Redemption Road (Vicious Cycle #2)(39)

When a man who had clearly had too much to drink bumped into me, a scream burst from my lips before I could think better of it. Rev rushed forward, grabbing the man by the throat and pinning him to the side of one of the booths. “What the f*ck are you doing hitting her like that?” Rev demanded as his broad chest rose and fell with harsh pants.

The man’s blue eyes widened in fear as he took in both Rev’s imposing size and the menacing expression on his face. “N-Nothing. I swear.”

Feeling ashamed at my overreaction, I tentatively reached out to touch Rev’s arm. “It’s okay. Rev, he didn’t mean anything by it,” I said softly, trying to calm him down. This hair-trigger-temper side of him wasn’t something I was used to seeing, and if I was honest with myself, it was a little alarming.

Whether it was because of my touch or my reassurances that I was fine, I didn’t know, but Rev calmed down enough to release the man. He apologized repeatedly as he stumbled away from us. For a few seconds Rev refused to look at me. When he finally did, his features had returned to normal. “I’m sorry about that.”

“It’s okay.”

He shook his head. “No, it isn’t. I scared you, which is the last thing I wanted to do.”

I closed the gap between us. “I would be lying if I said that scene just now didn’t alarm me.” Staring up into his apologetic blue eyes, I added, “You just seemed so different.”

“In my world, I have to be violent to get things done.”

Although there was regret on his face, his tone was matter-of-fact. I realized then that there was so much more to Rev than I had originally imagined, and I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to know everything.

“Guess we better head out,” Rev said, breaking the tense silence between us.

“Okay,” I murmured. As I clutched the dog he had won me tightly against my chest, I let him start leading us out of the fair.

Just before we got to the exit, Rev abruptly stopped. “Can I have just a few more minutes?” he asked.

“Of course.”

He took my hand and led me over to one of the few booths that were close to the exit. I watched as he handed over some tickets and then started to play. It wasn’t a shooting game, but Rev still managed to master it.

When the guy asked what prize, I half expected Rev to turn to me. Instead, he pointed to a green alligator wearing a pink tutu and ballet slippers. When he turned back to me, he wore an accomplished smile.

“Just who is that alligator for, Casanova?”

He laughed. “It’s for my niece, Willow. She’s a ballerina.”

I stared at him in surprise at that; he had never mentioned having a niece. From his tone when he spoke about her, coupled with the fact that he had gone to the trouble to win something for her, it was obvious he loved her very much.

“How old is she?”

“Six going on sixteen.”

I smiled at his summation. “I bet she’s crazy about you.”

“What makes you say that?”

“If you’re as kind and devoted with her as you are with me, then she would have no reason not to be crazy about you.”

With a grin, Rev replied, “I can’t speak for her, but I do know I’m crazy about her. She’s been such a blessing to my family since she came to live with us a year ago.” At what must’ve been my surprised expression, Rev proceeded to tell me all about his niece’s tragic early years with a drug-addicted mother, her mother’s murder, and how she came to live with his older brother, Deacon.

“Poor thing,” I murmured as we started out of the exit.

“She’s the most amazing little girl. Smart, funny, and sweet. Resilient as hell. You’d never know by seeing her now that she’d ever been through such hard times.” He cut his gaze over to mine. “I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

His words sent a surge of warmth through my chest. I couldn’t help feeling grateful he wanted me to meet the niece he adored. Suddenly it felt like we were as connected as we had been during most of this trip, and the discomfort I’d felt when he confronted the guy back at the carnival disappeared. Now our bond seemed even stronger.

“I can’t wait to meet her, either.” I motioned to the alligator. “And to see her reaction to her present.”

“It’s not much, but I know she would be pissed if I was gone and didn’t bring her back anything.”

“She’ll adore it.”

Rev stared down at the alligator. “I just hope I have a kid like her one day.”

I sucked in a harsh breath—hearing him state his desire to have children felt the same as if someone had punched me in the gut. In truth, it was more like someone drove a dagger into my chest. I had once spoken with the same conviction about children as Rev had. I guess it wasn’t too surprising he wanted a family—the vast majority of people did. It was more about the way he had said the words, the desire that resonated in his tone. There was not a doubt in my mind that he would make a wonderful father.

While I could hear Breakneck’s words that it wasn’t impossible for me to be a mother, it did little to make me feel better.

Thankfully, we arrived at the car then, and if Rev realized how his words had stung me, he didn’t let on. I was glad he hadn’t. I’d always hated having someone’s pity, especially Rev’s.