Beyond Appearances

Damn You Woman

Johnny's POV

I can only stand there. That woman has a damning effect on me, and she knows it. She walks away swaying her hips, with an evil grin on her face.

I rattled her when I asked if Hunter was her "boy toy." I don't think she was expecting me to be that forward. I had to know though, I wasn't going to pine after her like an idiot, especially if she was taken. Yet we aren't anything, so I can't be upset anyways."

Hunter seemed chill. Your typical southern boy. Farmer's tan, hat hair, well built. He'd be good for V. Better than I'll ever be. I've got nothing to bring to the table. I have a gang related past that haunts me, a daughter, and I'm definitely not raking in the dinero.

Veronica isn't a prize to be won, but I can't help but feel like Hunter loves her, and I can't just let what we have go. She's got a piece of my heart. She's just not your typical woman. She's strong, outspoken, and the way she treats Valentina. She's going to have me in a puddle pretty soon.

I don't want to be too forward if she doesn't feel the same way, and ruin the only true friendship I've had in years. Sarah and Trent are more family than friends. I was afraid I was going to lose her when Mariana showed up. I don't usually let my temper rage like that, but seeing that little itty bitty bruise on Valentina's face sent me overboard.

Valentina deserves someone who is going to love her, and I believe Veronica will. What woman comes over at 8:30 at night to do face masks just so I can work on getting full custody? She doesn't know how much the little gestures she does mean to me.

I can't get her frizzy hair, beautiful chocolate eyes, and killer curves out of my head. The problem I face is if she will actually want me after she knows about my past. It's not something I like to share. I'm ashamed of it, and am striving to prove to myself that I'm not some cholo. That I am a good man, who will do great things, and give my baby girl the world.

After the little meeting I make the hike home, with Valentina curled up in my arms. Staying for a couple of beers, and her running around with Landry and Jr. pooped her out. Thank goodness, for having Sarah and the kids so close, they make it so Valentina gets to act like a real kid.

I lay her in her tiny little bed, and head for the shower. A cold shower is a nightly thing for me with Veronica being around. My personal member needs to get a grip. I'm starting to miss my warm showers.

I put on my boxers, and head for my bed. Getting up at 7:00 has become easier over the years. Just as I start to doze off, I hear Valentina whimper and cry. I'm out of the bed quicker than a bullet.

I rush to her door, and peer inside. She's having a nightmare. I hate seeing her toss and turn having to go through that. I walk in and sit on the bed. I reach out and rub her little head. She wakes up and sits up tears streaming down her face.

"Daddy!" My heart breaks. "I'm here baby. I'm here." I clutch her to my chest, rubbing her head. She stops crying, but I can tell she's scared. "What was your dream about?" She goes still in my arms. "I don't want to talk about it."

I've started to notice that she's been having nightmares every weekend she comes over. It breaks my heart. Obviously something is going wrong at Marianna's because she never used to have them.

This is definitely the last straw. I'm not going to send her back to her mother. She wants mommy time, well she's getting it permanently.

I look down in my arms to see she fell back asleep. I lay her back down, kiss her head, and walk out. I go back to my room, and lay in bed. There's no way I'm going to get any sleep. I'll be too busy racking my brain about how to continue in the custody case, and how to get Valentina's dreams happy again.

A/N: Sorry this chapter is so short, and it probably sucks. But I tried to let y'all in Johnny's head. Please let me know what y'all thought. Vote and comment!❤️❤️❤️