Redemption(92)

I inhaled a deep, euphoric breath. I now had a ready-made family and it filled me with a new sense of hope. I was even glad Tyler had moved abroad because it made leaving my past behind a lot easier. I had spoken to Humphrey this morning and told him of my plans. He called me pussy-whipped, but then said he was happy for me. I knew I had to go home at some point as there was so much to sort out, but I was reluctant to leave Tyler now that I had found her. I wanted to ask her to come with me, but I didn’t know how she would feel about that.

Just as I was mulling it over in my head, I heard her car pull into the garage and Jeremy’s squealing, happy voice. He was such a happy child and it was infectious. Proud didn’t even begin to explain how I felt about them both.

“We got a new fence, Mommy!” he shouted when he came through the door.

Tyler looked up at me and I smiled. “Yes, it looks like we have.” She frowned. “What was wrong with the last one?”

Did she even need to ask? “It wasn’t safe, Tyler, and you know how I feel about—”

“I get it. I get it.” She waved her hand on front of me. “Precious cargo, right?” She smiled at me and, by fuck, it made me want her right then.

I gave her a cheeky smile. “That’s right.”

Jeremy ran up to me with his arms out and I got myself ready to catch him. “D.D!” he screamed and it made my heart melt. We had only been away from each other for a few hours, so knowing he was pleased to see me made my heart swell.

Jeremy wrapped his legs around my waist and I nuzzled into his neck, making him giggle. I kissed his head, then looked at Tyler. She had tears in her eyes. All I wanted to do was rush to her, but I knew it would only make things worse.

Turning to Jeremy, I smiled. “So, how’s your day been, grown-up?”

Jeremy played with the gold chain around my neck. “It was good. We went to the hospital and read to Katie. Then Evan showed up to say hi. Afterwards, we went to get ice cream, and a man named Charlie gave Mommy a card.”

My whole body went rigid as I looked at Tyler. She looked embarrassed and bit her lip. All I felt was pure and utter rage that the stupid khaki fuck had spoken to my Tyler. I didn’t want him anywhere near her now, let alone speak with her. And who the fuck was this Charlie chump?

“So… You saw Evan?”

Tyler could sense the undertone of my words. She knew I was pissed. She bit her lip for a moment. “Yes, I was reading and he came up to say hi.”

Jeremy yanked on my chain a little. “Katie says he still loves her.”

Tyler sighed. “Jeremy, please, that’s not helping.”

I, on the other hand, had other thoughts. “Jeremy, you can tell me anything.”

“He was visiting a little boy named Bobby. He’s having his heart cut out. Eww.” He shuddered beneath me, but I held him tight.

I suddenly felt sick. I hated Evan with a vengeance because he wanted what was mine, but I couldn’t hate him because, at the end of the day, he saved lives. It was such a fucking twisted feeling with which to be dealing.

“And what about this Charlie chump… I mean, the man with the card?”

Tyler sighed. “It was nothing. Jeremy and I sat down to eat ice cream and this guy was sitting at the other table. He noticed our mother and son talk and thought it was nice. After a while of talking—”

I put my hand up to interrupt her. “Excuse me. After a while of talking?” Why did I have this sudden urge to go to that mall, find the fucker, and rip his heart out? Maybe then, khaki guy would be so busy sewing it back together that he would have no fucking time to try to steal my girl.

Tyler sighed again just as Jeremy decided to wriggle from my grip. I let him down and he ran towards the stairs.

“Where are you going, Jeremy?” Tyler looked a little frightened all of a sudden.

“I’m going to play with my action man.” He ran up and out of sight.

“Not for long, though, Jeremy. We’ll go for a dip in the pool in a bit!”

He shouted “Okay!” Then he slammed his door.

Tyler jumped and looked back at me just as Jimmy came into the room. He was about to say something when I put my hand up. “Not now, Jimmy.”

He shrugged, looked at Tyler with a smile, and walked away. I took the opportunity and closed the distance between us. Pretty soon, Tyler was backed up against the living room wall. Petty jealously. That was all it was. I had this sudden urge to mark her as much as possible to let the world know she was mine and no one else’s.

“You were saying?” I trailed a finger down the side of her face, making her tremble. I knew Tyler would never betray me, but it still didn’t dampen down the rage I had knowing that other men wanted her, craved her, longed to be inside of her. It drove me wild. It was something I felt ever since I was a kid and it had never disappeared.