Page 61 of Protecting Addison
He protected what was his?Bullshit. Brady was smarter than that asshole. Ellory washisdaughter—and he’d do whatever he wanted with her.
The unfortunate truth was, she was worth more to him dead than alive. It was just a matter of playing the role of a lifetime to get what he wanted. Money. He could pretend to be a loving and doting father. It wouldn’t be for long. Just long enough for Addison and the asshole to let down their guards. Then he’d be swimming in more money than he could imagine.
It was time to step up his game. The new con was on, and Brady couldn’t wait for payday.
CHAPTERELEVEN
Ellory was subdued the next few days, though Addison couldn’t blame her. Things with her bio-dad hadn’t gone exactly how any of them had imagined. But Ellory was a naturally positive kid, and before long she was back to her normal self. It helped that the fasting seemed to ease the symptoms of her Crohn’s tremendously. Letting her intestines rest had done what the doctor hoped. Lessened the inflammation drastically, enough to let her eat without pain for a few days before going back to the nutrient-based drinks.
Artem, Borysko, and Yana had settled back into their routine as well, which was a relief. They seemed to be getting over the trauma of being taken away from the people who’d come to mean the world to them. Ricky’s friend Tex had obviously done something, because Addison and Ricky had gotten word that their adoption of the trio was moving along at a faster pace than before.
Addison was grateful for the assistance, even while admitting that she and Ricky were in a place of privilege. Most people who wanted to adopt kids had to wait much longer and the process was far more arduous.
And as usual, just when things seemed to be going well in her world, life had a way of intervening…making sure she knew at any time her circumstances could change on a dime.
Addison was in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on the Minion cupcakes she was making for a birthday party at the local bowling alley. They were adorable, if Addison said so herself. She’d used twinkies cut in half on top of each cupcake, blue icing, and Smarties for eyeballs. Add in some black icing piped around the eyes to make glasses, a dab for an eyeball and a smile, and voila! Instant minion. They were easy to make, but more importantly, super fun and something Addison hadn’t made before.
She’d just taken the last of the pictures she wanted to use for her website and social media when her phone rang.
Wiping her hands, she saw it was Ricky calling. She wasn’t immediately alarmed because he called her all the time to check on her.
“Hey,” she said with a happy lilt in her voice.
“Hey,” Ricky returned.
She immediately tensed. He didn’t sound like his usual easygoing self. “What’s wrong?”
“We got word. We’ll be headed out in the morning.”
Addison swallowed hard. They both knew this was coming, but it was still difficult to hear. She did her best to not sound as sad and worried as she felt deep inside. “All right. What do you need from me?”
Ricky was silent for a moment, then he sighed. “You’re amazing.”
Addison frowned in confusion. “What?”
“I know this is hard for you. It is for me too. I don’t want to go, but I don’t have a choice. You have every reason to be freaking out. To be upset that I’m leaving. But instead, your first instinct is to ask what I need from you. I don’t deserve you, Addy. The best decision I ever made was asking you to be my wife.”
“Ricky,” she protested.
“I’m serious.”
“And the best thing I did was say yes,” she returned. “We knew this was coming. Hell, you’re a SEAL, being deployed comes with the territory. We’ve prepared the kids as much as we can, and as you’ve pointed out time and time again, I have a ton of people who can help with anything that comes up. I’m not thrilled you’ll be away, and I’ll imagine all sorts of awful things that you’re doing while you’re gone. But I have to have faith that you’ll come home safe and sound.”
“I will,” Ricky said firmly.
Addison knew as well as he did that he couldn’t promise any such thing. But she didn’t call him on it.
“I’m just glad,” he went on, “that we have a little advanced notice. The last couple of missions we went on, the asshole in charge didn’t give us more than an hour. I can pick up all the kids from school today if you want.”
“Are you sure?” Addison asked.
“Of course. It’s not a problem. Anything else you need me to grab on my way home?”
Her heart melted. He was leaving in less than twenty-four hours on what was surely going to be a dangerous mission, if the intense preparations had been any indication, and he was askingherif she needed anything.
“No, I think we’re good. I just went to the store today.”
“All right, but if you think of anything, let me know,” Ricky said.
