“How’s she doing?”

She turns when she hears me, and smiles. “I really love spending time with her, I swear. She’s so damned cute.”

My heart pangs. I don’t feel like I’m getting enough time with her, even though I spend ninety-nine percent of my days with her. Candy has taken her for a few hours while I’ve dealt with issues regarding Marcus, but even that time apart feels like forever. Like I’m missing out on precious moments. I walk over and stare down at my sleeping daughter, and my heart swells with love.

“She is cute. Thank you so much for doing this, Candy. It’s such a big ask, and—”

“Seriously?” she whispers, cutting me off. “You have lived through hell, taken care of that little girl with nothing, and come all the way back to face your demons. Don’t you apologize. I adore spending time with her, and before you ask, go out tonight with your brothers. I’m happy to watch her.”

I sit down beside her on the bed. “You heard that?”

“They’ve been planning it all afternoon. They want to get to know you, Kat, no matter how much they seem to be careless and casual. It means something to them.”

I smile. “I kind of want to get to know them, too.”

“Then go, spend some time enjoying their company.”

“I hate leaving her,” I whisper, dropping my head.

“She’ll be sleeping anyway; it’s not like you’re taking precious mother-daughter time. Besides, it’s one night. I don’t know how much longer I’ll see her, so let me have this.”

I twist, reaching out and wrapping my arms around my friend. “I don’t say it enough, but I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Candy laughs. “Probably have a party.”

I giggle and pull back. “Do you think I should take Dusty?”

Candy groans. “Ah, yes. He’s been whining about not having any fun for ages now.”

“I’ll ring him.”

I stand and walk towards the door. “Katia?” Candy calls.

I turn, staring at her. “Yeah?”

“You’re doing an amazing job; you should know that. I’m proud of you.”

I smile, my heart opening up just a little more. “Thank you.”

Candy might only be one person, but that’s all it takes to make you feel as though you’re making the right choice.

And I am.

I think.

CHAPTER NINE

KATIA

“Hi Dad,” I say down the phone.

“Katia, how are you?”

“I’m doing okay. How’s Mom?”

“She’s all right, sleeping a lot. We’ve got her scan tomorrow. I think she’s nervous.”

My heart clenches. “Do you think I should come back?”

“No,” he says gently. “We’re doing okay. The doctor has given her pain meds while we wait. They’re helping. Just you calling every day is making her feel better.”

I nod, swallowing back my tears. Thank God he can’t see me right now. I’m a mess.

“How’s everything going there?” he asks.

“Fine. I went to see my lawyer today. We’re getting the ball rolling.”

“Is Marcus giving you trouble?”

“Some,” I admit. “But I’m okay. Wyatt and Landon are taking me out tonight.”

He groans. “You sure you want to do that?”

I laugh softly. “Sure, they’re my brothers.”

“They’re also rebels. Watch them; they’ll get you into trouble.”

“No more than I’ve managed to do all on my own,” I whisper.

“Katia,” he says softly. “It’s not your fault.”

“No, maybe not. But being naive put me here. Who lets someone treat them like that? I should have known . . .”

“You loved him. Love clouds so much. It makes us believe even the worst situations are something precious we have to hold on to. You can’t blame yourself.”

He’s right; I know that. It doesn’t make me feel any better, though.

“Thanks, Dad. Can you tell Mom I called?”

“I will. She’ll call you back later.”

“Thank you.”

I hang up with a sigh. It’s so hard deciding what’s best when your heart is torn in so many different directions. Right now I’m going to focus on tonight, and enjoying myself for the first time in a long time. I walk over to the dresses Candy let me borrow, Penny crawling close behind me.

“What do you think, baby?” I ask, pulling out two dresses and holding them up.

Penny reaches up, nabbing the red one and tugging it. I laugh softly, kneeling down and scooping her into my arms. “I like that one, too.”

I flop down onto the bed, letting her crawl all over me. She pulls my necklace, tugs my earrings, pokes her finger up my nose and then curls up beside me with her dolly. I breathe her in, turning and pressing my face into her hair. Precious. Perfect. Amazing. My life would be nothing without her.

“I love you, sweet baby.”

My eyes flutter closed, and in moments, we’re both out.

CHAPTER TEN

MARCUS

THEN

“This business is mine,” Walter snarls.

I clench my fists, the urge to smack him into next week overwhelming me. How dare he come in here and try to take what’s mine? How dare he fuck me further than he already has? I can feel my own veins throbbing in my head. I’m sure it’s about to explode.