Page 49 of Broken Discipline
I owed it to her.
I pushed a tendril of hair out of her glossy eyes. She was so fragile and alive at that moment, like she didn’t know what to do even though she was on the verge of collapse. Adrenaline, fear, and passion coursed through her, every twitch of her pupils filled with emotion. And right then, my brain vibrated too. There were so many emotions pulsing through my brain and my damn heart.
I pulled her into my arms and sniffed her hair. That saccharine scent, like molasses and butter, calmed me. I let out a long breath.
“Get the kids,” I said softly this time, “and let’s go.”
CHAPTER 12
Ramona
I tiptoed over to the couch bed. The bar was so loud that it was like white noise for the twins; they were fast asleep. I quickly put on clothes from my suitcase, then bent down, brushing the hair out of Larkin’s eyes, gently waking her. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open. The floor creaked, and Finn scooped up Leon, letting Leon’s head rest on his shoulder. Leon’s eyelids flickered, but he stayed asleep. Larkin glanced between us.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“We’re leaving,” I whispered.
“Is it nighttime? Where is Daddy taking us, Mama? Is it a surprise?”
The idea that Finn wastrulypart of our family now built inside of me. But an antagonistic inner voice swore that he was a fantasy,nothing more.And if I gave in, calling Finn her ‘Daddy,’ he’d disappear into thin air too.
But it was getting harder to listen to that voice.
“Finn’s taking us somewhere,” I said.
Larkin tilted her head, and I smiled, trying to reassure her. I honestly didn’t know what was going on, but this time, even if I couldn’t call him ‘Daddy’ to the kids, I knew I could trust him. I could let him take the reins for once.
Larkin walked to the stairs and I grabbed the suitcases. She paused a few times, gawking up at the blurry-eyed patrons, but I pulled her along, urging her forward. Outside, a black SUV was waiting for us, the engine purring, parked right next to my hatchback. Leon was already strapped in, leaning against his car seat cushion. I opened the door for Larkin, but she hopped up and strapped herself in, eager to see where the nighttime adventure would take us. Finn opened my car door, helping me inside.
“My car,” I said. “Blister slashed the tires.”
“Chip is taking care of it.”
Relief simmered through me. After that, the car ride was silent. Leon slept peacefully, and Larkin watched the windows, her eyes lighting up with each landmark that we passed. An abandoned shack near the highway. An old car with vines growing through the windows. An otter-shaped mailbox right at the edge of the road. Everything in Oakmont was so different from Fairview and Opulent Gates. At her age, I wasn’t sure if she would notice. But for me, I saw every difference, and the biggest one was Finn.
We arrived at a hotel in Northside, a nicer city next to Oakmont. Five peach buildings gleamed in the night, illuminated by the exterior lighting. Finn grabbed Leon again, who finally stirred awake.
“Where are we?” Leon asked.
“My penthouse,” Finn murmured.
I wasn’t surprised that Finn had a penthouse, but it seemed strange that he’d have a property in Northside, and not in Fairview. Fairview was closer to Opulent Gates. Northside was nice and close to Oakmont, but Fairview was better. It was almost like Finn wanted a penthouse in Northside, to keep an eye on Oakmont, because of me.
But then again, Finn could own many properties. The penthouse might not have had any significant meaning.
Leon furrowed his brows but never lifted his head from Finn’s shoulder. In the west tower’s lobby, marble statues in the shape of abstract human forms decorated the floor, with a semicircle sofa in the center. In the elevator, Finn used his key card to take us up to the penthouse level. The elevator opened into a small hallway, with one large door at the end. Finn scanned his card on the keypad again, and the doors opened.
Large windows stretched on each wall of the living room, giving a skyline view of Northside. A wraparound patio circled the outside with a small garden to the side of the outdoor furniture.
Leon and Larkin pushed open a closed door. A room twice the size of their bedroom back at the Carter Compound, was in front of them. Each edge was stacked with toys, colorful and vibrant, like a circus.
“No way,” Larkin whispered.
“Yes way,” Leon said.
Leon reached forward like a zombie, but I grabbed both of the twins, turning their little bodies until they were facingawayfrom the toy room.
“You can see it in the morning,” I said. “Off to bed for now.”
