Page 8 of Colton
Her eyebrows are creeping up to her hairline. “In the city…Grandview, maybe.”
“Grandview school district,” I tell Cara. “Make sure it’s newer, or newly renovated. Empty and quick close. I want to get her moved in by the end of the week.”
“On it,” Cara mutters. I’m sure she’s already texting with our realtor, getting things organized.
Ransom’s raspy voice comes over the line. “Colt. Mia and Evie. Are they ok?”
I look over, meeting Evie’s startled eyes, then look at the still sleeping Mia. How the fuck she’s sleeping through being hauled around, I have no idea.
“I’ve got ‘em. They’re ok.”
He exhales heavily. “Good. Get them back here.”
I smile, knowing that he’s been thinking about them, too. Worrying. Maybe not as much as I have, though. “Will do brother.”
Disconnecting, I open up my phone, and create a new contact, then hand it over to Sonja. “Put your phone number in. I’ll call you in a day or two to plan for your move.”
She takes the phone but makes no move to enter her info. “I…I don’t understand what’s happening.”
Right. Steamrolling. Apparently, it’s a habit. “How much do you pay in rent here?”
“Ah, six hundred.” She says.
My lips curl into a snarl before I wipe it off and put on my friendly face. “I’m going to be your new landlord. Rent, utilities included, is five hundred. You’ll be moving to Grandview Heights by the end of the week.”
She stares at me, eyes wide, brow furrowed for a good minute. Then, I see her pride kicking in, her objections about to roll off her tongue. I don’t have time for it. Evie’s leaning on the wall looking even grayer and I need to take care of her.
“Sonja. I see you have a bunch of worries. Let me lay some of them to rest. I have a lot of money. I could buy all the condos in Grandview, and not even notice a dip in my bank account. Let me spend it the way I want. I’ll give you a long-term lease, and you don’t have to worry about your grandkids getting shot in their beds. It’ll be fully furnished, down to the pots in the cupboard. And your rent will never go up, as long as you live there.” Then, going for the killer close, I finish with “Imagine the education your grandkids will get. Aren’t they worth it?”
I’m a manipulative bastard, so sue me. It works. Within minutes, we’re leaving a grateful, teary Sonja, and moving back down the hall. I lay a hand on a dazed Evie’s shoulder, gently nudging her against the wall. Leaning in close, careful of the sleeping Mia, I whisper against her temple. “Honey, you look like you’re about to pass out. I can’t risk you and that precious baby falling down the stairs. So I’m going to carry you both down to the car. Ok?”
I don’t wait for her agreement or objection, sliding my arm around her back and legs, and scooping her into my arms. Her arms tighten reflexively on Mia. “You got her?” I ask. She nods, so I head for the exit.
The walk to the car is a blur because all I can think about is how good she smells, how much heavier she should be, and how perfect Mia’s skin is. Not a fucking pore in sight. She’s got the most perfect little mouth. I don’t really know what a rosebud mouth is, but it seems to be the standard of beauty, and fact…Mia’s the most beautiful little girl in the world. I’m conscious of Evie’s eyes on me, but I can’t look at her. My emotions are all over the place, so I shove them to the side and focus on the mission. Get to the fucking car.
I watch Mia like she’s a bomb, afraid to jiggle or startle her, so I breathe a sigh of relief when we get to the Escalade. I carefully lower Evie next to the open door. She wets her lips, her face a little less pale. “Thank you.”
I nod, “Welcome,” I mutter, then gesture to the open door. “Climb on in. We’ll get going.”
She leans in, eyes widening when she sees the pink car seat strapped in the middle. Finally, she looks back at me and gifts me with her smile. I have to grip the door tighter as my fucking knees get weak. I didn’t know that could happen from just a smile.
Color me fucking surprised.
She crawls in and carefully straps Mia in. “Watch your fucking eyes.” I snap at Marco, who quickly pulls his gaze away from her ass. His job is to watch the area, not look at my woman’s ass.
The woman’s ass, I mean.
Not mine, because I just met her and that would be crazy.
Once Mia’s settled and Evie’s belted in, I jog around and climb in on the other side. The guys hop in the front, and we’re on our way.
I lean forward to talk to Marco. “Hit up a drive-thru for food, first one you see.”
Mia’s still sleeping peacefully, and it’s freaking me out. “How can she still be sleeping? Is she ok?”
Evie’s stroking her little arm with the tip of her finger. “She missed a good chunk of sleep last night, so she’s exhausted. But she’s gotten used to sleeping through all kinds of things.”
“Why?” I ask.
