Page 7 of These Jagged Edges

Vic never could talk me into carrying a gun, but a taser I can do. Vic always says tase first and asks no questions because I don't owe anybody shit if they try and come at me.

I love that man and his no-nonsense attitude something fierce.

"Well, if it isn’t my lucky day. I'd ask how you are, but sugar, I know you’re fine." The way the word fine is drug out has me turning to meet the flirty gaze of Mercy Wilder. He's leaning over his buggy on his long arms with a lazy smile on his face. I let go of my taser, breathing out a sigh of relief.

"Hey, Mercy," I say, trying not to sound super relieved. He cocks an eyebrow at me, letting me know he caught it. Damn. Guess he sees through me as well.

"Who you got there with you, sugar?" He nods towards my boys.

"These are my sons, Sebastian and Charlie," I say, giving him a proud smile.

"Who are you?" Charlie asks quietly, sizing up Mercy.

"Mercy Wilder, I'm a new friend of your mama."

Charlie says nothing else and continues to look at Mercy as if he's mold he found growing on a piece of bread

Bash rolls his eyes at his brother. "I'm Bash," he says, sticking his little hand out. My heart swells with pride.

Mercy leans over and shakes his hand. "Nice to meet you both," Mercy says, looking between Bash and Charlie.

Charlie has one blue and one brown eye just like me and is standing with his arms crossed over his chest between Mercy and me.

"You cookin’ anything good tonight, sugar?" he draws in a sugary voice.

"She isn't going to invite your sorry ass for dinner," Maddox says walking up carrying two cases of water on one shoulder, easily not even out of breath.

He's dressed in the same outfit as the other day, which is what I assume he wears when training at his gym. I’d love to run my hand through his thick curly hair that always looks disheveled, but in a sexy way. His corded arms flex with every step he takes, making my mouth water.

I brace myself for whatever Maddox is feeling today, pushing the thought of running my fingers through his hair out of my mind. His stormy gaze locks on me, looking me up and down. He pauses for a second on my thighs, and I note the little flair to his nostrils before he meets my eye.

I’m dressed in cut-off shorts and a Thunder Ridge High T-shirt that I cut the neckline out of when I was pregnant, which puts one shoulder on display. It isn’t the sexiest outfit, but it shows more skin than I usually do. Maddox immediately takes notice his gaze lingering on my exposed collarbone for a brief second before adverting his gaze.

His words run through my head.'I fucking see you.'Yeah, well, see this big guy.

I look at Mercy, smiling at him. "Dinner will be ready at 6:00 p.m. Hope you like fried chicken."

Mercy flashes me a flirty smile. "Sugar, I’d eat snails if you cooked ‘em.”

"You wouldn't let me pay you for everything the other day, so the least I can do is feed you," I say, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, Maddox's hot gaze tracking my every move.

"You got to bring something. Mama says you don't show up anywhere empty-handed," Charlie says from beside me.

"That's a good mama you got there," Maddox tells him, his eyes never leaving me. The unexpected compliment brings a genuine smile to my face. I cherish my boys above all else and it’s the first nice thing I think I’ve ever heard the man say.

"Yeah, she is," Charlie says quietly.

"Can I bring my brother?" Mercy asks, pointing at Maddox.

"No!" Bash and Charlie say at the same time.

"Boys," I start, but Mercy gives me a wink and an all-knowing look. "Why not?"

"Because he," Charlie points at Maddox, "cursed at my mama! Twice!"

Mercy's infectious laugh fills the aisle. Before I know it, I'm laughing right along with him. Leave it up to my kid to call out somebody ten times his size. Looking up at Maddox, my laughter dies instantly.

The man is looking down at Charlie with a full-out smile. The scar across his lips takes nothing away from the man when he smiles. It's as if the dark shroud that usually surrounds him dissipates. Something in me shifts just a little seeing the man whose face is generally set in a permanent scowl grinning ear to ear at my baby.

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