Page 40 of Defending A Promise
“Love you, too.” We hang up and I look around at the quiet house and the feeling of being watched is still there. The urge to leave is overwhelming, so I collect a few more things for Nicholas out of his room and then beeline it out the front door and to Declan’s truck. The faster I can get out of here, the better.
Chapter 16
Declan
Earlier today when I saw my truck in the parking lot of Hibiscus Commons office complex, I was excited to see Riley. Watching her walk out of the building with the real estate agent made me feel anxious and excited. I’ve wanted Riley Ashford for over twenty-five years and here, now I have her – at least I thought I did until the real estate agent informed me of Riley’s decision to move out and buy a house.
Not only is it not safe for her to be moving out, but I don’t want her to leave. It’s only been three days, and I already crave to hear her voice, feel her touch, and smell her beautiful scent. Not to mention my buddy, Nicholas. No, I don’t want them to move and buy a place. She’s already home. With me. They both are.
It has taken every ounce of willpower that I have to not call or text her today. I want to ask her about what her plans are, why she wants to leave, but I resist… barely. When I told Jax about it all, he threatened to shoot my phone out of my hand if I touched it.
He mentioned that if I want her to stay in Hibiscus Harbor, then I need to give the girl some space. She’s been on her own, rocking this single mom thing, for years and having me scare thecrap out of her with my need for her presence won’t help any. And he makes a good point. She’s already left once; I don’t want her to leave again.
I look at the time and realize it’s time to go get Nicholas from daycare. I’ve changed out of my uniform and locked up all my guns, except the one I carry with me everywhere, and grab my keys. “Be a good girl, Bella.”
She barely lifts her head off the couch and looks at me and then flops back down. She’s always a good girl and I’m so lucky to have her. I laugh at her less than stellar effort and lock the door behind me.
Riley’s car is tiny in comparison to my truck, and I miss it but at least if her stalker is looking for her, he’s not going to know how to find her in my truck. I dare the fucker to come looking for her wherever he sees her car. I fucking dare him.
There are a handful of parents ahead of me picking up their kids and I wait patiently in line as I look around the daycare. I don’t think I’ve been in a daycare since I was their age. All the primary colors and art on the walls is a bit overwhelming. All the chairs are at kid level height and barely come up to my knees. I feel like I’m in a dollhouse.
“Can I help you?” a girl, maybe twenty years old with bleach white hair asks me from behind the front desk. She doesn’t look good – maybe tired or worn out?
“Yes, I’m here to pick up Nicholas Ashford.”
She holds her hand out as if I’m supposed to pay her or something. I must look confused because she looks up at me with her raised bleach white eyebrows. “Driver’s license.” She says as if I’m the dumbest idiot on the planet.
“Yes, of course. Sorry.” I pull out my wallet from my back pocket. “Here you go.” I hand her my license when I hear my name being called.
"Declan!" Nicholas calls from the other side of a half door.
"Hey buddy. Ready to go on our guy’s night?” I ask him as the girl hands me back my license.
“Yes!” Nicholas says.
“Great. Go get your things.”
“Sign here,” the girl says as if she’s bored to tears.
I take the pen, which is sticky, and sign my name.
“He’s good,” she yells to someone on the other side of the half door and Nicholas comes running out with his lunchbox and some artwork.
“Look what I drew for you, Declan.” Nicholas hands the artwork to me and I take my time to evaluate it. Actually, I’m trying to figure out what it is, but I don’t tell him that.
“Wow. This is amazing, Nickels. Did you do all of this by yourself, or did you have help?”
Nicholas grabs my hand as we walk across the parking lot and my heart melts. His tiny hand is lost in mine, but I feel like I’ve won the lottery.
“I made it all by myself. Where are we going to eat? Is Bella coming? Do you think elephants know they could stomp on a building if they wanted to?”
I don’t know which question to answer first as he climbs into his seat and waits for me to buckle him in.
“Do you want hamburgers or tacos?” I decide to ask my own questions instead.
“Burgers.”
“Okay, then, Jack’s Place has the best burgers in town, and we can get some beer, too.”
