Hard as Stone(103)

“Tanner,” Harmony whispered, her voice sounding strangled to her own ears. “What are you doing here?” she asked softly, keeping one eye on her curious child as he took a step toward them. “You can’t be here.”

“Momma, who dat?” Heaven repeated, her eyes narrowing on the man in front of them. “He have a gun. Guns are bad,” she whispered, reaching a hand toward her mother.

“Heaven, baby, stay where you are,” Harmony ordered her child calmly even though her heart threatened to erupt from her throat. This could not be happening. It was like she was trapped in a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from with the worst bogeyman ever. And her little girl was trapped between Tanner and the door. “This is a man that Momma used to know. That’s all, baby. Keep coloring.”

“So, you lie to our child?” Tanner snorted, his eyes glittering with anger. “She doesn’t even know who I am, does she? Of course, she does not. You think that stupid piece of paper I signed could really keep me from knowing my kid? I’ve had someone watching you for years, mujer. There’s nothing you’ve done that I don’t know. From your stupid little diner to that new business you’ve opened, I know it all. Especially about la nina bonita de mi esposa.”

“Tanner, don’t do this,” Harmony begged, her eyes darting around, looking for something, anything she could use as a weapon to protect her baby. “Whatever you’re here for, she’s innocent. If you’re angry, I’m the one you should target. Let me send Heaven out of here. She doesn’t need to hear this.”

“Momma?” Heaven whimpered.

“Shut the brat up, Harmony,” Tanner growled, glaring at Heaven. “She brings somebody in here and I won’t be happy. You remember what happens when I’m unhappy, don’t you?” he whispered sinisterly, lifting the gun to run the tip over her cheek.

“Heaven, be quiet,” Harmony instructed her daughter with a shaking voice, keeping her eyes glued to Tanner. He was almost vibrating with rage, and she knew from experience, his venom could spew at them at any moment.

“Tell her who I am,” Tanner demanded, narrowing his eyes on Harmony’s face.

“No,” Harmony denied, shaking her head vehemently as she glared at the man who’d done his best to ruin her life and kill her. The only decent thing he’d ever done in his life was contribute a few strands of DNA so that she could have Heaven, and the bastard had done that accidently. He’d always been a lazy bastard; he’d just proven it when he refused to shrink wrap his dick before he stuck it inside her.

“You don’t; I will,” he threatened with a cruel smile. “You know what? I think it would be better coming from me anyway.” Looking at a confused Heaven, he bent slightly toward the child, keeping the tip of his gun aimed at Harmony. “Yo soy tu papa, bambina. Es mi hija.”

“Huh?” Heaven grunted, cocking her head as she stared at the man. “Momma, what he say?” she asked, her face perplexed as she stared at Harmony.

Harmony shot her daughter a reassuring smile. Heaven had always been an intuitive child; she knew her little girl sensed danger – especially with Tanner waving his gun around at them. “Shhh… baby. Everything is going to be okay. Concentrate on your coloring, alright?” Focusing her attention on Tanner, Harmony pleaded, “Don’t do this, Tanner. She’s just a little girl. She’s got no idea what happened between us. She doesn’t even know you.”

“Whose fault is that? You think I don’t know that little girls need their papas,” Tanner spat. “But you tried to rob me of that, didn’t you, bitch?”

“Don’t call my mommy names!” Heaven yelled, slapping her tiny hands against her coloring book in a fit of anger. “You’re a big ole meanie weanie! Swears are curses and God hates curses.”

“God also hates thieves, and that’s what tu madre is. A thief and a liar. I am your father, you little brat,” Tanner hissed, staring at his daughter with gleaming eyes. “Your puta of a mama stole you from me. Show me some fucking respect!”

“No, I’m not!” Heaven argued, her hair flying as she shook her head, “I don’t got no daddy! The angels bringed me to Momma from Heaven! ‘Sides, I already picked my Daddy out, and he not gonna be you,” she yelled, jabbing her finger toward Tanner. “He gonna be Mr. Jake! I think you is a bully. A big bully.”

“Heaven, hush, baby!” Harmony begged, her eyes watering as Tanner grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked her head back until she met his furious black eyes.