Sweet Pain (Amatucci Family #3) - Sadie Jacks Page 0,135
only plan. And my absolute favorite: “Ms. Chase, are you going to run for public office?”
Willow jolted. “Thank you for inquiring. Fuck no.”
Everyone laughed.
“You’re here with Mr. Penn. Is he the new man in your life?” another shouted.
Willow stepped from the shelter of my body, held up her left hand. “He’s mine for life.”
Fuck yes, I was.
Chapter 42 – Willow
Two days later
I hugged Daphne. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay any longer? I know Corrie would like you to,” I said with an eyebrow wiggle.
Daphne laughed. “That girl would sit at Massimo’s feet for the rest of their natural lives. No, we’re leaving. She has to get back to school on Monday, just like the normal girl she’s trying to be.”
I smiled. “Well, tell her I tried.”
Daphne smiled. “I’ll do that.” She looked around the two-story foyer of our new home. “You know, I never really thought about Ryker living anywhere other than in the Towers.” She turned back to me. “But this suits him. Suits both of you.”
I smiled. “And I can’t thank you enough for wrangling the team of movers. That was a huge blessing that I’ll never be able to repay you for.”
Her smile went soft. “You give him the love, support, protection, and care that I could never find within myself. If there is someone who can’t repay a blessing, it’s me to you. I hope I’m doing better with Corrie, but I know I failed miserably with Ryker.” She took me into her arms. “Thank you for giving my son everything I couldn’t. For giving him back to me.”
I hugged her. She had failed her son, in so very many ways. But she simply hadn’t had the tools at that point in her life to do any better. So many experienced a life for which they are ill-equipped. It is the lucky few who have the easier lives of matched tools and experience.
“You’re more than welcome here anytime. Give us a call and we’ll set it up,” I told her as she stepped back.
She dipped her head, brushed a hand over her cheek. “I’ll do that. Same to you for our home. We’ll have to get together so you can meet William.”
I smiled. “I’d like that.”
She turned towards the front doors. Ryker and Corrie were whispering like fiends. Mas was standing just inside the foyer near the stairs, his gaze happy.
Corrie jerked back, a look of heated disbelief on her face. “That’s not true!” She whipped her head to the side, her eyes searching for something.
They landed on me. She stomped over. “Ryker says that you shot the woman who was holding me captive.”
I blinked. “Well, I guess it depends on which woman you’re talking about. And word to the wise, Corrie. Never speak of shooting people outside this house. You could get us all in some trouble.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Sorry. Right. Sorry. I’ll remember that, I promise. But that woman in the room. Did you shoot her?”
My smile bloomed. “Yes. Her, I did shoot.”
Her eyes widened as her mouth dropped open. “Cracking shitballs.”
“Corrine Amaryllis! Where did you hear such disgusting language?” Daphne gaped at her daughter.
Corrie looked at me. Pokered up to her mother. “Nowhere. I’m just brilliant.”
I winked at the younger woman. She was Ryker with a vagina. I just hoped she had an easier go of life than he’d had.
Daphne heaved a sigh. “Tell your brother goodbye. We’ve got to get home to Dad.”
Corrie spun around and launched herself at Ryker. He caught her up in his arms, swung her around. I saw him whisper against her hair.
Whatever he said made her smile and nod. “Promise.”
He set her down and helped her get her feet under her. “Then I’ll hold you to it.”
Daphne walked over to her son. She lifted her cheek for him to buss. “Bye, Mom.”
“Goodbye, dear.” She looked at me over her shoulder, a light of fun in her blue eyes. “Start giving me grandbabies, yeah?” She walked out as her son stared after her with his mouth hanging open.
Corrie walked over to Mas, her steps sure and only slightly awkward. “Bye, Angel. See you later.”
Mas smiled, shook his head. “Goodbye, Corinne. Be good.”
As if he’d just professed his love to her, her cheeks heated and her eyes got all twinkly. She floated out of the house, a long sigh drifting in her wake.
Ryker shut the doors behind them. “Sweet fuck, I thought they’d never leave.” He scooped me up into his arms. He settled his lips