Legacy (Steel Brothers Saga #14) - Helen Hardt Page 0,32
sure she’s kept drugged. You know as well as I do that she’d find a way out of that place if left to her own devices.”
I nodded. In a warped way, my father was making sense, which was scary as shit. What was scarier was that I could totally see his point—especially where Wendy Madigan was concerned.
She was volatile, and she was skilled with weapons—thanks to me.
I might have to defend my father’s legacy the way he did, but I’d do better for my own children. I’d teach them the way to make a living honorably, without the need for guns.
This fucked-up situation would end with me. I’d bury all my father’s ghosts once he died, and I’d leave a life of peace for my wife and family.
I’d succeed, no matter what I had to do.
Which meant I had to put an end to the Future Lawmakers once and for all.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Daphne
“Excuse me,” Mazie said. “I need to get that.”
I left the family room. I didn’t want to intrude on her phone call.
“Daphne,” she called me back in a few minutes later. “It’s for you, dear. It’s Brad.”
A smile split my face. “Doesn’t he want to talk to you as well?”
“Goodness, he told me that he and his father are fine and then asked for you.” She smiled. “Makes perfect sense to me.”
I took the receiver from her, and then she walked out of the room.
“Hello.”
“Hi, baby.”
“I miss you.”
“I miss you too. Is Mom treating you and your mom okay?”
“Of course. She’s great. She’s already put together an amazing little wedding for us.”
“That’s Mom, all right.”
“I think she’s really happy about all this, Brad. I know our timing kind of sucks, but it seems to have made your mom happy. She’s already talking about us having a houseful of grandkids.”
“We will.”
“I’ll tell you what I told her. I’m only eighteen. There’s no hurry.”
“Oh, Daphne,” he said, “I forgot to tell you.”
“What?”
“The house. It’s ours.”
My mouth dropped open. “What house? This one?”
“Yeah, the ranch house. My father deeded it to me. We’ll live there. With that houseful of kids my mom wants.”
I looked around the vast family room. This was ours?
“Think about how you want to decorate it,” he said. “You can have it any way you want.”
“Brad, that’s silly. It’s beautiful the way it is. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“Like I said, whatever you want. If that’s what you want, we won’t change a thing.”
“Good. My parents are paying for the wedding, by the way.”
“Daphne…”
“My mom insisted. Your mom offered to foot the bill, but my mom gets pretty stubborn sometimes.”
“I can’t imagine that,” he said sarcastically. “Her daughter is nothing like that.”
I couldn’t help giggling. “Brad, they don’t have the kind of money—”
“I’ll take care of it,” he said.
“Thanks.” I had no idea what he thought he would do, but I trusted Brad. He’d take care of it.
Damn.
I did trust him.
Which meant I had to tell him what I’d found.
“Brad…”
“Yeah?”
“I went into your room today.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. I wanted to lie on your bed. It smells like you.”
He laughed. “That’s sweet.”
“If it’s sweet, why are you laughing?”
“I don’t know. It’s cute.”
“I saw something.”
“What?”
“A stack of manila envelopes on your desk. The top one had Wendy written on it.”
Silence.
“I didn’t open it. I would never do that.”
“I know that, Daphne.”
“But I did ask your mother about Wendy. Why didn’t you tell me you had her committed?”
“I didn’t want to upset you. You know…because of your history.”
“I’m not upset. I’m glad she’s gone.”
“Good. So am I. She won’t bother either one of us again.”
“Promise?”
“I promise, baby.”
I heaved a sigh of relief. “What’s in the envelope?”
“Just some documents about the facility where she is. It’s in Grand Junction.”
“That’s what your mom said. I wish she were farther away.”
“I do too, but her parents want to be able to visit her.”
I patted my belly, thinking of my little dove. I hadn’t even met him yet, and already I knew I’d treasure him and would always want to be able to see him, no matter what. “I guess I understand that.”
“But don’t worry, baby. She won’t be a problem. I’ve taken care of it. I’ll always take care of you and our baby.”
I warmed all over. “I know you will. Thank you for that. I love you so much, Brad.”
“I love you too. I’ll see you back home on Sunday.”
“I can’t wait. I miss you.”
“Miss you too. I have to run. Bye.”
“Bye.” I replaced the receiver and walked to the kitchen.