t. Cade parked the beat-up Ford pickup outside their apartment buildi

ont door of the apa

table. The metal jingled loudly in the quiet house. He started to unbutton the

rectly to the center of the living room rug, turned around, cro

aightened his spine, his jaw tightening into that familiar,

demanded. Her voice was flat, c

ely dropped to the breast pocket of his unifor

d, his voice a low

gaze without blinking. "I am the woman o

ces? You just spent the last three months before t

hot back, her eyes flashing with fresh anger. "I cut t

finger. "Rule number one: From today on

comes directly to me. I will buy the groceries. I will make sure Leo ha

ll slowly. He was analyzing her, trying to find

le cent unaccounted for, if you find out I gave a penny to Creola or D

The only sound was the ticking of

of him just an hour ago, using her small body to shield him from her mother's toxic de

, he lowered his ha

edges was white-knuckled. He walked across the living room, stopping mere inches away from her

but didn't let go wh

of the blue book. As she pulled it toward her, her knuckles brushed against the

id next week, I'll bring the cash home to you. But hear me now-I will check the ledger every single week. If I find out you fun

t just money. This was his blood, sweat, and tears. This was a massive

up. Her eyes burne

hispered, her voic

nic flashed across his stoic features. He was a lethal so

ck, tactical

hop wood," h

ly fled toward the back door, the s

ook flat against her chest, right over her racing heart.