Page 75 of Mr. Kelly

“And what’s that?”

“Patience.”

He presses his lips together so tightly they form a white line. When he speaks again, I know he’s moved on to the next subject.

“I fixed your pest problem. She really should read the small print in her agreements.”

I laugh without knowing what he did because, of course, he’d have small print. “Which states?”

“I was her executor of the estate. I sold the house and car from under her and told her to put an ocean between us. I’ll release the money from selling her house and car to her once she chooses a destination of my liking.”

My laughter picks up until I can’t breathe. “You exiled her?”

Andrea joins me in laughter, fully relaxing for the first time since I arrived. “Sure did. Helena cannot come back to my town without my expressed permission.” His eyes crinkle in the corners when his smile deepens. “And you know that bitch isn’t going to call me after I give her the money.”

“Very true,” I admit. “Now she can find the next gullible guy. I did my time.”

“You weren’t gullible. You chose to love her and trust blindly. She just took advantage. You never wrote over obscene amounts of money or gave up family possessions like some of these dopes.”

I nod because it’s true. I was generous, but I didn’t give money blindly. “No, but I was swindled out of things that cannot be returned; love and time.”

He stares at the door of his office for a beat as if digesting what I said. “Yeah, River is going to give you that tenfold.”

“Yeah. Also, true. There’s just something about when it’s right.” I pat his shoulder when he gets that faraway look again. “Thanks for the update. I’ll leave you to it.”

I get out of his hair while he ponders whatever is on his mind. When he’s ready to discuss, he’ll discuss it. Until then, I’ll hold off on ribbing him. I know Delaney just sees him as a crime boss being a crime boss, but what she doesn’t get is why he’d do it. He didn’t fight Howard for shits and giggles. Andrea was jealous. He may not want to admit it to himself, nor will he attempt to admit it to her this early into their relationship, but what he did had nothing to do with him being blindly territorial. It’s not how he operates.

Interestingis the best word I have for my brother’s new marriage.

Right now, I have a few things to grab for River’s cravings. I had the penthouse remodeled because I don’t want to give her any bad memories, and plan to move us there until the baby comes so I won’t be far from her even when I have to work. The house is twenty minutes away from the club, which isn’t a big deal otherwise. I prefer to have a much quicker response time.

I’m still not comfortable being away from her since she was taken. While I’ve relaxed some, it’s not enough time for me to relax completely.

When I return home, I hear music playing and smell some food she either made or ordered. It’s a toss-up these days.

“Bam! Uno out, bitches,” I hear my overly competitive wife yell.

A few manly chuckles precede a jumble of shit-talking. I make it into the game room in enough time to see River shoot her middle fingers at the guys. Her hair is in a messy bun, and she’s stretched the hell out of my t-shirt, but she’s never looked more beautiful.

I pull her into a hug and kiss her forehead as I feel our son moving in her belly. We’re getting close, and I’m beyond excited.

“Game night,” I ask as I grab a slice of pizza.

“Well,” she huffs. “If you are going to have five guys watch me while you’re at the store, I may as well make them useful.”

Another round of laughter erupts while the guys start to gather their things. I polish off the slice of pizza, hungrier than I thought, but I still send all but one box with them back to Andrea’s house. He’s been training them like crazy since The Reaper was able to get through without even a scratch.

“I have some games we can play,” I whisper while she waves goodbye to the guys.

River rubs her big belly as she looks up at me. “That’s how I got pregnant, Mr. Kelly.”

Chapter Forty

RIVER

I have somuch energy today and I don’t know why. Although the nursery is done, I keep finding things to rearrange or update. The moment we relocated to the penthouse, I got into nursery design mode. After a breath, I step back and look at the teddy bear theme. I am proud of both nurseries and how they each have a piece of my husband in them.

Teddy went down to the club a few hours ago to check in since he’s been mainly MIA since our wedding. I feel us settling into a groove, and I’m happy to be on the other side of all the drama. Knowing that it led me to marrying the love of my life, I can’t find any regret in it.

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