Destined Heart (The Hart Series Book 3) by Ann Stewart & Stephanie Nash

Author:Ann Stewart & Stephanie Nash [Stewart, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-08-23T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

Tuesday, March 5

ALEX…

It’s odd feeling safe. When one grows up in a place where you’re afraid to walk into the living room, knowing at any moment the monster known as your father could be lurking behind any given door. And even though it’s been more than ten years since I’ve had to deal with him on a personal level, I’m not so sure I’ve ever truly felt safe. I’ve felt used, powerful, wanted, but never safe.

My false sense of security stems from the inevitable pattern my mom and I fell into. I was about five or six when my mom left my dad for what would be the first of many times. Of course, that sense of freedom was short lived. She went back after a few days. This would continue for the next few years, and even though I know she was trying to do what was best for me and for her, the back and forth did more damage than good.

So when the foreign feeling of contentment coursed through my soul when I woke with Elyssa in my arms, her sister and brother-in-law across from us, I knew this would be a turning point in my life. Here I am, a man about to embark on a new chapter with the love of his life. My mother must have done something right. For the first time in my entire adult life, being surrounded by friends and family, the comforts of worn furniture and nick-knacks, I felt safe.

Although the loveseat is more comfortable than the hard concrete bed in jail, it’s doing nothing for my back. When I wake up with Elyssa still snuggled into my chest, I nudge Bryan with my foot to jostle him awake. I manage to get to my feet to find Bryan already at the door ready to lock up behind us. A sign of her true exhaustion, Elyssa doesn’t even stir when I bring her out to the car.

Thirty minutes later, I walk into our home with Elyssa in my arms. I glance up at the clock on our barely decorated wall and see that it’s after midnight.

“Alex,” Elyssa mumbles against my chest as I lay her on our bed. “Someone broke into the house.”

“I know, Frank filled me in.”

It was explained to me that the sensor was triggered when someone hopped the wall in the backyard. Fortunately, I hired the best so the cops were called immediately as well as instant notification sent to my security team. By the time they arrived, whoever attempted to break in was already long gone.

Leaning down, I kiss her forehead before venturing into the bathroom. I can’t imagine climbing into the bed we share with the layers of filth on me. Stripping down, I make my way into the steaming hot shower. I make a mental note to burn the soiled clothes. Filled with dirt, blood and memories of horrid mistakes my crisp white shirt sits on the floor, unrecognizable. Bruises and scrapes on my knuckles and forearm…I can at least burn the clothes.

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