Fractured Affections (The Affections Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

how can he complete a huge job like that, in such a short period of time? Something doesn’t add up. What does that have to do with Striker? He still has not said why he asked him here. I can feel the panic slightly creep into my chest, and I become angry that he is the cause. Not only has he lied all these years about Striker, but now he wants to leave me and the boys for his business. I close my eyes and begin to count, so I can respond as calmly as possible.
    “This doesn’t make any sense. How can this job only last a few weeks to a few months? And what does this have to do with Striker being here? How can you catch me off guard like this, Dalton? You don’t do these types of things. You always keep me in the loop about business contracts. Have you seen yourself lately? You have been working too much, as it is. You look so tired all the time. I’ve already been worried about you. Now you come to me with this and the fact that you’ve been lying to me all these years. What the hell Dalton?”
    “I’m sorry Rea, what else can I say?” He asks.
    I reach up and place my hands on his cheeks, still angry, but trying to understand what is going on.
    “Please take a moment to step back and focus on what we decided would always be number one to us. It was never the money. It was always our family.” I rise from my seat and head to the kitchen sink, leaning my hands on the edge of the counter and look out across our backyard.
    “Reagan, I’ll make sure to take better care of myself, I promise. While I’m there, I will do everything I can to come back to you my normal self. That is why I asked Striker to come here. I need him to stay with you guys and run things, while I am out of town. If he is here, I only have to concentrate on the job in Texas, which is a lot less than I do here while managing multiple jobs at once.”
    “Huh? Stay with us! What? I can handle him being in the area. I can work through him being involved with business operations, but stay with us? Have you lost your mind?” I can’t even turn to look at him. I’m so confused. What the hell is he thinking? He knows better than to expect me to willingly let someone move into our home, with no time to adjust to the idea, especially Striker. I need time to build up my defenses. I need to be able to protect my heart and my family. I certainly need time to adjust, so I don’t act like I did the other day when he was here.
    He replies while coming up behind me. “Look, baby, I know all of this is sudden, but listen to me. You have trusted me, all these years, to do what is best for everyone. You have always let me take the lead, and knowing how little you can trust others, it means the world to me. I need to take this job. I feel like it’s the best move for our family. I hate to leave you and the boys. You guys are my world, especially you, my sweet Rea. I have loved you since the day we met in the woods. That’s why Striker is here. Even though he has been absent all these years, I know that he will protect you guys, just as I would. I will sleep easier, while being states apart, knowing that you guys have him here with you.”
    I feel his strong arms wrap around my waist. I’m a wreck on the inside. I can’t imagine Dalton not being a part of our daily routine for as long as a few months. What if I need him? He is my rock. He keeps me grounded. The boys need him. Even though he works a lot, he has never neglected the boys’ needs. He is always home for dinner and homework. He has never missed a baseball game. The boys look forward to their weekends together, whether it is hanging out in the backyard, playing around, or traveling to a local pond, a few properties over, and spending their day fishing. They will miss that.
    I will miss that. When he is with the boys, it gives me the break I need to regain a balance, so that I don’t lose my mind. How can I handle three boys, by myself, for that length of time? I know Striker will be here, but I