Page 31 of Devil's Valentine

My woman goes from slumped against my chest to sitting straight up, fire in her eyes, her voice loud and full of thunder, “You better fucking believe that we’re going to make it right. My brothers are coming home with me. I’m going to take care of them from now on. No more belts, no more abuse. I’ll never let that fucker touch them again.”

I can’t help it; I melt at the heart my woman has.

Ezekiel’s voice is small, “What? You want us? Dad said you never even wanted to meet us. He said it over and over as he burned me with his cigarette.”

That does it. Scarlett is flying off my lap and Lucifer barely gets out of the way fast enough as my woman falls to her knees in front of the boys.

“You listen to me,” her voice is firm, “I never knew you existed. I’m so sorry that he used my name and my existence to hurt you. I’ve never met the man, never,” she insists. “You’re my brothers. Even if all his words are just lies and we have no blood ties, you’re mine now. I won’t let him hurt you again. I’m so sorry he hurt you at all.”

Well. Fuck.

My brothers look down at my woman, admiration shining in her eyes.

“But,” Malcolm’s voice is small and at complete odds with how he was trying to posture before, “we fucked with your bakery.”

“Language,” Scarlett chastises and the kid blushes. Her face softens and she shakes her head. “Stuff can be replaced and fixed. I’ll never hold it against you. You were angry and you lashed out. If you promise to never do it again, then I can forgiveyou.” He looks shocked and she grins. “You’ll also be working here to pay for the damages.”

I watch Malcolm transform right in front of my eyes. He sits up straighter, her eyes going from wounded to determined. “I can do that.”

“I know you can,” she whispers and then holds her arms open.

The boys dive into her embrace and I can’t help but look on in awe.

Lucifer steps up next to me, his voice low. “I’ve called a friend on the force and someone I know at DCFS. They’re on their way. We’ll get everything sorted and DNA tests done. Then we’ll make sure our girl gets custody.”

I look at my Prez and arch an eyebrow, “Our girl?”

He smirks at me and nods toward where Scarlett is hugging the boys as silent tears track down all of their faces. The relief is practically flowing from all three of them.

“They’re family now.” Lucifer slaps me on the back and teases me, “Hope you’re ready to help raise two boys who will need a lot of help.”

I stand taller because there’s no way I’ll allow my woman to face this alone. I nod once and then walk closer to the three of them, crouching down and placing a comforting hand on my woman’s back. She looks over at me with worry, but the look on her face is quickly replaced with adoration as she studies me.

She knows I’ll have her back. No matter what.

CHAPTER 13

FRENZY

My woman has been quiet all day. She insisted that she was going to stay at the bakery and train her new hire, Amber. Even though she’s been distracted, she’s worked hard to keep things together. I know she didn’t want to inconvenience Amber by pushing it back a day. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner the business is busy, which is why I let it go.

I’m so damn proud of her, but I can tell she’s almost at the end of her rope.

I can’t watch it anymore.

When I walk up to my woman, she looks at me with pleading eyes. Yeah, she’s done.

As I look at Amber, it’s clear she’s concerned about my woman as well. “You know what you need to do with everything?”

Amber gives Scarlett a small smile and then nods. “I can get the rest of the things baked off. I don’t know what’s going on, but I can see you’re about to unravel.”

She’s not fucking wrong. This morning was emotional, and I know Scarlett hated having to let DCFS take the boys. Even if it comes back that they aren’t her brothers by blood, they are now brothers in her heart.

Fuck, she astounds me.

Lucifer is all over making sure the DNA testing is processed quickly and fast tracking the DCFS investigation. He also made it very clear that Scarlett will be petitioning for custody of the boys, no matter what. The social worker sagged with relief at that, I’m sure she didn’t want to see more kids put into the system.

“Are you sure?” Scarlett’s voice is so small, and I can’t stand it.

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