Page 61 of War

I close my eyes and try to come to terms with all of this. “It’s fine. We don’t have what you and Aiden have, but these kids are my world. They deserve all the good, and without a wife, the chance of a judge approving Tyler’s adoption of Josie goes down considerably. It’s what’s best for her. I can do anything if I know it’ll help her.”

Hannah roars. She legit throws out her fists and roars at the ceiling. “Fine. You’ll follow his stupid rules. You’ll follow these rules so well he won’t know what hit him.”

“She will?” Lennox’s face scrunches up in confusion.

I feel the same way.

Hannah stares me down, her expression even more crazed. “Yes.” She steps forward and lets out a maniacal laugh. “He’ll never know what hit him.”

TEXT MESSAGES FROM AVA’S AND TYLER’S PHONES

Tyler: You awake?

Tyler: Guess you fell asleep. I’ll be home tomorrow night. Looking forward to seeing you.

Sara: Oh my god, Ave. Wait until you see your husband. I’ve never seen a man more smitten. He practically tripped over himself, rushing to leave for the airport.

Lennox: This didn’t age well.

Sara: What did I miss?

Hannah: He’s a dead man. But you’re not allowed to say anything. Tits before dicks.

Sara: I’ll cut off his dick before I ever choose one over you girls.

Ava: Thanks, Sara.

Lennox: You okay, Ave?

Hannah: Of course she’s okay. She’s Ava Fucking War. She’s going to teach that slimy excuse for a man what happens when you F with one of us.

Sara: Damn. War really did a number on you, huh?

Ava: you have no idea.

Madi: Hi, Tyler. Need any edits done on the adoption petition, or does it look okay?

TWENTY-TWO

AVA

“How’s dinner coming along?”Hannah’s tinny voice bounces off the walls in the kitchen.

I peek into the oven where I’ve dumped the fully prepared roast that was delivered twenty minutes ago into a Dutch oven I found in one of the cabinets. “Looks good.” I don’t cook, and I don’t intend to learn for Tyler’s sake, but I do intend to overcook this meal and teach him that a woman’s place—especially this woman’s place—isnotin the kitchen.

“Your hair?”

I close the oven door and peer at my reflection. “A rat’s nest on top of my head.”

She giggles.

“And the kids?”

“Having pizza with Maria’s family downtown.” I wouldn’t dream of forcing them to endure this awful dinner. Let them have pizza and dessert so they’re loud and sugared up when they get home.

They’ll be back in an hour, which gives me just enough time for what I have planned. Then, once they’re in bed, I’ll spend the rest of the night as far away from Tyler Warren as I can get and do my best to avoid him until he gets back on a plane.

“Good girl,” Hannah hums. “Now remember, tease, tease, tease, but don’t let him near the goods.”

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