"Get away from my daughter before I rip you limb from fucking limb, you disgusting maggot."
"Watch your mouth, bitch," the man barked.
"Try me, asshole," she growled, balling up her fist. Due to her height and frame, she'd taken her fair share of self-defense courses. Blocking Jocelyn from his view, she stared him down, waiting for him to make his move.
"You best back the fuck up," said a masculine voice full of the promise of violence.
She turned and saw Enzo stalking up in jeans, and a T-shirt that showed off his bulging arms. She breathed a sigh of relief. The man held up his hands.
"Why don't you keep an eye on your kid, bitch? I was just trying to help."
Her jaw ticked.
"I'm going to give you to the count of three to disappear. One, two-"
The man bolted, and Es's stomach soured. What if I had been a few minutes later? Turning, she grabbed Jocelyn's arm.
"Do you have any idea what could've happened to you? If you were my daughter, I would tan your ass right now."
"But you're not. You're nothing," Jocelyn snapped.
The words were a slap to the face. Es literally took a step back.
"You're out of line, little girl," Enzo said.
Jocelyn crossed her arms and looked down at the floor.
"Thank you so much for coming, En. I'll take her from here. I know we need to tell Snake, but I want to wait until he gets back, and let her tell him."
She looked up. The fear in Joc's eyes made Es sure she'd chosen the right action.
"Hey, I'm good with not being the one who brings this to him. You need anything else, call, okay? I want to see you both home to make sure psycho doesn't try to follow you."
She nodded, unable to speak for fear that she'd let something nasty slip out. She escorted Joc to the car like a prisoner and watched as she got in and buckled up. She called Jolene once she got into the car.
"Please tell me you found her," Jolene begged.
"We did, thank God."
"Okay. Jesus. What was she thinking?"
"I'm not sure she was," Es said.
"You need me?"
"No, but I'll be looking forward to tomorrow even more." She wondered once again if her presence was a hindrance to the bonding process Jocelyn needed with her father. Suddenly she missed her one bedroom and the solitude it offered. Pulling into the driveway, she honked at Enzo who'd pulled up behind them. Silence reigned as they walked to the front door and she opened the door, allowing Jocelyn to enter in front of her.
Enzo beeped and pulled out of the driveway with a wave. She felt completely divided. In so many ways she'd found her place to belong. In others, she felt like the odd man out. There was no way in hell Joc would've pulled this if her father had been home. What am I doing wrong? Does she think I'm trying to be her mother? She locked the doors, armed the alarm, and came into the kitchen to find Jocelyn seated at the kitchen island.
"Aren't you going to call my father and tell him what I did?"
"No, I was serious when I said you were going to do that. But if you call him before he gets back and mention this I will spank your ass, whether it's my right or not. He needs his wits about him when he's out there on the road working. It's dangerous otherwise."
Jocelyn's eyes widened.
"There are so many things you didn't consider when you pulled this stunt tonight. You could've been killed! Your father just got you back, what do you think that would do to him, or me? I'm the one responsible for you right now. You've completely broken my trust. I won't believe a word out of your mouth for a long time. All for what? Where did you think you were going?"
"Home."
"This is your home now. Your name is Jocelyn Kolton. Nothing you do will change that until you're eighteen. I know this isn't easy. But there are so many people here to help you through it." Es shook her head. "You're going to eat dinner and go directly to your room. I'll be removing all the art supplies while you do that. The alarm is on and armed. I'll know the minute you try to leave."
"I won't do that again," Jocelyn whined.
"No you won't on my watch," Es agreed.
The girl look shocked. She almost felt bad for her. She'd been overindulged in her last life. It was time for a lesson in humility and realism.
"I'm sorry," Joc mumbled.
"Show me, don't tell me," Es said, not about to ease up after the years she'd taken off her life. Her father is going to murder me.
§
Snake
There was something in his old lady's voice that nagged him his entire trip. It pushed him to make the ride back on minimal amount of sleep. It was sheer will that had him pulling up in front of his house just after noon. Everything looked good from the outside, but his gut told him otherwise. The front door opened, and he was struck by the exhaustion visible in Es's face. He hurried up the walkway and took her into his arms, lifting her off the floor. She buried her face in his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist.
"What's wrong, sweet girl?"
"I missed you so much."
"I missed you, too," he murmured, kissing her temple, thinking about the velvet box in his cut. It's time.
He rubbed her back, inhaling her sweet scent. "How's Joc?"
"She's waiting for you inside. I think I'm going to spend some time in the garden for a bit."
He pulled back. "She have a hard time?"
"You could say that," Es replied elusively.
Snake frowned.
"It's her story to tell, not mine."
"All right," he said as she lowered her feet to the ground and all but ran for the back door. He stepped inside the house, and dropped his saddle bags gently by the front door. Jocelyn sat on the edge of the couch with puppy dog eyes. I'm not going to like whatever she has to say.
"Es said you had some problems while I was away," he said, running his hand through his windblown hair. All he wanted right now was a long, hot bath, food in his belly, and the feel of his woman pressed against him.
"I did something really stupid," she whispered.
He arched an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound like you."
"Yeah." She nibbled her bottom lip.
"Come on, out with it, girl. Stalling won't change the facts."
"I ran away."
"I'm sorry, what did you say? For a minute there I thought my daughter just said she ran away."
"I did," she mumbled.
"What the fuck were you thinking?" he roared.
She flinched. The gesture pained him, but he refused to soften.
"I don't know."
"Jesus Christ, do you know what could've happened to you? There are so many sick fucks out there-" He bit his jaw hard enough to taste the metallic flavor of blood.
"I know, that's what Es said." She burst into tears. "I hurt her so bad. I just … I was so mad about moving here, leaving everything, and then you left." She hiccupped.
Her words were a flaming red flag. "What did you do?"
"I told her she wasn't my mother."
He closed his eyes and went onto one knee in front of her. "But I want her to be. She loves you like one. You're lashing out at the wrong person, baby. Without her, we'd be screwed, plain and simple. She's a common wealth of knowledge and constantly helping us through this." He shook his head. There was no choosing between her or Estelle Noll. They were both his.
She sobbed harder, and he knew her guilt would be worse than any punishment he could think you.
"Do you like Es?"
"Yes," she wailed.
"Then why?"
"I don't know."
He sighed. "That's not a good enough answer, little girl. You're too old for me to accept that without punishing you properly. But first you are going to apologize to Estelle and mean it. I plan on putting a ring on her finger, and making us an official family, which means she will be your mother, if we're both lucky. Then you're going to be grounded for the next month. That means no television, no outings, and you're going to do some volunteer work. You have no clue how good you've had it. I think seeing the other side of things will bring clarity."
"Yes, sir."
"I'm disappointed in you right now, but I don't love you any less, you understand?" he asked, careful to drive the point home. The Miles had been hung up on the right behavior. He wouldn't have her feeling that way here. Kids messed up and you steered them back to where they should be. It's how it went.
"Yes, sir."
"Can I get a hug?"
She launched herself into his arms, surprising him. He stroked her hair, grateful for the break through. "I want you to go upstairs to your room until it's time for lunch, okay?"
She nodded.
He kissed the crown of her head. "Love you, little one. Now get."
He released her small frame and watched her make her way up the stairs. Finally, he had his baby back in his life where she belonged. Now to take care of my other girl. How her words must have cut. He forced his aching body to rise and sought out Es.