Page 46 of Always Yours

Each of my brothers congratulate me, and I accept their hugs, but I’m ready to get out of here. I want to hold my wife and my daughter.

Chapter25

Ally

Iappreciate what Elle and Huddy are trying to do. They’ve kept me occupied and done their best to keep my mind off things, but all I can think about is Austin. I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if he came home and said he was done and that I’m more trouble than I’m worth. But even thinking it, I know it won’t happen.

Finally, around three hours after Austin left, I hear him coming in through the garage door. I’m out of my seat and run toward him without even thinking. Kennedy is safe in Elle’s arms, freeing me to act on impulse.

As soon as he clears the doorway, I dive for him. He catches me easily, pulling me up in his arms. “Hey, hey, I’m okay. Everything’s okay.”

I breathe out a sigh of relief. “I’m just so glad you’re home. I’ve been so worried.”

He picks me up and carries me over to the recliner. He sits down, cradling me in his lap. I should be embarrassed, but I’m not in the least. If anything, I curl into him and relish the feel of his arms around me.

Austin looks around at his brother and sister-in-law and back at me. “He signed the papers. We won’t ever have to see him again.”

“But what about—?”

He cuts me off. “No, there are no buts. He has signed over all his rights. He can never have any claim on Kennedy. The attorney included you. He can’t talk to you, either.”

I lay my head on his chest. Elle, Huddy, and Austin all talk around me, but I tune it all out. All that matters to me is that Kennedy is mine, and Gregory can never take her from me.

Elle walks over to me and places Kennedy on my chest. I thank her and Huddy, and they leave after telling us to call if we need anything.

“Tell me the truth, Austin. You asked him to sign the papers and he just signed them? It was that easy?”

“I gave him money.”

I lift my head up. “Wait, what? You gave him money?”

He nods his head. “Ally, he wasn’t walking out of there without signing those papers.”

“How much money did you have to give him?”

He brushes my hair off my face. “It doesn’t matter.”

I sit up in his arms, holding a sleeping Kennedy against my chest. “Yes, it does. How much?”

“Two hundred and fifty thousand.”

My mouth gapes, and I mouth the words.Two hundred and fifty thousand. I tap his chest with my free hand. “Austin, I’m so sorry. I can’t—”

He leans forward and presses his lips to my forehead. “If you’re about to say something about paying me back, you’d better keep it to yourself. I told you that I would protect you and Kennedy, and I meant it.”

Speechless, I don't know what to say or do. A thousand thoughts race through my head, but I don’t put voice to any of them.

Austin runs his fingers softly against Kennedy’s cheek. “Can you lay her down? I think we need to talk.”

I suck in a sob, having an idea of what this is about. It’s like my thoughts are becoming reality, and he’s going to tell me that this is too much for him. I struggle from his lap and carry Kennedy over to the bassinet by the couch. I lean over, breathing in her sweet, innocent scent before moving back over to the couch and sitting down on the edge of it. “What do you want to talk about?”

Austin is pacing back and forth in front of me, and the more he does it, the more nervous I get. “Austin, stop. What is it? You’re scaring me.”

He stops in front of me and looks at me before sitting down next to me. He brushes his hand through my hair. “You’re so damn beautiful, Ally.”

I smile and laugh. “Okay, that doesn’t sound so bad.”

I put my hand on his forearm and feel the swell of his muscles from my touch. He covers my hand with his own and squeezes. “Like I said, I need to tell you something.”

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