page120 (1/2)

I nod I knoill

This man He owns my heart

“Anything for le fleck in his areen eyes

With a wink, he steps forward and wraps his arive me a kiss “No matter what, baby You’ll always be my star”

I nod into the crease of his neck, tears threatening to hes—he’s the best in the whole world

Harrison

I peek in the bedroom—filled with every baby iteaze lands on Ellie, sleeping in the center of her crib Rocky is asleep on the daybed across the roohtly parted

She’s beautiful—she’s always beautiful—but tonight, she looks content in a way I’ve never seen her before

I know deciding to leave show business behind ht be an emotional response to the betrayal she’s endured at the hands of her team, but I’m okay either way—teested he hand over HawCouy all too happy to get a change in “scenery” since he’s not ready to settle down—and I’lad for the respite the decision to shift coasts seeiven Rocky now

And for the opportunity to get our family as far away frory and hurt as I know she is, I know I feel exponentially angrier

I hide it well—she doesn’t need or deserve to see any of it firsthand—but I was manipulated away fro from the very first moment I met her

I can’t let that stand—not for me, and certainly not for Rocky So, while she’s peacefully secure in the bubble of new round to ensure that the people who have betrayed us get theirs—and then some

I tiptoe into the darkness of my study, shut the door with a soft click, and then flick on the light to find my way behind my desk

I settle into the supple leather of my favorite chair and dial Cap’s number

He answers on the second ring

“I’ve been waiting for your call,” he says, his voiceit in a long time Since he’s one of thehe’s capable of But with his friends, he’sdown his metaphorical hair

“I aiting until Rocky and Ellie were settled”

“Understood I took the liberty of getting the ball rolling Obviously, this kind of case isn’t h people who can help us All I need fro…anything and everything you can think of”