Striking Blow by Louise Dawn

Author:Louise Dawn [Dawn, Louise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Louise Dawn

They drove in awkward silence, and Antonio clenched the wheel. Leo could never keep that snarky mouth shut. He used it successfully as a weapon, both in his personal and professional life and now he’d gone a step too far. Glancing at the tense woman beside him, Antonio wondered how she felt. Was she feeling angry? Dejected? Overcome? Hurt?

“Mommy, are you still crying?”

“What?” Pearl jerked around with a forced smile. “Don’t be silly.”

She’d been crying? Damn his brother. Antonio gnawed at his bottom lip as he thought of ways to thrash Leo’s ass.

“You can hug Shreddy.” Aysha waved her raggedy bear in the air. “He can talk again! Look.”

A robotic voice rang through the vehicle. “My name is Shreddy. I love Spaghetti.”

“I’m fine, Bug. We’re nearly home.”

“No, squeeze him.”

“Mom is fine,” Pearl said with a forced smile.

“I acted like a big girl today.”

Despite his concern, Antonio smiled at the kid’s words. “You sure did. You behaved like a princess.”

“I told you, I’m not a princess! I’m a fairy.”

“A stinkbug fairy.”

Aysha giggled. “I smell like bubblegum.”

“You smell like trouble,” he countered.

“You like trouble.”

Aysha’s words caught him off guard, and he barked out a laugh. She was one funny kid whose words happened to be true. He liked Aysha and her mother a hell of a lot. In fact, he couldn’t imagine not having them in his life. Worrying over them constantly had become his new normal, and he’d become greedy.

They pulled up alongside the condo.

“Come inside.” Pearl’s solemn words had him nodding, and he did as asked.

He waited in the living room as she put Aysha to bed. When she finally descended the stairs, he switched off the television and stood. Crossing her arms, she stared at the carpet.

“Leo can be hot-headed and—”

“And he knows everything. Why is that? Did you tell him about my situation?”

“No. I mentioned Rajin to my father. I needed intel.”

“You mentioned Rajin. You just dropped that bomb casually to your family.”

“You’re taking this the wrong way. Look, I’ve never once spoken about your situation or brought up your name in conversation.”

“And yet, Leo knows everything.”

Antonio stepped closer. “Because he works for the CIA.”

That got her attention, and Pearl’s mouth fell open.

“When I asked Dad to look into Rajin’s whereabouts, Leo decided to get involved. He’s been following his little brother and gathering intel.”

“So, you never told him about us.”

“I haven’t told anyone who you are or where you’re located. But Leo has shared his findings with our father.”

Pearl rubbed an arm and looked away.

“What are you thinking?” He didn’t like her cooling expression.

“You’re too involved.”

“With my family?”

“With me. Your brother is right. You’re a protector who’s adopted a charity case.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“I’ve kept a tally of everything you’ve bought. I have a plan—to get better situated. Eventually, I’d like to study online while working.”

“I don’t want you to pay me back. That’s insane.”

“As insane as buying beds, a television, and a sofa set for a stranger? Giving her a car? Allowing her to skip rent?”

“Lending a car. And you’re not a stranger.

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