Pieces of You Page 7

  Caden takes one look at my face, I’m sure the encounter is showing in some way, and heads toward the stranger, anger almost oozing from him. “Who the fuck are you? What the fuck did you say to my fiancée?”

  “I, uh, uh, she has the paperwork,” he stammers, trying to get away but Caden isn’t having it.

  “I asked you a fuckin’ question,” Caden says, getting in the man’s face.

  “He’s from Town Hall. He’s evicting me until the case is settled,” I tell him, realizing the stranger is too scared to talk. Then again, with the way Caden is staring at him, a lot of people would be. Though the man had no problem being a jerk to me. He either views women as the weaker sex – big mistake – or something else is going on here that we aren’t aware of yet.

  “Who gives you the fucking right to do that? And how could you without proof?”

  “We have what we need,” he declares, finding some courage.

  “Bullshit isn’t proof,” Caden informs him before twisting to look at me as if wanting to ensure I’m okay. I give him the thumbs up, letting him know we both are, and he smiles. However, in that split second of inattention, the stranger made his move and hurried to his car. Caden runs toward it but makes it after the guy is already inside and has started it.

  Stepping back, barely saving his toes from the tires that almost ran them over, he flips the guy off and heads to me, wrapping me in his arms, promising he’ll take care of it all.

  “Is it done?” The voice asks over the phone.

  “Yes.”

  “Any problems?”

  “No,” I reply, “but you didn’t tell me he’d be there,” I continue, referring to Caden Howell.

  “What’d you say to him?” The person asks, the tone sharp.

  “Nothing,” I reply immediately, leaving the fact I’d implied there was proof out.

  “Keep it that way, Mr. Bosco,” they warn, as if I need the reminder. One slip on my part and my secret will be revealed. They made sure I knew they wouldn’t hesitate to do so if I don’t play their game, not like the really gave me a choice. The dial tone sounds in my ear, letting me know they’ve decided our talk is over, showing once again they’re in charge, not me.

  Not for the first time, I wish I would’ve made different decisions…in more ways than one.

  Chapter Seven

  Caden

  June 23rd…

  Rooney and Boomer officially moved in with me last night, though the hotel is only temporary. Not only can Boomer not remain here – it isn’t fair to him – but neither Rooney nor I want to either. We want our child to grow up in a house with a yard with room to play and have fun. And a penthouse isn’t the place for that.

  We just returned from walking Boomer, making it a long one to give him more freedom, and are scouring the real estate listings while he happily chews on a bone on his bed off to the side.

  “Rainbow,” I say, getting her attention, “what about this one?” The house is less than ten minutes from her current location, and it has four bedrooms, along with space we could always convert into an office or other bedrooms depending on the number of children we have. There’s a shed in back where we can keep supplies and plenty of acreage to have something built to house the animals if necessary. I know she has specific ideas on what’s needed to ensure they’re taken care of and I want her, and them, to have every single one.

  She asks if we’d be able to build on the property and I tell her with the proper permits, it won’t be a problem. Although there is the nagging suspicion something is going on regarding her current home and sanctuary.

  We scroll through the pictures and point out things we like as well as others we’d want to change, our ideas in sync. Checking the contact information, I decide to reach out to the agent and ask how soon the new owners would be able to move in. Knowing we can’t do much else, we continue looking in case we find another we’re interested in. There are a couple, but the first is definitely our top choice.

  Rooney and I spend the next few hours discussing ideas for when we do move, the wedding, our baby and anything else that comes to mind. When we stop for lunch, Rooney making something delicious from the food we’d stocked our kitchen with earlier, there’s a knock at the door as we’re cleaning up.

  My hands are buried in soapy water as I’d forgone the dishwasher for the few pieces we’d used, so Rooney offers to get it. I’m not sure who it could be, though I doubt it’s my mother as she prefers to announce her visits, I am happy when Boomer gives a bark before hurrying to her side.

