Page 48 of All for her Forgiveness

"Yes. I've grown fond of you, dear, and I don't like the idea of you not having a friend in a new place."

"I have Mrs. Vina and Pam."

"You don't know them, Kennedy. Riny, may hell hold her, wasn't the only bitch in the world."

"They seem like good people."

"Everyone seems good in the first chapter, but living together is reading the whole book, my dear. I'll sort out my life and then move to be near you."

"And your job?"

"Name any occupation in the universe, and I guarantee I've done it."

"But you earn well as a dealer."

"After what you told me, about how they disrespected you, I wouldn't stay there anyway."

"Why are you so good to me, Mr. Ernest?"

"What?"

"Since you moved next door, you've been nothing but protective, caring—a true father figure. Why?"

It's a fact: Ernest has been by my side supporting me from the moment we met. He got me the job at the casino as a cleaner, brought me home after work, got me approved for the second job, and now says he'll move so I have a friend nearby.

I know there's no malice in his intentions. He's always been respectful, like a father would be.

He brushes the back of his hand against my cheek. "Because someone has to love you, Kennedy, and I've decided it will be me."

Kennedy

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Present

NEW ORLEANS

"Are you ready to go home?"Ernest asks softly, gently stroking my cheek and waking me from a nap.

The first sensation upon waking is one of sheer panic, as I vaguely remember having King in my arms.

"Oh my God, he could have fallen!" I say, propping myself up on my elbows, and when I manage to do so, I see a completely asleep Hades sitting near the crib.

His head is leaning on the railing, and he looks so exhausted that not even our conversation woke him up.

His hand holds my son's . . . I mean, if what he claims is true, he holdsourson's tiny hand, or maybe it's the other way around. King seems to cling to his father, his tiny hand wrapped around Hades’ immense finger.

I attribute the way my throat tightens as I watch the two of them to the fact that I'm still very emotional, my body completely drained by hormones.

When I turn to look at Ernest again, he shakes his head. "You love your enemy." It's not a question; it's a statement.

"I don't remember loving him or hating him, but I need to hold on to the latter hypothesis. I can't love him," I whisper. "Hades wants to keep me away from my boy."

"He didn't know about King's existence until now."

"I don't think it changes anything. Pam was his ward. I'm the monster who took her life."

"You didn't do that, Kennedy."

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