Page 13 of Broken Prince
What the hell ever prompted me to get involved with the leader’s daughter of one of the shadiest gangs in Florida? I know, alcohol, and a lot of it.
Best and worst mistake of my life.
As I park the car and get out, Stacy steps out of the house. As shitty of a mood I was in before, everything shifts when I see Bentley’s curly black hair and chubby little cheeks. That little boy makes my whole world so damn bright.
“Hey, my little man,” I coo, earning a high-pitched squeal of happiness from him.
Stacy cringes, then glares down at Bentley. “Do you have to be so loud?” she asks him in a forced coo and it grates my nerves. I want to snatch him right out of her arms and take him home with me, but I know I can’t, and it fucking kills me.
He shouldn’t be here at all. The only reason she has him for any amount of time is because she’s his mother. I don’t even think she actually wants him, but she loves the fact she can use him as leverage over me whenever she damn well pleases.
“Here’s his hat.” I hold it out to her.
“Look, Bent, Daddy brought you your favorite hat!” she gushes like it’s the best news in the world. I roll my eyes at her over-the-top bullshit. I hate that nickname. He’s eight months old, he doesn’t have a favorite hat. You could put a damn birthday hat on him, and he would love it.
“Anyway, I gotta go. I’ll be back at ten in the morning to get him.”
Her face falls, and she pouts. “Don’t you want to stay and hang out with us? I know he misses his daddy.”
“And I miss him too. Always do when he’s not with me. But it’s my week starting tomorrow. I’ll be back in the morning.”
If she wasn’t such a toxic person, I’d try to, at the very least, be friends. But that’s not the case with her. She’s a narcissist, gas lighter, and all-around evil person.
Her father is literally a killer, a man who runs a gang of killers. Right now, I’m surrounded by men who could kill me in a blink of an eye. Hell, even Stacy could if she really wanted to.
Knowing I have to leave my son in their care every other week makes me sick. She has no idea, but I’ve been working really fucking hard on figuring out how to get full custody without having a hit put on my head.
“So going out and partying with your little football buddies is more important than spending time with your son?” she scoffs. “Nice. Real nice.”
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and keep what I really want to say to myself. “I love you, Benny. Daddy will see you tomorrow.” I kiss my fingers and press it to his little cheek.
He gurgles happily, and I can’t help but smile.
As I get into my car and pull out of the driveway, my eyes are on my son. It kills me like I’m leaving a piece of my heart behind.
I never planned on being a dad in my early twenties. Going to college and working towards an NFL career were my priorities, but I wouldn’t change having Benny for the world.
He’s my everything. I’d die for him, do anything to give him the life he deserves, to see him happy.
I’m so close to having it all.
Yet, with Delaney coming into my life, it’s just another distraction I can’t afford.
Even if it’s one hell of a distraction.
Chapter 3
Delaney
As soon as Logan’s car disappears down the driveway and out of sight, I stand and head towards the front door.
The summer sun beats down, warming my skin to the touch. The plan was to go check out the pool, but when I came down the stairs, Elijah and Owen were in the kitchen.
Yes, I was a chicken, turned around, and went the other way to avoid them. After the conversationlast night, I don’t know how to act around them just yet.
I’ve hardly processed all this new information. And the fact I dreamed about them again last night wouldn’t make looking them in the eye very easy.
So, with my book in hand, I came out front to hide. The fountain is stunning, and the sound of the water is relaxing.