  “That’s a good boy,” I say softly, not wanting to distract him from protecting Rooney. I’ll reward him afterward.

  “Doggie,” I hear Reese say. Draining the water, I dry my hands and walk toward the living room, happy to see my dog and nephew have already bonded. As it seems, so have Rooney and Peyton. They’re talking like they’re old friends, despite only having met once briefly.

  “Little sister,” I say in greeting, causing Reese to run over and wrap his arms around my leg.

  “Unc Den,” Reese chants. “You and Aunt Rooney have a doggie.” I don’t miss the smile on her face nor the softening of her eyes at his title for her, said as if she’s always been a part of his life. He wrapped her around his pinkie as easily as he did his mom and uncle.

  Rooney joins Reese on the floor, and she tells him Boomer’s name and his favorite spot to be petted; directly behind his right ear.

  My sister and I let them be, taking seats on the couch as we watch the two get to know each other. Twenty minutes later, Rooney making her way to join us, Peyton leans over and whispers, “She’s perfect for you.” Once Rooney is by my side, Peyton begins asking about the wedding and asking, “Is there anything I can do?”

  Chapter Eight

  Rooney

  June 24th…

  Peyton and Reese ended up accepting our invitation and stayed for dinner, her and I getting to know each other better as we prepared the food. The laughter from the living room, the deep sound of Caden’s reverberating in my heart and the high-pitched giggle of Reese stealing it, had me smiling the rest of the night. And something told me neither Caden nor Peyton had a lot of it in their childhood but were doing their best to ensure Reese didn’t experience the same.

  After they’d left, his sister and I making plans to get together soon, Caden had swept me into his arms and carried me to our room. Boomer had already gone out for his last potty break, barring any emergencies, of course, and was sound asleep on his plush bed, curled up with his favorite stuffed animal.

  Caden had set me on my feet, his voice a sharp command as he ordered me to strip. Memories of our first night together had my sex reacting immediately, readying itself for his power over it. He’s such a mix of gentle yet demanding and it’s exciting to see which side appears whenever we make love. It was the latter for that encounter, and I was putty in his hands.

  Once I was naked before him, my body his for the taking, he devoured my lips, both sets, before sliding a finger inside me, searching for the spot he knew would make me squirm. When he found it, as he always does, a smirk tipped the corner of his mouth, triumphant at sending me over the edge so easily. But I was rewarded for my reaction to him, his hard cock pummeling me before my climax ebbed. My nails raked his back, no doubt leaving trails in their wake, as he took me, showing me who I belonged to, proving I owned him just as much, if not more.

  Our lovemaking was more of the animal sex variety, but the love was there regardless. I fell asleep with a smile on my face and his somehow still hard dick inside me.

  Now though, I’m regretting leaving our suite, wishing Boomer hadn’t needed to go outside so desperately. We were almost back to the safety it represented when a female voice rang out, one I recognized from my attempt to speak to Caden when I first discovered I might be pregnant.

  Turning, her expression even less welcoming than that day, something I never thought possible, she eyes both Boomer and I with disdain. “You,” she
sneers. “I thought having you removed from the premises was enough to show you were no longer allowed at my hotel,” she stresses her possession and standing, probably trying to ensure I know who she is and that she views me as beneath her. Well, bitch, too bad for you my moms taught me to be proud of myself and where I come from. She may have had the upper hand during our first match, but I was also adrift at the time, missing Caden with every beat of my heart and wasn’t my usual self. Now though, bring it.

  “And I’ve since been told that decision isn’t up to you,” I say, the knowledge Caden wants me here, that he loves me, gives me the strength to stand up to her, even without the confidence instilled in me my entire life.

  “Do you know who I am?” She asks, somehow managing to look down her nose at me though I have at least a couple inches on her.

