“He likes you too. Let’s get you some clothes, and when we get to the clubhouse, I’ll show you some of his commands.”
“I’d like that.” He stood from his seat and looked at me before turning to Stella. “Thank you, Ms. Stella. I’m glad you’re here and that my dad is happy.”
Without another word, he turned and walked to Anna. She stopped dancing and followed him down the hallway to their bedrooms. I waited for them to be out of earshot before I turned to Stella.
“What’s going on, Colton?” she asked, and I stood from the chair, wanting to punch a hole in the wall.
Lowering my voice, I explained, “He thought he saw Araneta near the playground today. When I pressed him, he tried to say he was mistaken, but from the look in his eyes, she was there.”
“Why? I thought she disappeared a year ago.”
“She did, and I need to call their grandma to see if she’s heard from her,” I said.
Stella stood from her chair and walked to me, wrapping her arms around my waist. Her touch calmed the rage inside me, and when she looked up at me, I could see determination in her gaze.
“We won’t let her get to them. She doesn’t get to hurt those precious children ever again.”
I kissed her softly and exhaled some of the worry. Knowing Stella was a deadly woman when backed into a corner, I knew she would protect my children like they were her own. A fleeting thought crossed my mind, and as hard as I tried, I couldn’t get the image of her pregnant with our child out of my head.
“Can you help them get their bags packed? Matthew knows what they both need. I have to call Doris and let Gunner know to have a prospect posted here this weekend,” I explained, and she kissed me again before releasing me and walking down the hallway.
“Do you have everything?” I heard her ask Anna as she walked into her bedroom, and I opened the back door to step outside.
I dialed Doris’s number and paced back and forth as I waited for her to answer. The anger I was feeling wasn’t foreign to me, but it had been years since I’d had so much rage inside me. If that fucking cunt thought she could come back and disrupt my kids’ lives, causing more pain and heartache, I would bury her up to her neck and run over her with my bike.
“Hey. Are you bringing the kids over?” Doris asked when she answered.
“We may have a problem, so they’ll be staying with me this weekend,” I answered. “Have you heard from Araneta?”
“No, not since she left last year. Why?” Doris inquired, so I filled her in on what Matthew said he saw. “Do you think it was her?” she asked when I finished relaying the story.
“I’m not sure, but if she comes around the kids, she’s in for a world of pain. I know she’s your daughter, Doris, but after the bullshit she pulled last year, she has no right to come around for anything.”
“I agree, and if she shows up here, I’ll send her away. I don’t want her around me or the kids. She’s trouble, Colton, and if she’s popping her head back up after all this time, it can’t be good.”
“I know. That’s why I wanted to speak with you. I’m going to stay at the compound this weekend with Matthew and Anna, and if you hear from her, I want you to call me immediately.”
“Absolutely.” She paused before asking, “You’re not going to keep them from me, are you?”
“You’re a good grandma to the kids, and I want you to be an active member of their lives. But if, for any reason, I think you’re in communication with her and don’t tell me, I promise that will be the last time you see them. Are we clear, Doris?”
“Perfectly clear. I promise that I’m on your side in all of this. She’s been trouble since the moment she was born, and I can’t imagine any mother walking out on their kids. You have my word that I’ll do everything in my power to protect Matthew and Anna.”
“Thank you, Doris. I’ve got to get the kids packed for the weekend, but I’d like to still have breakfast on Sunday. How about we meet at the diner around nine? There’s someone I want you to meet,” I said.
“I’d like that,” Doris replied. “I’m happy you’re dating again. You deserve to be happy.”
“I am. Thanks, Doris.”
I hung up the phone when I saw Matthew, Anna, and Stella through the glass door. Walking back inside, I tried to act happy as I asked, “Do you have everything you need?”
“Yes, sir,” Matthew answered and looked up at Stella. “Ms. Stella helped us get everything packed.”
“Then let’s get moving,” I suggested and watched as they walked to the front door.
Stella looked at me, and I shook my head, silently telling her we would speak later. She nodded before taking my hand into hers. We followed the kids to the car, and after securing everyone inside, I hightailed it back to the compound. It was the only place I knew the kids could be completely safe without me feeling like Araneta was going to pop her head out from behind a corner.
Stella kept hold of my hand, rubbing her thumb across the back as we drove. Just having her with me calmed the rabid beast inside me and seeing how happy the kids seemed to be when she was around meant more than words ever could.
