Limitless Love (Lotus House #4)(5)

Kyle’s words so vile.

“You’re nothing but a filthy, greedy bitch.”

“That beaker baby is not my daughter. Never was, never will be.”

“Take all the money and put her up for adoption when you’re dead.”

“What happens now?” I asked Mila.

Atlas placed a hand on my lower leg near my foot and rubbed from ankle to knee. “We take care of you and Lily. That bastard is never going to get to you with me around.”

A knock on the door broke through our little huddle, and two men in suits walked in.

Atlas turned around, stood in front of me, and crossed his arms, making sure to show his brawn. I tried to smile at his possessive move but couldn’t through the pounding ache throbbing everywhere. Even my feet hurt, and nothing had happened to them.

“Who are you and what do you want?” he demanded.

“We need a few words with the victim.” One of the men looked down at a notepad. “A Ms. Holland?”

“That’s Dr. Monet Holland, and I think she’s dealt with enough tonight. Don’t you?” Mila stood up next to Atlas, creating a wall in front of the men.

“We understand, but when it comes to these types of attacks, it’s best to get the victim’s statement when it’s as fresh as possible.”

Victim.

That was what I was now. A victim.

“It’s fine, guys. I’ll be okay.” I’d rather get it over with. “Give me a few minutes, gentlemen.” I gestured to the detectives. The two men nodded and made their way out of the room.

I grabbed Mila’s wrist. “Who has Lily?”

“Uh, we had to move quick, and I was with a friend when Mila called,” Atlas answered while rubbing at the back of his neck.

“A friend?” I queried.

“Yeah, Clay.”

“Clayton Hart has my daughter?” I was unable to mask the shock in my voice.

Atlas looked down and away sheepishly. “He’s reputable.”

“That may be, but he’s never met her. Wasn’t she scared?” My goodness, my poor baby with a man she’d never met as her aunt and uncle left her to see her mom in the hospital. This was so messed up.

“Nope. It was the weirdest thing. I introduced her, and they stood in front of one another, squaring off, and then she grabbed his hand and asked if he liked secret gardens.”

I closed my eyes.

“What can I say? Lily’s easy to love.” Atlas shrugged.

“Yes, she is. Can you please go relieve him and send my thanks?” I asked Atlas.

Atlas nodded. “Come on, baby.”

Mila tugged her hand out of his. “No way. I’m not leaving the hospital until Moe leaves.”

“Wildcat,” he growled in what could only be taken as a warning. A man who didn’t want to be separated from his woman. Lovely to witness.

“Curly, back off. This is my sister, lying in a hospital bed, skewered like a fish on a hook, with detectives staring at her. And let’s not forget. She almost died. Died! I’m staying.” Her face turned red and she fisted her hands at her sides.

Atlas lifted up her fists, smoothed out her fingers, and kissed each hand. “I’ll be back in the morning with Lily and breakfast for both of you. Try to get some rest.” He shifted forward and pecked her on the lips, and then he kissed his fingertips and placed them over her stomach.

I knew it.

The two men entered as Atlas made his way out the door. “Dr. Holland, can we please ask you a few questions now? Then we’ll be out of your hair and you can rest.”

I sighed and sank back into the pillow. “I’m ready. Let’s get this over with.”





Chapter Two





Anahata is Sanskrit for the fourth chakra in the chakra system. The word means “unhurt.” The name implies that beneath the hurts and grievances of past experiences lies a pure and spiritual place where no hurt exists.

CLAYTON



I’d never been more scared in my thirty years on this earth than when I was sitting on the floor in a little girl’s room while she pranced around in some type of fairy-ballerina-meets-Barbie-queen-of-hearts type getup.

“Clay, you’re da king and I’m da queen, ’kay?” Lily plopped a plastic crown on my head. I blinked and sat silently until she spun around, put her hands on her hips, and frowned. “You’re ’posed to say ’kay.”

“Uh, okay?” This was some fucked-up shit. How I got conned into taking care of Monet’s daughter, the one I absolutely did not want to even meet after finding out about her last year, was jacked. I wanted Monet back then. With her sexy body, flowing black hair, and unique features, I was all in with one glance. And we hit it off right away too. Until I found out she had a child. Then all bets were off. The last thing I needed was to be roped into a situation like I’d had with Stacey. Hell, no. That bitch did a number on me. One I’d spent years getting over.

Did I want children? Hell, yeah. Always had. I just didn’t know how to fix that piece in me that died after Stacey’s lies and betrayal. And yet there I sat, taking care of the child of the woman I’d brushed off, a plastic crown on my head, pretending to be a king.

A brilliant smile adorned Lily’s face while she assessed me. Hell if I couldn’t ward off the arrow that pierced straight through my gut. I rubbed at the tender spot, not understanding the new feeling.