Deacon (The Sovereign Mountain, #3)

by Raya Morris Edwards

I think, whether it’s a sign or not, I’m going to make it one.

It’s been a while since I got laid, and I have a feeling it’ll be a while until I do again. I’m going to wait for her.

I’m dying for a glimpse of Freya. I think, for the first time in my life, I’ll go to church. I won’t go inside—that’s a step too far—but I’ll watch her walk in. When I realize that, it starts to sink in that this is real, and I’m ready to do some desperate things.

I see something through the general store window—a bolt of soft green fabric, the same color she always wears. It wouldn’t be strange for me to buy it because, if I’m being upfront, I have a whole trunk in the attic of little things that remind me of her. I can’t help it. Everything I see that reminds me of her makes me feel like this could be more than delusion.

This whole acquiring a woman thing takes longer than I expected.

I have a problem. But I don’t have a problem with it.

“Deacon, I just came to give you the dog,” I gasp. “You gave me a boner too,” he murmurs.

“I’m getting Freya back.” Jensen’s face stays the same. “She lost or something?” “No, she’s at Aiden’s house,” I say. “I’m thinking I might acquire her from there.” “Like kidnap her or something?” I nod.

I want my family back, and I’m going to make it everyone’s problem until she’s safe in my arms.

The anger I’ve pushed down for years boils over. Without thinking, I surge forward and swipe at him.

Yeah this seems to be exactly the right time to do this, you know when you’re pretty sure you’re pregnant…. It’s a great time to hit a violent psycho 🙄

Deacon once said he didn’t want to have to choose between his land and me, but I’m afraid he’s going to have to. And I know what he’ll choose, even if it breaks him. My finger traces over my belly. He’ll pick us.

Rage floods my veins. He took my wife and my baby.

I love even H’s call the h their wife even tho they’re not 😭

There are so many things I can’t control, but that doesn’t scare me anymore. He’ll handle it, like he handles everything else. He’ll take care of me and the babies we have together. He’s so good at caring for people.

I found somebody to love me the way my heart wants to be loved. For the first time, I’m a girl with a future worth living for.

“Tell me what it looks like,” I whisper. He shifts onto the bed, stretching out to face me. “Our future?” I nod. He draws me closer, letting me curl up against his chest. When I turn my head, I can hear his heart thump under my ear. “It looks like you being happy,” he says. “We have a family. I’ll get you the help you need so that you still have time to do whatever you want. You can collect bugs. Hell, you can go to college and study bugs if you want.” I laugh. “I’m happy to just collect,” I whisper. “I don’t want my life to be complicated. All I want is peace.” “I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you get that,” he promises.

The generations of people who came before me were mired in pain. I thought that avoiding men like Deacon would save me, but I was completely wrong about him. He might look rough, but inside, he’s the purist person I’ve met. He’s the cycle breaker, the person who steps in and changes everything.

For all his faults and questionable choices in the past, Deacon was made to care for a family. He’s the most selfless man I’ve ever met.

I think about her the entire time I’m in the shower, but I’m always thinking about her. I never stop marveling at how much she’s changed my life. I went from being lonely every night to having a full house. Never in my wildest dreams did I dare to hope my life would end up this good.