Page 30 of Vengeful Reign

“Come on. Help me so I can get out of here.” It takes a little longer, but Jack doesn’t complain again. When I do come to get them, Jack’s reading him a story that John’s totally not paying attention to and riding a toy car over the pages. However, the second Jack stops the story, John grunts and puts his hand back on the page to read. So, I guess he’s sort of paying some attention.

“Look, John. It’s time to go,” he says, closing the book.

“No, no,” he shouts. Rebecca and I give each other a knowing look after having years of experience in this.

“Five more minutes,” I call out. Jack looks at me, and I nod. He smiles, opens the book again, and continues with his story.

“So, he’s making you leave with him for John? Ha. Looks like he wants much more than that. You’re a lucky girl. He’s so damn yummy, and I totally have some daddy issues to resolve.”

“Get your own daddy. He’s spoken for,” I hiss.

A moment later, I feel Jack slide his hands around my waist. “Do you have what you need?”

“Yes,” I gasp, pulling away from him. “We should get him ready to go. He doesn’t have shoes on.” I walk over and look for the missing shoes while Jack springs John onto his lap. “It’s time to go.”

“Go, go.”

“Wow, I’ve heard him use a handful of words today. It’s a miracle.”

“It takes a lot to get them out. He only started using them this past month, so if you’d gotten here any sooner, you wouldn’t have seen much of a change.”

“He doesn’t make any eye contact when you call his name.”

“It may come in time.”

“Let me help you carry these things,” Rebecca offers. John is in Jack’s arms while I gather my paperwork. As we step outside, he loads the truck, and I see that my car is gone. “Where’s my vehicle?”

“I’m driving you back. Your car has been taken to the house.” I give Rebecca a hug goodbye while Jack straps John in. He does it easily, and then I remember that he’s probably done itmany times before. He gives John a teddy bear and then he helps me into my seat before buckling me in.

“Sit your pretty butt down. Next time I tell you to stay put, you do it.”

I roll my eyes, pretending not to be aroused by him. The man makes my core temp rise effortlessly, even when he’s being an insufferable prick. I wave to Rebecca as we drive away. I’m going to miss my friend and job, and find tears welling up in my eyes.

“Relax, Nora. We can come back, or you can invite her to Chicago. I’m sure she’d enjoy it. There are plenty of daddies I can introduce her to,” he says, giving me a wink.

“You heard?”

“She wasn’t quiet, but I did miss your response.”

“It was nothing.”

“You’re a bad liar. You shut her up, so it must have been something of value.”

“You are so…” I roll my eyes and ignore him, looking out the window, refusing to give him what he wants. He’s already gotten enough wins today.

“That’s fine.” We hit up a drive-thru and pick up dinner before going back to the house. When I get there, the men are in the house with five new suitcases. “Oh my. Those are large.”

“I wanted to make sure you could fit enough of his things and yours. We can get more another time, but for now, I need you to eat and then we can pack a bit.” We both take turns feeding John while eating our burgers and fries. John will only eat the fries and a chicken strip. He doesn’t eat much, but I make sure he gets his chewable vitamins as well. He’s growing just right despite his food choices.

It takes two hours to pack up my clothes and my important documents. Then, I go into John’s room to find Jack has packed most of John’s clothes.

“Do you want to take all his toys?”

“All of them?”

“Well, does he play with them?”

“No. There’s an entire bin I was going to donate. That’s why he tossed them out and doesn’t like them mixed up.” Jack huffs out a deep sigh. “Don’t worry. I’ll sort them and then we’ll pack all his favorites.”

---