by S. K. Hardy
Isaac stood and grabbed his jacket. Walking over to stand beside Darrell, he gazed down at his granddaughters. “They’re absolutely beautiful, Darrell. I don’t know if it’s just me, but they favor Tina quite a bit.”
Darrell paused briefly while reaching for the baby powder, then gave a terse nod. “Yeah, that’s what me and Jerra said too.”
Hesitating for only a brief moment, Isaac placed a hand on Darrell’s shoulder. Although Darrell tensed, he didn’t pull away.
“You have a wonderful, family. I’m sure you already know that, though. I want to thank you again for inviting me and your uncle into your home, and giving me a chance to meet my granddaughters.”
Jerra watched them in silence while snapping Harper’s onesie back in place.
The tick in Darrell’s jaw became noticeably pronounced. He finally lifted his eyes to his father and uncle, his look steady and piercing in its intensity. “You’re welcome. But that’s exactly what this is. A chance. You’ll only get one.” He divided his attention between the two men. The look in his eyes told them he meant every word. “Don’t make me regret it.”
The tension in the room turned thick before Isaac smiled and broke the ice. He looked like Darrell so much in that moment that Jerra caught her breath.
“I understand. We’re very grateful.”
Surprising Jerra, he came over and kissed the top of her head. “I’ve always wanted a daughter. From what I’ve seen you’re a spectacular wife and mother, Jerra. I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.”
Jerra’s eyes darted towards Darrell then back to Isaac’s tall frame. Taken off guard, she was unsure as to how to respond, so she simply nodded and said, “Thank you.”
Darrell’s gaze followed his father and uncle as they walked out of the nursery. He picked Hailey up and gently laid her down in her crib, before taking Harper from Jerra and placing her beside her sister. After kissing them both, he turned and curled an arm around Jerra’s waist as they stared at their daughters.
“So what’s your take on those two?” He jerked his head in the direction of the bedroom door Isaac and Joseph had just left out of.
“Well, if I had to give you my gut feeling, I’d say that maybe they’re genuine in their desire to be a part of our family. Only time will tell.”
When he didn’t respond, Jerra looked up at him and saw that he was still staring at the doorway, his jaw set and head tilted as if mentally working something out in his mind that didn’t want to shift into place.
Jerra bit the inside of her lip, sensing his agitation. “Baby, what’s wrong? Are you having second thoughts about inviting them here?
Darrell blinked and took a deep breath as if consciously forcing himself to relax. “Let’s just say I’m keeping my guard up. Isaac’s got a slick mouth, knows how to say all the right things. That doesn’t blind me to who and what he is.” His voice lowered as he added, “Or what he’s capable of.”
Jerra’s eyes searched his face. Although he was speaking of Isaac, she knew he was thinking about his mother. She struggled to find the right words to say to him, because even after all this time, Darrell rarely spoke of Tina.
“Tina wasn’t perfect. She may have made some mistakes, but she loved you, Darrell. I think your father does too.”
“Maybe. You know, it’s funny, at first he said he didn’t know anything about the secret Tina had, then all of a sudden he gives me some bullshit story that may or may not be true. Lorenzo swears Isaac wants to make amends, but…” Darrell looked at the doorway again and shrugged.
Slipping both her arms around his waist, Jerra looked up at him. “Can I tell you something? I’m proud of you.”
Darrell caressed the side of her face, the clouds lifting from his grey eyes as he stared at her, leaving them soft and full of love. “Where did that come from?”
“I just wanted you to know that. I’m so lucky to have you in my life as my husband, the father of my children, and my best friend. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Darrell’s throat worked with the effort to control the emotions he felt at hearing those words. “I’m the lucky one,” he managed to get out in a thick voice. “You and my kids are my life. Thank you for not giving up on me.”
Jerra sighed contently. “Never.”
She didn’t like to think about the time they’d been apart, but she had needed that, had needed to step back for a moment and press pause. She was only human. After she’d recharged and gotten things back into perspective, she knew she had no other choice but to pull her sleeves up and step back into the ring for the next round of Monroe vs. Monroe. They’d both suffered a few bumps and bruises, and minor abrasions along the way, but they were no worse for the wear. She and Darrell were strong people, but they were also damaged from their pasts. The situations they’d endured…well, most people would never experience them in their lifetime. Giving up on him…on them…was not an option.
Standing on tiptoe, she pressed her lips against his for a quick kiss before taking his hand. “Ready to go back downstairs to our friends and family?”
Darrell brought their joined hands up to his mouth and kissed her fingertips one by one. “Most definitely.”
Author’s Note
THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING TOTAL ECLIPSE! I hope you enjoyed the SIN CITY HEAT as much as I enjoyed writing it. This series will always have a very special place in my heart as will the characters: MARCUS & ALEESHA BENNETT, DARRELL & JERRA MONROE, DOMINICK & KEISHA SPAIN, and ANGELO & NICOLE LACROIX.
I’m leaning towards this being the last book in the SIN CITY HEAT saga. However, this will not be the last time we see everyone. I feel that Angelo has so much more to say, so we will see other books/possibly a series featuring him. The next series I plan on starting is THE PATTELS. Darrell Monroe is one of them now, so expect to see him as well as the other beloved characters in either one or both of these future books.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping to make this series so much more than I ever imagined when it started off as an online short story. I appreciate you!
Much luv,
SK
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 47
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
CHAPTER 44
CHAPTER 45
CHAPTER 46
CHAPTER 47
CHAPTER 48
CHAPTER 49
CHAPTER 50
CHAPTER 51
CHAPTER 52
CHAPTER 53
CHAPTER 54
CHAPTER 55
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