then there’s children,and the extended family with Amos and Genevieve. Not to mention the obvious, Lennie’s sister, Minnie. Yep, it’s fast approaching bigger by the minute. Lennie and Asher are taking it in stride, except she’s worrying about the money. My brother isn’t, and neither is our mom, plus I’m sure Mrs. Johnson won’t, either.

“One more thing, I talked to Mike about the whole car situation. We’d like to sell it to you for what you can afford. It’s paid off, has some age and miles on it, and we’d be trading it in within the next couple of years anyways.” Last night, I’d have said yes without hesitating; that was before Trent.

Trent with his stormy looks and panty-melting grins, his deep auburn hair, beard that’s been growing for a while now, and a heart bigger than the size of Texas. A body that would protect you and your daughter by any means necessary.

“Actually, I might have a car lined up.” I shrug my shoulders acting like it’s not a big deal.

“Whatever works for you, honey. The offer is there if something changes.” I didn’t get into the part about Gran and her diagnosis; it’s not my business to tell anyone until she’s damn good and ready. I’m sure once the news gets out, everyone will rally, organize a meal train, and spend as much time as possible with her.

I’m about to follow up her statement when Briar says, “Mommy, look.” She moves away from the table where she has more art supplies than a hobby store. There’s construction paper, crayons, colored pencils, stickers, and glitter glue. My family is slowly learning, after cleaning up numerous amounts of mess with the sparkly shit that seems to be impossible to wipe up, vacuum, or sweep.

“Watcha got there?” I ask, helping her climb into my lap. She’s holding a piece of bright red paper folded into a card.There are pink hearts cut out and glued to the front and star-shaped glitter written on the front.

“It’s a Valentine’s Day card. Open it.” Her wish is my command. Out of the corner of my eye, I see and feel the guys moving closer. Trent skirts his way behind Lennon, coming beside me to watch as I open the card.

“Oh, my baby girl.” My breath catches in my throat, hand going to my mouth. I look from the card to Briar to Trent. There on the card is a drawn version of the three of us.

“It’s you, me, and Trent,” she beams at me.

“How’d you know?” I ask, wondering if everyone knew Trent and I would get together besides, well, the two adults in a relationship.

“Silly mom, you always smile at him.” Mom awes, and Lennie has to wipe beneath her eyes.

“You’re right, I do.” Trent’s hands go to my shoulders, holding me when all I want to do is have his arms around Briar and me.

“There’s also the times when you whisper his name in your bedroom when you think no one can hear.” I close my eyes, mortification clearly written on my face.

“Alright, pipsqueak, what do you say we start cleaning up this mess while G-ma and Auntie Lennie make a quick call?” Asher saves the day.

“Okay, but I’m really happy you’re with Trent, Mommy. It’s the best Valentine’s Day present ever!” My family quickly disperse after, but Trent comes around and sits in the spot Mom vacated.

“So, you whispered my name, huh?” he asks with a whisper, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me in closer.

“You could say that.” The admission rolls off my tongue. Had I known Briar could hear me, I’d have bitten my lip, put a pillow over my head, or wait till she’s out of the house. I mean, I reallydid think she was asleep when I took care of myself. In fact, it was in the middle of the night or way early in the morning, if memory serves me right.

“You’re gonna have to be quieter tonight, babe.” My core aches at the reminder of him being inside me, so badly wanting him again. I go years and years without a man, using only my toys or my fingers, and now that I’ve had Trent, it’s like I’m in overdrive.

“Mommy, Trent, I’m ready to go home now.” Briar slams her body into the two of us, half her body on him, the other half on mine. I guess any worry I had about her accepting Trent into our life is unnecessary to even think about.

“Everything is picked up?” I ask her.

“Yep.” I watch as she lays her head on Trent’s, doing the complete opposite of heading home. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than here with Trent and Briar.

12

TRENT

“You talk to Briar one on one?” I come up behind Kennedy and wrap my arms around her chest. Everyone is here, minus the infamous jokester of our group, Jagger. He’s still out chasing the waves and probably a woman, too. While my girls were at home, relaxing before the start of another work week, I went to the office. I had my ass handed to me by the captain. Shit happens. I took his chewing me out. I’d do it all over again if it meant protecting Kennedy and Briar.

Jesus, walking into the Valentine-themed club was something out of Vegas; the decorations in and out were over the top and ridiculous. Maybe they thought standing out would make them blend in. Obviously, it didn’t. The sign with flashing legs spread open didn’t help. Neither did the “Roses are red, violets are blue, I came for a show, and I’m leaving with you.” You can’t make that shit up. The guys still can’t quit talking about it at the station. Lucky for them, they know to keep Kennedy’s name out of their mouths and pretend like they didn’t see dick.

A pile of paperwork later, going over the charges, I talked to Starr, an undercover detective who had to endure more than her fair share. She’s going to see a psychologist and counselor, per the brass as well as her. I didn’t dip too much into what she went through to get the intel she did, but the information she did share was a lot. Starr, better known as Deborah, said a lot of customers she could deter, but it was what she witnessed when Mitch brought in girls who didn’t want to be there. That shit hit her hard, rightfully fucking so. We don’t have all of these sick bastards off the street, but at least this group is. It doesn’t mean another one won’t appear, and when they do, we’ll work our asses to the bone to pick them off one by one.

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