  “The woman irritating the hell out of me?” I ask sweetly. She is not amused. I am though because Boomer is currently sniffing her leg, and raising his own despite having just hosed down a few hydrants. Reluctantly tapping my thigh, Boomer acknowledges it, his head shifting toward me – and I swear he’s pouting at not being able to do what he wants to, then returns to my side.

  “Take your dog,” she says, her tone telling me exactly what she thinks of Boomer, his demeanor already informing her it’s mutual, “and get the hell out. Don’t think of returning again or I’ll call the police and have you charged with trespassing.”

  She turns, her heels muffled by the carpet as she walks away. I don’t want to give her words my time since Caden runs this place, yet I can’t help the niggling worry because she is his mother. That makes dread hit at the reminder I’m stuck with her now. At least, from what I understand from him and Peyton, she isn’t a big presence, and though I feel bad for being thankful of that fact, it means she won’t interfere with our life together or that of our child.

  **Caden**

  I know within minutes of walking in the door something is wrong. Oh, Rooney still greets me with a smile and kiss, Boomer a tail wagging in joy, but her smile is dim, the light in her eyes shadowed. That simply won’t do.

  “What happened?” As she tells me, my free hand clenching as the other continues to hold hers gently, my thumb pushing her engagement ring from side to side, I can see the toll the conversation took on her, and that she’s realized who the woman was. Wanting to tell her how sorry I am she had to deal with that, I’m shocked when she instead apologizes to me, though not for how she defended herself. “Why? You did nothing wrong, sweetheart.”

  “Because you had to grow up with her. I spent five minutes with her and was ready to scream. How are you so…normal?” I chuckle a little at that, but she’s not done. “You’re sweet, gentle, kind, and loving. Do you take entirely after your father?”

  Oh man, that’s an entirely different discussion, yet one just as sad. “He may not be as bad as her, but he lets her do whatever she wants, and that included treating Peyton and I, and even Reese to an extent, as people she has to deal with from time to time. Unless it suits her purpose, like earlier and when you came here all those months ago, to insert herself for the ‘greater good’ of the family.” She rolls her eyes at that and not for the first time, I envy that she has such a wonderful relationship with her parents. I know having two moms created problems for her as a kid, the uniqueness of it something her peers viewed as a reason to tease and torment her, but the love between them is obvious.

  “What are we going to do? Can she kick me out? Or just make my stay here miserable?” She asks, and while I have an idea on the first and refuse to let the second or third happen, I know the last is still entirely possible. I wouldn’t put it past my mother to bide her time, waiting for a chance to strike when I wasn’t around. Hell, that’s probably what she did today.

  “We’ll figure something out. We won’t have to stay here much longer anyway.”

  “Did they already respond to our offer?” She asks, excitedly.

  “No,” I reply, the disappointment on her face hurting my heart, “but I know everything will be okay.” What I don’t say yet, not wanting to risk sharing just in case I can’t make it happen, is that I will take steps to ensure we’re out of here asa-fucking-p. If I need to use my family name or the money behind it – something I’ve never done, that’s if the amount I’ve worked my ass off for isn’t enough, then I’ll do it, no hesitation. My wife-to-be will not be subjected to other run-ins with my mother. Not only do I want that woman nowhere near my Rooney, I know they can and will be stressful, more so as she starts to show because that will set my mother off to a higher level, and that won’t be good for Rooney or the baby.

  Chapter Nine

  Caden

  June 26th…

  With Rooney visiting Peyton and Reese at their place, Boomer with her as my nephew begged her to bring him, I’ve put my plan into motion.

  As I near my destination, not feeling bad in the least for what I’m hoping to accomplish, my phone ringing pulls me from my thoughts just minutes from arriving. Checking the screen, I curse, knowing, as much as I’d like to, I couldn’t put this confrontation off forever. I’m surprised she’s waited this long.

