There was nothing in this world that was better than this.
“…Cane Beaufort, the lone board member that didn’t face any charges, has come out to say he’s been waiting for years for the corruption to be discovered. The ones responsible for uncovering the deception are Copper Clayborne and Keely Clayborne. Copper was released from prison…”
I stopped listening again, dropping a kiss to Holt’s head.
His sweet, baby scent filled my nostrils, and I closed my eyes as I allowed my exhaustion to take hold.
I needed a nap.
With my feet kicked up, and my computer chair leaned back to the max, that was a distinct possibility.
“…Hi, Cane. Yeah. Copper’s taking a much needed nap.”
I heard the two people talking, but didn’t bother opening my eyes.
Cane had agreed to come on with me at the new company, and it wasn’t a surprise that he was there.
The door shut behind them, the two likely retreating into the bar, and I allowed the nap to take hold.
When I woke next, it was to Baker on her phone, fingers flying over the computer.
“You have to go now, Fermin. This is the biggest job we’ve ever gotten, and they said that we will be their sole transporters. It’s an easy haul, too. Straight I-20. Fort Worth to the Mississippi line. Yeah, thanks.” She paused. “I guess. When?” Another pause. “I’ll talk to Copper. See if that’ll work.”
I blinked my eyes to clear the sleep, then felt the heavy weight on my chest switch from one side of his face pressed to my chest to the other.
Baker sighed, long and loud.
“What’s up?” I rasped.
She jerked her head up, and her face lost the lines of stress.
“I need to talk to my mom,” she muttered. “I’ve been putting it off for weeks. I know it’s taking a toll on everyone, but I just…I’m mad. So mad. I hate that she even put me into that position.”
I nodded. “She shouldn’t have.”
“But if she wouldn’t have put me into that position,” she pushed all the hair off her face, slicking it back behind her. “I wouldn’t have met you.”
I moved, putting my feet to the ground, and cupping Holt’s body with my arm and hand before standing up.
He didn’t move a muscle as I walked to the couch and took a seat.
“It’s not like we can’t be mad about that, and happy about this,” I pointed out. “There are no rules on life.”
She leaned her head against my shoulder, her eyes on her son’s drooling face.
“I might need some help,” she muttered. “I’m not going there by myself.”
I used my free hand to throw it around her shoulders and pull her into me.
She came, burrowing into my body.
“I’ll go anywhere for you,” I said. “Even straight back to that hellhole if it means you’re safe and happy.”
“I wouldn’t be if you were gone.” She poked me in the chest.
I jerked, because fuck that was a ticklish spot, causing Holt to awaken with a start.
And because he was a growing boy, he immediately wanted to be fed.
