Page 114 of Broken
Dakota glanced at Providence. “What does Mom say?”
“Mom says the more the merrier,” Providence replied with a smile.
“How many friends?” Dakota asked.
“Just one,” his daughter answered.
“That’s fine, honey.”
With a grin, she scampered inside. Providence curled up on the sofa next to Dakota, then eyed the toddlers.
“Fast friends,” Providence said.
“They’re doing great,” Prescott agreed.
“How are you handling insta-parenting?” Dakota asked.
“Minute by minute.” Prescott sipped the whiskey.
“Our conversations have always been shop talk,” Dakota said. “Tonight, it’s been all about the boys.”
Providence took Dakota’s lowball glass, sipped the whiskey. “There’s more to life than work. You’ve got more in common, now.” She handed Dakota back the drink.
“I’ve got two BLACK OPS missions I want to run by you,” Dakota said before tossing back a mouthful of liquor.
Providence chuckled. “And we’re back to work.”
“You know Ideclinedyour job offer,” Prescott replied.
“This group isperfectfor you,” Dakota pushed.
“I don’t want to be responsible—”
“Thank you fornottalking shop within earshot of the boys.” Providence patted her husband’s thigh.
“I gotta listen to myrealboss,” Dakota said with a smile. “Have you taken your yacht out this season?”
“A few times,” Prescott replied.
“That might be fun for you and Ethan to do together,” Dakota added.
“I can’t take him boating alone,” Prescott said. “For a little thing, he’s so damn fast. One minute he’s playing in the family room, the next, he’s upstairs in his bedroom.”
“We’ve always got eyes on Gray,” Dakota said. “Sammy’s easier now—”
“My mama-bear radar is always on,” Providence added.
Prescott sipped the Glenfiddich. “I wanted to let you know that Ethan isn’t fully potty trained. He’s got the peeing down, but he likes to do his business in his diaper, then swap it out for a clean one.”
“We just finished the pooping phase with Graham,” Providence said, “but he wears a pull-on diaper at night.”
Prescott started laughing. “I can’t believe I’m even having this conversation.”
“I admire what you’re doing,” Providence said. “You had options.”
“I considered giving him up for adoption, but I couldn’t do it. He lost his dad when he was a baby, now his mom. He was just getting comfortable with me and my family, especially my mom and dad. I couldn’t send him away. I’m ruthless enough. I couldn’t add abandoning him to my long list of atrocities.”
“Mommy,” Graham called out, “can me and Ethan watch a movie?”
