Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers Book 3) by Ahren Sanders (inspirational books for women .TXT) 📕

“Who wants cocktails?” Dante sings, bringing all attention his way. He’s rolling out a tray loaded with options. “Oh, God, are they getting gushy already?”

“No, they have turned her against me. My children are demons.” Annie huffs, winking at me.

“I’ll help,” Darby offers, leaving Pierce’s side.

“Should she be on her feet?” Ryanne whispers.

“I’m fine,” Darby insists, overhearing.

“She’s good at that,” Maya adds, “plus she’s stubborn.”

“I’m only good at it because my family likes to talk behind my back. And stop listening to your dad. I’m not stubborn.”

“Well, we just met but it has to be said; you look like you’re about to pop.”

“Oh my God, will everyone stop!”

“Nope, get your ass off your feet,” Pierce demands, “or I’ll get you off them.”

Darby snaps her eyes to him and tosses her hair over her shoulder, going to the door. “You act like a caveman, you’re sleeping with Cole tonight.”

“We’ll see.” Pierce grins in a sexy way that shows he’s not concerned.

“Here we go,” Cole utters, looking amused.

“Evin, I have a truck full of equipment. You and Poppy want to tell me where it goes?” Warren breaks in.

My joyful mood dulls. “Take it back to your house. I don’t want any of it.”

Evin stands, his eyes dancing as he brushes his fingers through my hair, speaking to his dad. “Let’s get it inside.”

“Seriously, Evin, I don’t want a wheelchair. We weren’t even using the one in Vegas. I’ll compromise he can leave the shower seat.”

I don’t add that the shower seat is only for when Evin doesn’t shower with me and support my weight.

“Rexwell gave me orders to have one here. You don’t use it, fine, but it’s staying.”

“I agree, Popsy. All these pregnant women can’t handle you if you fall. Better to be safe for the sake of the next generation,” Dante chirps.

“No one asked you,” I gripe, knowing he’s right. The wheelchair is a precaution.

“We brought you something that might help bring that smile back.” Lynda produces a bag out of nowhere, handing it over. Devin clutches it on my lap, gnawing on the edge.

I glance inside and my emotions take another swing. Inside is a new yoga mat, blocks, elastic bands, and an inflatable medicine ball. “Thank you,” is all I can say over my scratchy throat.

“Evin said you left your things back in Vegas. These are for your home training.”

“They are perfect.” I raise my eyes to the woman and her husband considered a part of the extended Graham family, trying to control the urge to burst into tears.

She acts fast, hugging me so my face is hidden, and giving me time to suck in a few deep breaths. “You’re where you need to be. We are all pushing until you dance again.”

I nod, beating down the reaction at her kindness. That’s it, she’s said it. I want to dance again. And at this moment, it hits me hard. I will dance again. No matter what. “I will dance again,” comes out raspy.

She backs away, her eyes warm with love.

“Y’all about done? The martinis are ready,” Annie calls.

“Shit, you’ll need the wheelchair tonight if you have one of those.”

“Then bring it in.” I glance up at him. “Let’s enjoy our welcome home.”

Chapter 31

Evin

“Be back in a while. You need anything, call me.” I kiss Poppy, rubbing my thumb across her cheek.

“I will,” she smiles, “stop worrying.”

“Seriously, leave already.” Ryanne points to the door, scowling. “Go have a beer, or five, order our food and give me some alone time. This is my last night with my best friend for weeks!”

“Got him.” Dante presses on my shoulder, cutting his eyes to the door. “Let’s go.”

He follows me, sliding into my truck, and before I’m out of the space, he’s barking, “Dude, what is up with you?”

“Dude?” I crook an eyebrow.

“Yes, you’re even more protective than normal, and that’s saying a lot.”

I grip the back of my neck, feeling the sharp tension that’s been a dull ache all day. “Don’t know what it is, but something’s off.”

“Something’s off? Care to elaborate? From where I stand, everything is coming together perfectly.”

“Marco called early this morning.”

“So? He contacts you every day.”

“No, man, he called,” I emphasize the word, “didn’t text. And he did it from a secure, unavailable number.”

“What the hell?”

“Exactly, gave me some bullshit excuse.”

“And you don’t believe it?”

“I didn’t exactly care. He asked about Poppy’s appointment with Rexwell, which I’d already reported to him through text. But he pried deeper, wanting to know specific details on her rehabilitation here in South Carolina.”

“The man’s been prying since day one.”

“This was different. He changed the tune of the conversation by getting personal. He asked things about my house, a security system, the safety of the neighborhood, shit like that. Then he wanted to know if someone was going to be with Poppy when I wasn’t around.”

Dante sits up straighter, twisting to face me. “Be with her how?”

“When I questioned that shit, he backtracked, covering by offering a private nurse if needed.”

“A nurse? Pips doesn’t need a nurse.”

“Exactly, and he knows it.”

“What else did he want?”

“I was waiting for him to ask to speak to her, figuring that’s why he called, but he never did. He hung up with the standard ‘take care of her’.”

“The same way he ends his daily texts?”

“Yes, but it was his tone. It was assertive like he was giving me an order and there was a hint of worry.”

“Well, he wasted his breath there. Shit, I hate to say this, but have you thought about Natasha?”

“It was my first thought.” I clench the wheel tighter. Anger burns in my blood thinking about how Tasha dodged the protection order by leaving town. It’s hard to prove someone is stalking you when they are across the world.

I debate sharing the next piece of news, but if my instincts are onto something, Dante needs to be in the loop.

“There’s something else.”

“From Marco?”

“No, I got a call from a longtime client today while