Page 111 of Falling for Brody

Bea tried to get up, but the man kicked her in the stomach as he went out through the gate.

The last sight she had of Chip was crying and reaching for her.

The world went black.

CHAPTER20

Rhea lookedat her phone on the table beside her and couldn't help wondering what was going on in Fallport.

A message came in, lighting up the lock screen, and she saw the picture she'd saved for it. Brody and Chip washing dishes together in the kitchen.

It was an utterly normal moment that happened in millions of homes a day. But in her home that moment was such a warm and wholesome moment for her.

Brody might not be Chip's father, but she knew that Chip loved Brody.

It was written on Chip's face every time he saw him.

How was she going to explain that Brody wasn't going to come around much anymore?

Keely cleared her throat. "Is that your husband?"

Rhea felt tears prickling at the backs of her eyes. "No. He's my partner at work."

Keely raised a brow at that. "Oh, okay."

Rhea hoped that her face didn't show the pain she was going through, but if she knew one thing about herself it was that she was a bad actress.

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"Okay, then." Keely nodded. "Dessert?"

* * *

Chip wanted to cry.

That man!

That man stank! He was mean, too!

Aunt Bea had tried to help him, and she'd been hurt because of it.

As the man was carrying him out of the backyard, one arm around his body, his other hand over Chip's mouth, Chip was kicking and clawing at the man, but it wasn't doing him any good. The man may stink, but he was strong.

Chip wanted to cry, but he was more angry than scared.

"Damn it, kid. You're fucking dead weight, aren't you, kid. If you weren't worth a thousand in cold hard cash, I'd leave your ass here."

Chip remembered what he'd done the last time he was kicking and screaming, when he'd found out his dad had died.

His mom was trying to hold him and angry at the world, he hadn't wanted to be held.

She had hugged him trying to comfort him but he didn't want comfort, not at that moment, he wanted to kick and scream, but she wasn't going to let him do it.

So he'd gone limp to escape her hold.

With one last kick, Chip went limp and he slid out of the man's arms and down to the grass.

"What the fuck?"

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