  “Hello, son.” Oh shit, yeah, she’s up to something. She never refers to me as anything other than my given name, Thomas, which is the main reason I refuse to use it outside of my parents. “We’re having a dinner at the estate,” that’s how she always classifies the house I grew up in, “and wanted to inform you. I know you’ll be sure to attend,” which means I better be there, or I’ll never hear the end of it, “so I’ve already taken the liberty of having Estelle add it to your appointment and reschedule anything that would’ve conflicted. It’s formal, so make sure you dress accordingly.” And then she hangs up, no I love you or thank you, or anything of the like, just a decree and she was done.

  The fact she didn’t mention Rooney or Boomer makes me suspicious, but wary as well because I know she has something planned…and neither Rooney or myself will like it. Hopefully, when I get home and we talk about our day, I’ll have good news to offset the bad I’ll have to deliver.

  With my portfolio folder in hand, I step out of my car after pulling into the driveway that’s set back a little from the road, which I like. My knock is answered quickly, and I introduce myself. “My name is Caden Howell, and I apologize for dropping by, but my fiancée and I put an offer in for this lovely house and, at the risk of coming on strong, we were wondering if something could be done to help us make this our home.”

  The couple share a look in the way people do that can communicate without words and the husband steps back, silently giving me permission to enter. Okay, parts one and two have gone smoothly, I can only hope the rest does as well.

  “I’m Bill and this is my wife, Louise. Tell us more, please.”

  So, I do. I tell them Rooney, the love of my life, and I are getting married next month and expecting our first child in January. “Your home and the acres surrounding it would be perfect for raising our family and my fiancée’s animal sanctuary.”

  Louise’s face lights up and she asks, “Would that be Finding Fur-ever?” When I nod, she gets animated as she shares the story of their friend’s granddaughter, Bethany, adopting a dog from Rooney in April.

  The three of us talk for the next hour and I learn they’re moving to a retirement community as living here is getting to be too much for them. I ask, because I truly want to know, if they’re okay with that, or if they’d like to stay if they could get the help to remain there.

  “Oh, aren’t you sweet?” Louise asks with a pat of my hand. “We’re looking forward to it, my dear. Some of our friends have already moved there and love it.” Neither Rooney nor I would ever want to take someone’s home from them when they don’t want to leave it.

  “I will say,” Bill starts, “we’ve been looking over the offers and yours made it to the final round.” He shrugs, almost sheepishly, then adds, “We were going based upon instinct, and there was something about yours�
�”

  “We felt good about it, and we’re both firm believers in trusting that,” Louise finishes for him.

  “Thank you,” I tell them, sincerely. “I don’t mean to rush you, and I wouldn’t have dropped by like this if it wasn’t urgent, but we’re currently staying in a hotel with Boomer, one of the dogs she’s helping, and it’s not fair to him. Plus, we’d like to be settled and able to get the sanctuary up and running again before she gets further along.” What I don’t say is that I want her as far from my mother’s reach as possible too. “But, and I know this sounds bad, is there any way we could sway you into choosing us?”

  “Son,” Bill begins, “you’ve already done that, but we appreciate you asking.” I breathe a sigh of relief at both, not sure if I’m happier that it looks like we’ll be the new owners or that they didn’t interpret me as trying to bribe them. Not that I wouldn’t if that’s what it took to get Rooney her dream house, but I wanted all parties involved to come out winners. And I feel good about the fact this is happening because of who Rooney and I are, not who my family is or the money behind the name. He sends another of those looks Louise’s way and she nods. “We decided to accept your offer last night, we just hadn’t gotten to talk to the realtor about it yet. If it isn’t too soon for you, we’d like to move before the month is over.”

  “That would actually be great, as long as it doesn’t rush you or put the two of you out.” Taking a chance, hoping it isn’t seen as an insult on their pride, I offer, “If needed, to make things easier for both of you, I’d be willing to cover your moving costs, seeing as how you may not be able to arrange that on such short notice.” Thankfully, it looks as if the majority of their belongings are already packed or have been transferred to their new home.