Stronger

Amaria POV:

I watched them walk together hand in hand Christian cradled against her chest and mind though I had been trying not to think of him still yet he entered my

mind.

*21 years ago

“Please just hold him he’s crying for you!” I chased after him as he went through his ledger for the month.

Had been crying all day and I knew he wanted his father, but I knew his father didn’t want anything to do with him.

“I’ll pay attention when he can remember my name,” Deacon would tell me.

I have been so exhausted staying up with Grayson all night and didn’t want to do any of the midnight meetings and it wasn’t commonplace for my husband to do that, especially, my husband. I had dug the points of my claws into his arm. I hadn’t meant to but it did feel good

He wrenched his arm away from me and kept walking, not even sparing me a second glance.

I watched those two hand in hand and thank God that they had each other. My son had ⚫ overcome his fragile childhood fears to love the beautiful woman that now adored his child.

Made all those nights with Deacon bearable all those days I spent begging him to be better to try and make him see the light that all we needed to do was leave behind a good pack for son,. the way he would in his response, disgust blanketing his features.

I would even endure the nights after he left when Grayson would cry himself to sleep, waiting for his father to come home. I sat outside his room and listened to him, forcing myself to listen to every last gut–wrenching sound.

I woke up and was gone. The relief that flooded me was otherworldly. I checked our account

sure enough he had taken the money, just like I’d told him to do. my son was strong enough to survive this, and I would help him rebuild. Now look how far we come.

I went back to my house. The two children were still at school again. My mind dried back.

*15 years ago

“I don’t care I’m busy do you not see the mountain of paperwork I have? Go. Show. Your. mother.” And yanked Grayson his arm out of his office and slammed the door.

Pounded on it furiously “How dare you speak to him like that your son!” I screeched. Still, the door didn’t open to me. I picked up my Preschooler and sat him down on my lap.

“Shhhh shhhshhsshh,” I rubbed his back. ” do not listen to what your father says no attention to the things he does., he is not a man, you are a man look at how mighty you are,” I held up his arms small as they were. you could break trees with these clear in half.!”

Joyous giggles filled my ears and replaced his heartbreaking whimpers. I would never let my husband’s anger, pride, and greed break my baby no matter how hard Deacon tried.

Knowing what he was planning I knew he was going to kill Grayson. If he had a chance, I knew he probably thought I was too old and docile to defend him I’ll let him think that his game one last time no one is going to take his life. We strive so hard to build. He should’ve

stayed in his cave where he was safe.

It was that prideful streak in him that had brought him back to us that need to prove he was “everything he said he was, I never once doubted him.

I was still betting on my son, I’d bet his wife too that fire inside of her that she kept quiet for so long, awake roaring and ready to take anybody who is willing to step into the flames. I was ready to watch and if anybody got close enough, I snapped their neck before they could say

but.

I still had all those files and dark deeds my husband ever did. I kept track and even gathered a few more over the years, I had to have a little insurance in case he ever came knocking. Buried out back was every shady blue–collar crime every business partner that just happened

to go missing or back out of a deal for some odd unknown reason.

Second, I sized him up and realized what he really was. I made it my mission in life to bring

him down, and I had settled once for just getting him out, not this time. No this time he paid

with blood.

I feel like any woman would do the same thing in my situation. If they’re deadbeat asshole

ex–husband came back and tried to take everything from them again. They rip out his throat

too. so no one would blame me least of all my son.

Assumed Grayson would be the one to finish the job, but he should be far more scared of me. I’m the one who knows him best, I’m the one who knows all his dirty little secrets, and I’m

the one with the longest list.

I walked down to my basement where I’ve been keeping my little pet. I caught him lurking

around my backyard. He was good to get past our defenses stupid to come near my house.

anything else you remember about my ex–husband?” I asked him.

The PI shivered in his cell. He shook his head vigorously.

I tutted my tongue against my teeth. ” you don’t want me to let my claws out again do you?

He slammed Back up against the wall.

“What else do you know?”

he’ll kill me,”

“I’ll kill you might as well buy yourself a few more days,” I sighed and pierced him with my

gaze.

“Offshore accounts, Barbados,” he whimpered.

“Number,” I pressed.

He remained quiet for a second too long, so I extended one of

my claws.

“Nnnnnngh. 56390.” He finally relented.

“See how easy that works, imagine if you were just in the first place,”

I Got up and filled up his water, it’s amazing what a man will do if you just poke his sciatic

a

nerve with your claw. Should’ve done that to Deacon.

I’d let Grayson know I had this fool in a day or two once I had gotten everything I needed out

of him. He could tell us how he got in, and my son would say to the rest.

I’m sure he’ll need counseling one day, but don’t we all?