Page 31 of Property of BamBam
“Yes, sir,” she replies, causing my dick to stand up and take notice.
“And you’re sure it’s part of the deal?” Livy asks as she walks through the apartment for a second time.
“It is,” I reply, bouncing Theo in my arms. He woke up from his short nap kind of fussy and I briefly wonder if he’s old enough to start teething. The reason that’s on my mind is he’s been drooling almost nonstop and currently has the corner of my cut in his mouth as he chews on it. “Is he old enough to be teething?” I ask.
“The book I read says anywhere from four to seven months, so he’s in that window,” she says, rushing over to get him from me. “Maybe I should’ve gotten some of those teething rings.”
“It’s simple enough to stop at the drugstore and pick a few up. Do you have baby medicine for him in case he runs a fever or anything?” I question.
“I’ve got all of that, plus drops that help if he gets gassy,” she admits. “But I don’t have the rings.”
“Then we’ll stop on the way back to Hope House.”
I honestly don’t give a fuck if we have to go to multiple stores. I’m enjoying the time we’ve spent together. I can tell she’s already growing by leaps and bounds from when I picked her and Theo up from the side of the road that day. I just don’t think she’s aware of that fact yet.
“Okay, thanks,” she says, smiling up at me.
The effort it takes not to pull her into my arms to kiss her is almost insurmountable. Still, I resist because I don’t think she’s ready for that just yet. Soon, though. Very soon.
CHAPTER
TWENTY
Olivia
I’m still in a bit of shock from my outing with BamBam. After we picked up several teething rings, along with some gel that the pharmacist recommended so I could put it on Theo’s gums, he brought me back to Hope House, unloaded everything, then left with the promise that he’d let me know when I was able to move to the apartment and start working.
“You didn’t win, Jasper,” I whisper as I grab the last of the clean clothes from the dryer, toss them into my laundry basket then prepare to haul all of it into the family room so I can get them folded. “I’m going to rise from the ashes like the Phoenix I am and build a beautiful life with Theo and you’llneverbe a part of that as far as I’m concerned.”
I suspect that Jasper only left town to temporarily appease the Kings. He’s got a vindictive streak a mile wide, so I know I’ll still need to be cautious and tread carefully. It won’t be anything new for me to walk on eggshells. But this time, it’ll be on my terms. Still, with the promise of my independence on the horizon, Ienter the room where Ashley and Marge are watching television with a grin on my face. Seeing Theo on the floor with one of those interactive toys over him has me giggling.
BamBam insisted on picking it up for him, and when I brought it in, Marge took it from me and got it all set up. Now, she’s on the floor alongside of him, cooing while he flails his arms, one of the teething rings clutched in his hands.
“You’re so good with him,” I remark once I’m settled on one of the couches, my hands automatically pulling an outfit out so I can start folding.
“Was the oldest of five kids, so I helped with the little ones,” Marge says. “Then, of course, I was a mom to two myself. Until the day the devil came into my home one last time and wiped them out like they were a speck of dust.” She clears her throat, and I can see the sheen of moisture gathering in her eyes. “The only good thing that happened onthatday is he took himself out as well.” At my questioning look, she expounds a bit. “He broke in and held us hostage, beat me almost to death after I attacked him for hurting the kids, then thought he could take on the SWAT team that was surrounding my house. Unfortunately… well, my Angus and Carolina succumbed to their injuries.”
“Oh, Marge,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “I’m so sorry. I can’t fathom the pain you feel.”
“It never ends,” she admits. “Came here because I fell into another abusive relationship. Only the nurse who helped take care of me while I was in the hospital knew about Hope House, and she made some calls and got me in. Best thing I’ve ever done, even though it hurts to examine the past to see what my part of it was, you know?”
“Yeah, I understand. I think what’s been hardest to look at was how, because I felt like I had no choice, I stayed. Then, finding out I was pregnant, I felt stuck.”
“Still, when he was going to hurt Theo, you fought and then ran,” Marge says. “That’s more than I was able to do.”
“Marge, I got lucky is all. Jasper was drunk so he wasn’t at his full capabilities,” I reply. “Trust me when I say that there were plenty of times I wasn’t as fortunate. But something changed inside of me the day he was going toward Theo with a murderous look on his face.”
My voice is now barely above a whisper as those memories assail me. Seeing the pure rage on Jasper’s face, alcohol wafting from his pores as he stalked toward where I had set Theo in his swing so I could put a bottle together. His raised arm bearing down on my little boy’s head and face. Me practically jumping onto Jasper’s back, hitting him with my fists to get him away from my son.
I’m so lost in what happened that fateful day that I don’t realize that strong arms are wrapped around me. “Shhh, it’s okay, you’re safe now,” Marge croons. “None of us will let that bastard hurt you or Theo ever again. But I don’t think we’ll be needed because your biker man will protect you with everything in him.”
“He’s not my biker man,” I sniffle out through a giggle. “Marge, your hugs are as good as my mom’s were.” I see her wipe a stray tear away and realize that underneath her rough and gruff exterior is a woman just trying to get through this thing called life.
“That’s your takeaway from everything I said?” Marge asks, huffing as she pulls away, a small grin on her face. “Woman, he’sgot it bad for you. Now, enough of this sad shit, let’s watchHocus Pocus. It’s one of the only Halloween movies I enjoy.”
“I don’t like the really scary ones,” Briley says. Her head’s down as she labors over a pile of yarn and a crochet hook. Grace has been teaching those of us who want to learn, and right now, Briley’s trying to make a blanket for her little girl.
“Me either, although the psychological suspense ones are pretty good,” Ashley adds. “LikeThe Sixth Sense. I honestly had no clue that the doctor was dead!”
