Page 50 of Wildflower and Whiskey
I swallowed hard, my chest aching with something too big to name. “You’re dangerous, Phoenix Thorne.”
He chuckled, pulling me closer. “Maybe. But I’m not going anywhere.”
For the first time in years, I believed it. I slept safe in his arms. By morning he slipped out quietly, as usual, and I woke up and took care of my son. When my cell rang a smile spread my lips because I thought it was Phoenix, and I already missed the sound of his voice.
I let myself imagine a life with quiet mornings, someone steady by my side, and Braden growing up with a man who wanted to be there. But peace never lasted. Not in my life.
I looked down at my phone to see: Blocked Number.
My stomach turned cold. That wasn’t Phoenix.
I shouldn’t have answered. Every part of me screamed to let it go to voicemail. But I pressed the button anyway.
“Elyna.” Riley’s voice slid through the speaker, smooth and smug like nothing had changed.
My fingers tightened around the phone. “What do you want?”
“Relax, pretty girl. I just thought I’d check in. See how my son’s doing.”
“He’s fine,” I said sharply. “And don’t call me pretty girl.”
He laughed, low and mocking. “You sound tense. Everything all right? Or did your new boyfriend wear you out?”
My chest squeezed. He knew. Somehow, he knew.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lied.
“You do,” he said, his tone turning darker. “I’ve got friends in Val-du-Lys. Small towns don’t keep secrets long.”
“My private life is none of your business,” I asserted, trying to keep my voice even.
“Yeah, but Braden is my son and I get to choose who’s in his life,” he replied, sending my pulse roaring. The man had done nothing since his son was born and now he thought he could dictate my life? Hell no.
I didn’t want to engage him though.
“You sent us away. Remember the bad guys from Montreal?” I reminded, unable to help myself.
“Don’t go rubbing my bad choices in when you have a list of your own,” he said, his voice cool and mean.
He wasn’t wrong. I lost my wind.
He let the silence stretch before adding, “Don’t forget who I am, Elyna. Don’t forget what I can do.”
Then the line went dead.
I fell back onto the futon, feeling like my life was crashing down on me. My peace was gone. Replaced by the familiar dread of Riley’s shadow creeping back into my life.
And the worst part? Phoenix wasn’t just tangled up in my bed anymore. He was tangled up in my heart. Which meant Riley had the power to hurt us both.
CHAPTER 24
Elyna
I started my afternoon shift with my nerves frayed. Getting Braden to daycare was a task with my stomach tied up in nerves. I dropped Braden off at daycare, kissed his warm cheek, and whispered that Mama would be back soon. He fussed a little as I handed him over but that was usual for him.
When I passed him off to his daycare teacher, I reminded, “Remember, I am the only one who picks him up.”
“Of course.” She smiled.
