Page 87 of Waiting for Redemption

It takes him a minute to get to the part I’m anticipating a reaction from the most, but when he does I’m not the least bit disappointed. He leans back on the headrest and lets out a groan like it’s paining him not to say all sorts of dirty things to me right now in front of Hendrix. I hold my hand out for my phone with a proud smirk as he plops it down while shaking his head at me.

“You’re gonna regret that,” he mumbles, just loud enough for me to hear and little earsnotto.

“No chance.” I pretend to put all of my focus back on my phone as he finally pulls out of the driveway, when in reality I spend the entire drive to his apartment thinking of all the ways he could try to make me regret giving him that kind of power over me—and why itdoesn’tscare me. On the contrary, itexcites me.I know that because when I finally step out of the truck again, I’m uncomfortably wet from just the thought of it. We aren’t even at Tank’s place an hour before he’s done and I can’t help but laugh when I notice almost everything he has packed is clothes and ammo outside of Maverick’s things—which honestly looks likemorethan what Tank is bringing for himself. There’s a bed, blankets, toys, food, bowls, a harness. Basically, if it’s in the dog section at Petco, Maverick has it.

“So, you’re going to have guns in the house?” I ask as Tank shoves his handgun safe into a bag.

“Yes, is that going to be a problem?” He drops the camouflage tactical-looking bag next to his regular duffle before walking over to me.

“I mean. What about Hendrix? He’s never been around guns. He doesn’t know how dangerous they are. I just…I don’t want them there if he could end up getting hurt.”

“Baby, what’s the most important thing in this world to me?” he asks, wrapping his arms around my waist, and pulling me into him. I take a deep breath, contemplating my answer.

“Making Marco’s life miserable.” His face twists.

“I don’t give a fuck about Marco.” I swat his arm, widening my eyes as I look around for Hendrix. “Try again,” he instructs.

“Us?”

“Damn straight. You and that little boy in there are the only things that matter. So in case this wasn’t clear to you before, I’ll make it clear now. I willneverput either of you in harm's way again. I have safes for all of my guns, and the only way to get into the one I keep my sidearm in is with my thumbprint.No oneis getting in it but me, I promise you, Hendrix will be safe.” He kisses my forehead, putting all my worries at ease.

“Thank you.”

“For what, Honey?”

“Always reassuring me of things without making me feel crazy or dumb,” I admit, laying my head on his chest.

“Ruby, you’re one of the smartest people I know. Never forget that. Needing reassurance over the safety of your son shouldn’t make you question that.”

I can’t believe he’smine.

“Hey Tank,” Hendrix asks from right beside us.

“Are you my dad now?” I look down and see him looking up at Tank with a sadness about him that’s so rare it has me worried.

Shit, why is this coming up right now?

“Why do you ask that, Hendrix?” I turn to face him, brushing some of his long brown hair back out of his eyes.

“I don’t know. You guys are married now, so that means Tank is my dad, right?” I look up at Tank, and when my eyes land on his I see something stirring in his mind, though I’m not surewhat.I open my mouth to answer him, even though I have no idea what I’m going to say, but Tank grabs my hand and stops me.

“Would it be okay with you if we have this conversation at dinner tonight? We can get back home and order takeout and sit down and really talk about what this means for all of us. That sound like a plan to you?” He directs the question at Hendrix, glancing at me for approval as well. Then I watch my full-of-life child nod simply before returning to the couch with Maverick—who seems to be his new best friend—where he’s been playing with bar coasters.

Did Tank take those from Chattahoochies?

“What’s going on? I see that you’re thinking something, can you let me in on it?”

“Do you trust me?”

“I do, but–”

“Honey, I assure you if this was something you needed to know right this second I would tell you.”

“But I do need to know right now. That’s my baby and if something is wrong I want to know.” He takes a deep breath, reluctantly telling me what he thinks.

“I have a feeling someone has said something to Hendrix about not having a dad that’s upset him.” I feel my face heat instantly, from my head all the way down my neck as I think about someone saying something so awful to my baby.

“But if it is that, it needs to be handled with a little time and sensitivity. Can I ask that you follow my lead with this?”

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