SAMANTHA POV "I can't believe she is already three weeks old. Time is moving a little too fast," I grumble as I look down at my sleeping daughter. Daniel glances my way in the rearview mirror, and I see my emotions mirrored in his eyes. "I know, baby. But she can't stay squishy and small forever. We will make the most of it while we can," Daniel says, and my ears catch the slight note of excitement in his voice. "Mr. Daniel Gray, what do you have planned," I ask, and he grins. "Well, I knew today would be rough. So I scheduled a little photo shoot after we leave the doctor's office. I packed a change of clothes for us in the diaper bag. I picked matching clothes...Lauren approved, don't worry," Daniel says as he sees my face when he mentions clothes. "Really," I ask, and he nods. "You mentioned that you wanted to get pictures done, so I called a local bear shifter. She works as a photographer in town. She is going to meet us after we leave Dr. Hurst's office. I
SAMANTHA POV "The pictures are absolutely beautiful, Sam. I can't believe I still haven't met her, and she is over a month old. I do have a vacation week coming up, and I plan on spending the entire week there. Ever since I let Adam go, I have had to fill that position myself. I was hoping to be retired by now, but maybe in a few more years. Anyway, I can't just get up and leave like I used to, or I would have already taken a trip up there. Don't think I am a terrible grandfather. I promise it's just because of work, not because I don't care," Andrew says, and I laugh. "Stop stressing, Andrew. I don't think that at all. I know the company is demanding, especially during this season. On a little note, I have some exciting news. I have started looking at some blueprints for homes. Daniel and I plan on getting married soon, so we will be combining our land. We are going to build a big house in the middle for us and our ranch hands to share," I say excitedly, and he pauses. "Ran
SAMANTHA POV I spend the next hour reading and crying like a baby, only to learn that for the rest of 1974, my grandmother got no news about Grace. Kyle began walking, and my horrendous grandfather did force my grandmother into being intimate with him. He didn't get violent with her, and she didn't verbally refuse. But any sane person could tell she wasn't truly a willing participant. She only allowed him to touch her so that her daughter could remain safe. She did get to leave their bedroom for brief periods of time during the day. So that is a positive. After I finished that diary, Angelica woke up fussy. I fed her and changed her just for her to fall right back asleep. Now I am on to diary number two, and my palms are sweaty just thinking about it. The last few pages of diary one were left blank. I don't know if that means she lost it for a while or if she just decided to end that one, but it makes me nervous. I have no idea what awaits me in this book, but I fear it w
ADAM POV Rated R violence (skip if needed) "Mr. Polk, did you hear anything I just said? Ms. Layne's attorney is requesting we consider mediation instead of going to court. They are offering to take child support off the table if you agree," my attorney says, getting snappy with me. I ignore his attitude. I dislike dealing with him. My mother hired him. She loves him and brags that he is the best in town. I can't stand him. He is like a male version of her. I reread the paternity test for what seems like the hundredth, and he sighs out in annoyance. Angelica Renae Polk-Layne 99.9% match to Adam Curtis Polk. My mother was wrong. So wrong about Angelica not being mine. Of course, she was wrong. Samantha would have never slept around. Especially not with my father. What was I thinking? I listened to that snake for so long, and for what? So I could climb the social hierarchy? I never wanted that. I want something real. I wanted to love someone and have them love me back. I'm
ADAM POV Acting normally is easy. I have been at work all day secretly smirking about the fact my mother's body is probably being torn apart by alligators by now. God bless the Everglades. Last night after a few hours of numb meditation, I formulated a plan. First, I needed to get rid of Margaret's body. The longer it stayed at my house, the more evidence, so I wrapped it in a blanket and pulled my truck into the garage so no one would see me load it up. Then I headed out to a remote fishing spot that is thick with gators. I left my cellphone at home, so if the cops ever check my cell's location, it will show I was home all night. I used an old cinderblock as a weight and bye-bye, Margaret. I drove her car and her cell back to the Hotel she has been staying at and caught the bus home. No one should look for her for a while. Not even dad since they aren't on speaking terms. "Hey Adam, have you had a chance to go over that problem Hugh was talking about," Bryan asks from behind m
DANIEL POV "Sam," I call as I open the door to our little oasis. I focus on trying to keep my voice down just in case Angelica is sleeping, but that thought immediately leaves my mind as my eyes spot at least a dozen lit candles scattered around our room. Rose petals are all over the bed, and the room is heavy with Sam's aroused scent. "Sam," I growl loudly as the door slams behind me. Just seeing what she has done to our room has me completely forgetting the conversation I just had with my brother. Pair that with the scent of her arousal...my dick is trying to break the zipper on my jeans. "Yes," Sam calls coyly from the restroom, and I growl again. My muscles are tight and ready to spring. I want to lavish her. I have waited patiently for so long, but now my wolf and I have reached our breaking point. "Come out," I growl, moving towards the door like a predator. "Nope...(laughs)... Sit down on the bed. I want you in your boxers," Sam orders after laugh
SAMANTHA POV "Benji, are you sure? I mean, maybe if you went looking for her again," I suggest, and he shakes his head. "No. It was hard enough catching her the first time. If she wanted me, she would have followed me home. I took the easiest route here, and I made sure to leave my scent heavily along the way. I...I have accepted the fact she doesn't want me," he says while trying to hide the pain in his voice. I sigh, and he lifts his gaze from Angelica's sleeping face. "I know you are trying to be strong, but it's okay to show us that you are hurting, Benji. In fact, it might help you feel strong if you start telling us the truth about how you feel," I say just as my phone starts to ring. He looks relieved at the sound of the interruption, and I scowl as I reach for the phone. "You aren't off the hook," I mumble, and he smirks before standing and walking towards the bassinet to lay Angelica down. "Hello," I answer without looking at the caller ID. "Hey, Sam," Andr
ADAM POV RATED R (TRIGGER WARNING) My head screams as I pull at my hair with my left hand. I groan out in frustration before slamming my other hand against the steering wheel. I have driven past my parent's house countless times since dad called me a few days ago, but I still can't think of a solution. Ever since he called, I have been unable to sleep or eat. I haven't been back to work, and I didn't answer when they called my phone. I can't calm myself down. I had no idea dad would care about her not responding to her attorney. I thought he would be happy she was leaving him alone. Now I have to worry about him filing a missing person's report. But I can't get rid of him. He isn't like mom. He works. People expect to see him every day of the week. If he goes missing people will notice, and then they will try to find Margaret. I've dug myself a hole that I don't think I can get out of. I'm going to have to act fast...maybe after I get Sam to accept my apology, we can cross