Page 26 of Vengeful Reign

“Er. Er,” John says.

“Fuck, I’ll take it,” Connor sobs. “I’ll take it. Damn what did she do to him?”

My chest fills with pride for my future wife. “She’s actually a special needs teacher.”

“What?”

“I know, and she’s fucking beautiful.”

“Whoa, Jack. What’s going on there? Are you telling me something?”

“I’m telling you I’d like to fuck her, and she’d be great to keep around to care for Jack. It’s about time I took a wife, so she’s perfect.”

“At least it’s better than the arranged marriage Father tried to set you up with all those years ago with the Fieri family.”

“I’m glad I didn’t accept that damn arranged marriage with the Fieri family all those years ago.” I wouldn’t have the woman I really want, and John wouldn’t have the mother he truly needs.

“Um…is something wrong in here?” I turned around to see Nora standing in the doorway with her arms crossed.

“Oh, he just woke up. I didn’t want to rush him.”

“No problem. You want bites, John? Let’s eat so we can change your clothes for the day and play.” She makes some hand gestures and takes his hand into the kitchen, while I feel like a complete asshole.

“She just used some sort of sign language with John, and he did it with her.”

“I can’t believe it. This is a fucking miracle. When are you flying back?”

“Tomorrow morning. I’m not wasting any more time; John belongs in his family home, and I have a wedding to plan while I find out who really put together this kidnapping. I know it wasn’t just the nanny, and I have a hunch the pretty little teacher doesn’t know who is involved.”

“Give me her name, and I’ll run her info.”

“Don’t worry, I already have people on it. Just get John’s room ready at my home and prepare a room for my fiancée. As much as I want her in my bed, I won’t push it just yet.”

“Acting like a gentleman…that sounds…well, just like you.”

“I’ll talk to you later, Con. There’s still a lot of shit to get together before we can leave.”

“Okay. Bring him back safe, Bro.” I end the call and tuck away my phone. Now to go check on them. When I step into the living room, I’m shocked by how destroyed it is. How the fuck did that happen?

“Sorry, Boss. He kind of threw a fit and tossed the bin over.”

“You messed up his chaos,” Nora says with a soft laugh of surrender. She’s already resigned herself to his behavior and mess.

“So, he didn’t want pancakes, I guess.”

“He did. He took a bite and then took off for a moment. We’re working on sitting at the table and eating, but he runs off and gets distracted. It’s one step at a time. One thing to learn is to pick your battles.” I nod, because she’s right. There was so much yelling or just plain ignoring John when he wouldn’t do what my father wanted.

“So how do you get through the day?”

“It’s not easy, but we have a schedule, and he knows it, so it has become a little easier. The weekends become a little messier, but that’s okay. At least I get a little break. He’s without a routine, and I don’t have to be on twenty-four hours.”

“You needed help.”

“It’s not like I had much of a choice. The first time I took him out in public, besides to school, and your people spotted me. Wow, that came out totally wrong. I wasn’t intentionally hiding him. Well, I was, but not because I was being cruel.”

“I understand. If there’s anything I can say about how he’s been treated, he’s been well taken care of.”

“Thank you.” She smiles lightly, a blush spreading over the apple of her cheeks. I wish we were alone; then I’d take her into my arms and test how far that blush spreads.

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