Page 109 of When You Became Mine

They used poor kids they knew would do anything for a few bucks and sent out letters requesting sponsorship. They’d managed to amass quite a large number of donors and stay under the radar of the government.

But Josiah had slipped up and landed on the government’s watch list.

And on Pieters and Lawson’s caseload.

It was pure coincidence that Smith had met Hampton at a bar one night.

And it was unfortunate for my best friend that Smith couldn’t resist the opportunity for one more con. And when Smith and Josiah had realized he could get his hands on drugs easily and sell them for a pretty profit, well, he hadn’t wasted any time taking advantage.

Lawson groaned and sat up in the bed, pulling me with him. “Let’s get this over with.”

“Can’t we call in sick?” I murmured.

He chuckled and pressed his lips to mine, his tongue licking the seam of my lips, and I opened for him. I always opened for him. He kissed me deep, his tongue swirling with mine. I was just beginning to melt for the third time that day when he pulled away. “What would we say? ‘Sorry, Mom, got tied up. No, really, Piper’s into some kinky shit and she tied me to the bed. I’ll catch ya next time.’?”

I slapped at his chest and laughed. “You know, tying you up might be kind of fun.”

“The only person who’s getting tied up is you.” He smirked. “Play your cards right, maybe we’ll try that tonight.”

“Piper!” Mrs. Reed squealed, wrapping her arms around me. “Your mother just told me the good news! When do you go back to work?”

I grinned as she pulled back and cupped my face in her hands. “Next week.”

It had taken a couple of weeks, but Mr. Wheeler had been able to file an emergency hearing with the board to get my license reinstated.

“Are you going back to Philadelphia?” she asked, the smile on her face widening.

“No.” I shook my head. “They filled my spot when I had my license suspended.”

Her face fell. “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry.”

“I’m not!” Georgia piped up from her seat at the table.

I stood on my toes and stuck my tongue out at her over Mrs. Reed’s shoulder.

“Why’s everyone standing around? Peg, isn’t dinner ready?” Mr. Reed bellowed.

I rounded the table a

nd threw my arms around his shoulders, catching him off guard. But it was me who was shocked when he pulled me in close and whispered in my ear, “Glad you’re okay, honey.”

I leaned back and peered into brown eyes that were the exact replica of Lawson’s. He winked as he released his hold on me and shouted again, “Hampton! Get your ass to this table. Your mama’s been cookin’ all damn day long and I’m starving.”

I glanced over at where Georgia sat, her eyes wide as saucers at her father’s unusual display of affection, and shrugged a shoulder.

Once we’d all claimed our seats and Mrs. Reed had begun bringing her parade of dishes to the table I cautioned a glance in Hampton’s direction.

My heart ached at what I saw.

His face was stretched thin. It was apparent he hadn’t been eating regularly. There were circles under his eyes that were so dark I wondered if they weren’t painted on there. But, worse than the physical changes that had occurred in barely a month’s time, was his eyes.

They were vacant.

The sparkle of mischief that had always been present in his emerald green eyes was gone. Like a candle that had been snuffed out. It hurt to look at him this way.

“Ham?” I said gently. When he didn’t look away from whatever spot he was staring at on the wall behind me, I tried again. “Hammy?”

Finally, our gazes locked and an understanding passed between us.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com