Page 48 of Almost Paradise

I bend down to put the dish in the dishwasher, but it’s snatched from me. He tosses it back in the sink, and it breaks in half.

“I’ve had all I’m going to take of this. He’s only three. He’ll adjust. And we’ll only be a few zip codes away, not in Siberia. He can see your family any time he wants. Besides, I already told him, and I’m not going back on my word when it comes to my son.”

My head finally whips around to look at him. I glare into his face. “Your son? You’ve been here five minutes. If you knew anything about being a parent, you’d know that you can’t fill his head with nonsense and lies.” I look away from him in disgust. He filled Carter’s head about us living together, now my son thinks we’re going to be this happy family. “But I guess that’s all you know how to do.”

“I would have been here the entire time if I knew—”

“Oh, shut up, you liar,” I hiss.

“I’ll be right back, and then I’ll tell you all the reasons why Mario is better than Sonic,” I hear Wyatt say before he joins us in the kitchen. “So, uh, do you need me to help you with your bags?” he asks me.

I give everyone my back, pick up the broken dish from the sink and throw the pieces in the trash.

“She’s not going anywhere,” I hear Audrey say. “The only people who are leaving are you two. You can either walk or limp out. The choice is yours.” I turn in time to see her swing the bat in their direction. Wyatt easily grabs it from her and holds it high above his head.

“You’re a feisty little thing, aren’t you?” he asks with a lowered voice. “Let me hold onto this so you don’t hurt yourself,” he says.

“No, let her have it,” Drake says. “Hit me with it, please, so you can be charged with assault. I’m here for my wife and son. This has nothing to do with you.” he utters. “Stay out of it.”

“You think you can threaten me with the police?” Audrey asks. “You haven’t seen—"

“She doesn’t want to be your wife,” my dad says, interrupting Audrey.

“Nevertheless, she said I do. Are we done? Here are your options, Nia. You can either pack a bag or not, but we’re leaving in ten minutes.” He taps something on his phone. “Starting now.”

“Go home to your fiancée and leave me and Carter alone.”

As soon as the words are out of my mouth, Carter runs into the kitchen like a possessed toddler. “Can we go now?” He practically stomps his feet. “Daddy says I get my own room.” He wraps himself around one of Drake’s long legs.

“I’m just waiting for Mommy.” He plops himself at the kitchen table and puts Carter on his lap.

“Does Kyle get a room?” Carter asks, and the entire kitchen goes silent. Here it is. He’s never known a world without Kyle and Mason. Of course, he assumes we’re all going.

“Sure,” Drake says. “Right next to yours. He can come visit and spend the night whenever he wants. Mason too.”

“Really?” Mason asks. “Can we go, Dad? Uncle Wyatt says he’ll come watch movies and play video games with us. Please.”

Chapter 28

Drake

She doesn’t say a single word during the entire thirty-minute drive into the city. She doesn’t bother to ask where we’re going. She packed a small bag for Carter as if they’re only going to be gone overnight. I don’t know if she threw anything for herself in that bag or not.

She has her arms crossed as if that can keep me away. Carter talks though. He talks the entire time without taking a breath. I’m relieved that Wyatt drove himself, and I don’t have to suffer through his inane chatter, but I’m also grateful he came with me today.

I knew she’d have her entire family there. I was sure she told them everything I did. I’m also shocked that her father didn’t hit me or pull out his gun. I guess that was due to the kids being there. All her parents did was glare at me, which was easy to ignore. I’ve been stared at my entire life. I couldn’t give a fuck about that if I tried.

None of that matters now. She’s married to me. She’s the mother of my son, and she’s not going anywhere. I made sure of it. How soon she decides to accept that is up to her.

“We’re here,” I announce. “Someone will bring your bag up.” Bertram opens the door for us, and I open the door to the building. Carter is practically bouncing with excitement. I pick him up, put him on my hip, and step into the elevator, which opens to the penthouse.

All color has practically left Nia’s face. It started when she saw the building and got progressively worse on the elevator ride up.

The apartment is still the same. I never changed a thing on the first level. Before today, she’s the only person, other than the housekeeper, who has ever been in here.

“Can I see my room?” Carter asks. I leave Nia in the middle of the entryway and go up the stairs. I put Carter down, and he dashes in front of me. He does a cartwheel and runs right past his room.

“Over here, buddy.” He runs back and his mouth opens wide when he sees it. I’m seeing it for the first time myself, and I realize the interior designer might have gone overboard with the Spiderman decorations. There’s a Spiderman bed, sheets, and right above the bed, is a painting of the superhero. It looks like he’s crawling upside down on the ceiling. Carter throws off his shoes, climbs onto the bed, and starts jumping.

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