Page 100 of Stepson

I flinch. "I was only there to get the money Pearl owed me. Nothing more."

She nibbles on her bottom lip as she looks up at me. "I also ran into that foul man you had to rescue. What's his name? Jeff? And then I also got to meet some of your old pals. Tony's men?"

Now it’s serious. Every muscle in my body tenses up again as I try to reign in my anger. I thought going to prison for seven years would get them off of my back, but that clearly isn't the case. And now they’re coming after Bentley? Nah, that doesn't sit well with me at all.

"They didn't hurt you, did they?" I cup her face, staring deeply into her gaze before my eyes slide over her perfect body, not finding a single mark.

She shakes her head. "No, but they scared me. You owe them money?"

I grind my teeth together. "No, they only think I do. I'll take care of it. They'll never bother you again, Bentley."

Her gaze falls as she slowly nods. There is clearly something else on her mind, and I know exactly what it is. She’s wondering where I stand with her pregnancy, and I need to squash her doubts before they fester into something darker and more damaging.

I grab her chin and force her to look back up at me before I run my thumb along her bottom lip.

“I’m not going anywhere, Bentley. I was shocked, scared, and pissed off earlier, but after thinking it through…” I trail off as I shake my head. “There isn’t anywhere else I’d rather be than here with you. Fatherhood was never on my radar, but I think I can do it for you.”

Her bottom lip trembles. “You’re going to be an amazing father, Gabe. I never want you to doubt yourself in that department. Is it going to be perfect everyday? Hell no, but we’ll get through it together. I was terrified that I’d have to move on without you… again.”

She begins to cry again and it nearly tears my fucking heart out of my chest. I’ll never let Bentley do this alone, and she needs to know that.

“I’ll always be here, babe. We only have each other and I’m going to do whatever it takes to give you and our child the life you both deserve. That’s where I’ve been actually… I got a job. It isn’t anything fancy but—”

“You got a job?” Her eyes slide over my body. “Is that why you’re filthy? Gabe, you know you don’t have to do that, right?”

I snicker. “Of course I do, babe. Money isn’t just lying around, is it? I will do whatever it takes to put a roof over our heads and food on the table. Even if that means shoveling hundreds of pounds of coal for twelve hours a day.”

“I appreciate your effort, Gabe, but you really don’t need to. I, um, met with Kurt today while I was out trying to find you.”

She looks up at me with a grin and my heart races. This is going to be good news, isn't it?

“Marcus had several accounts in my name and a house paid for through my accounts. It’s all mine. It’s all ours. You don’t ever have to work again if you don’t want to.”

Should I pinch myself now or later? This is news I definitely wasn’t expecting, but will gladly accept. If it means I never have to return to that coal factory again, I’ll be fucking thrilled. I’m only one day in and already want to quit. It’s back-breaking work, but I was willing to do it for her.

“The house is somewhere in Northern California, and we’re now worth four and a half million dollars.”

My mouth falls open before I can stop it. We have a house? We have money? Now I’m the one tearing up, and I rarely ever cry. This is the best possible news ever.

“I love you, Bentley,” I finally whisper, unsure what else to say. I’m speechless for the first time since this all began. “Thank you for forgiving me.”

She reaches up and runs her thumb along my bottom lip as well, and I nearly lose it.

“Oh, you’ll suffer the consequences soon enough, but my love for you at the moment is far greater than my anger. You were willing to kill yourself for me, for our baby, and I couldn’t love you more for that. I love you back, Gabe. Now come here so we can kiss and make up.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I reply with a grin as I pull her tightly to my chest and slant my lips over hers, tasting and devouring her.

Chapter fifty-two

Bentley

Icould have been angry with him, shoving him away so he knew he fucked up, but I didn't. To know that he didn't go out to get shit-faced drunk, but instead found a job at the coal factory to support us, makes me fall deeper in love with him. Gabe Price is nothing like his father, and I hope he sees that.

My tongue twirls around his before I lightly bite his bottom lip, dragging it before it pops with my release. His hands dig into my hips, clawing at me as his erection pushes into my stomach.

We stare into each other's eyes for what seems like forever before he brings his hand up and cups my cheek. I love it when he touches me like this, knowing just by his gaze how much he loves me.

He slides his thumb over my bottom lip before his mouth finds mine again. My hands roam over his silky, hard abs until I find his cock, double stroking him with both palms. His moan fills my mouth and ignites the flame in my soul. I stroke him long and hard, making sure to pay attention to the head of his cock before I grope his sack.

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