Page 90 of Defect
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EZRA
I carried a sleeping Malachi into the house after midnight and laid him upstairs in the guest bedroom. Once he was down, I lugged the new bed frame from the porch into the house so I could put it together for Solana. She was still moving a little slow and I hated seeing her so down.
Even sunflowers wilt sometimes though.
It took me hours to get the board on the window and finish cleaning up all the broken things littering the floor of the studio. I didn’t want Solo doing a damn thing though. She’d been through too much and I needed to work past my anger because everything inside me was telling me to find Vince and put an end to his life.
I’d kill for Solana.
The thought hit me hard and fast.
I’d kill for her without a single regret.
I unpacked the bed frame while she was in the guest room taking the dirty clothes off Malachi and sliding new, clean ones on him. She told me she didn’t want to wake him to put him in the shower because that was probably the best sleep he’s had in weeks.
I was nearly done with the new frame when Solana came into the room with tears in her eyes. I stopped everything and motioned for her to come over to me. I was sitting in the middle of the bedroom floor inside of a metal square that would be the frame for the bed. She stepped inside and settled between my legs.
She was so perfect right there.
My missing puzzle piece.
“He has bruises all over his torso. I know Amaris has been making reports but why the fuck hasn’t CPS done anything? Why are they still investigating?”
“They’re failing the fuck out of him,” I said.
“I have to step in. I know Amaris wants me to wait but I can’t. Not after this. Vince doesn’t want his son he just isn’t allowed to terminate his rights voluntarily. Not in California.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“I know. I told him if I petitioned the court for custody and Malachi wanted to go with me, the court would probably terminate his rights based on the open child welfare case but he doesn’t want me to go through the court.”
“So the fuck what? Who cares what he wants if it will get Malachi the hell away from him?” I just met the little boy but I could see he was something special and I hated hearing about or seeing kids get abused.
“That’s where I’m at with it right now,” she said, wiping her face. “Shit, I need to call Amaris.”
“Call her while I finish the bed. I’m almost done.” Solana nodded then stood to her feet. She was on her way out the door when she paused and looked back at me. Her dark hair swung across her back fluidly.
“Ezra, how was your test today? I never even asked. I am so sorry.”
“You had a ton of shit going on today. I’m not holding it against you, Solo.” She walked back into the room and looked at me. Her hand was fixed to her slender hip and her exotic eyes were narrowed. I laughed a little and said, “I passed.” She squealed happily and launched into my arms. I wasn’t complaining. I loved when she was in my arms.
“I’m so sorry we can’t celebrate and do it big. You deserve that and so much more, Ezra. You worked hard for this.”
“I have an idea for how we can celebrate,” I smirked.
“Oh my god. You’re a pervert.”
“Let me know when you’re up for it.”
“Up forwhat, exactly?” She asked, lifting her eyebrow.
“Letting me eat your ass like a cupcake.” I licked my lips and ran my hand over my chin. Stubble quickly turned into a light beard but as long as Solo liked it, I loved it.
She bit her bottom lip and giggled. “Wow, you’re…” She shook her head never finishing her sentence.
“Let me know,” I told her again. I’d put my mouth anywhere on her. She was a fucking goddess and she had my entire heart. I never knew any type of feeling like the one Solana gave me. I didn’t know what forever held but as long as I knew she was attached to it, I didn’t care.
