Neither Brody nor Connor moved or broke eye contact. It was Tyson, standing off to the side like a referee, who filled in the entire class. “Brody says he has a pet cat that killed two bad guys after they broke into his house. Which is bullshit.”
Behind me, Ava gasped. “He said a bad word.”
Brody trembled now. Did he realize he’d made a mistake, speaking of his Hosiak hunting cat? His small hands were balled into tight fists at his sides as Connor stood his ground.
Tyson dropped another truth bomb. “He also said you’re his new dad.”
My heart ached for the struggle I saw in Brody’s face. His eyes were too old, too serious, for such a small body. I didn’t know if Krystal would approve or not, but this was one claim I could respond to. “I am. His—Ms. James is my—” Fuck. I almost said ‘mate.’ I was a terrible liar. Never felt the need in the past. I searched my knowledge of the human language for a term the children would understand. “Fiancée. She is my fiancée.”
A chorus of ‘oooooh’s and excited clapping erupted from the children.
Ava appeared at my side. “Is your fiancée making you sleep on the couch?”
“No.”
Chloe stood on tip-toe and peered at me over Ava’s shoulder. “If you’re getting married, why are you so sad?”
“I’m not sad.”
“You looked sad,” Ava insisted.
Gods help me. Where all human females this difficult from such a young age?
I glanced at the bright red Power Ranger bandage on the back of my hand and my chest tightened. Perhaps. But they grew into fascinating, beautiful, irresistible females like my mate.
Brody had abandoned his standoff with Connor and stood before me, hands on his hips. “Why are you sad about being with my mother?”
Connor and Tyson, who seconds ago had been at odds with Brody, now stood on either side of him in a unified front.
“I’m not sad.”
Brody sighed, his brown eyes locked on mine. “Yes, you are.”
Fuck. I was not having this conversation with him in front of an entire classroom of children. Of course he’d noticed my struggle with my beast. Centuries of Elite Hunters’ blood ran in his veins. I would have to sit down and explain everything to him. Tell him enough about my time as a prisoner that he understood. For now, I said what I could in front of the others. “If I am, it has nothing to do with your mother.”
Long seconds went by as he watched me. Assessing. “Okay.”
How did such small humans cause me such stress? “Everyone clean up. Lunch in five minutes.”
The children scrambled, excited to get the fuck out of there. I felt exactly the same way. I needed to see Krystal. Touch her. Smell her. Hear her voice. Know she was safe.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
“Knock, knock! Hello?” Mrs. C opened the door and walked into the room without waiting for a response. A few of the children glanced her way, but they all ignored her, intent on being ready for food and time on the playground.
“Mrs. C. How can I be of assistance?”
She grinned up at me as a second woman walked in behind her.
Thank the gods. Lady Radu had returned.
Mrs. C smiled. “I just wanted to introduce the children to Mrs. Radu.” She clapped her hands together to get the students’ attention. “Everyone, this is Mrs. Radu. She will be taking over as your teacher tomorrow.”
I was oddly warmed by the handful of objections that circulated among the children. Brody’s gaze sought mine, stark terror in his gaze. I hurried to reassure him. “Do not worry, everyone. I will still be here.”
“You will?” Mrs. C asked.
“Of course.” I tore my gaze from Brody’s as Lady Radu looked around the room, paying special attention to the boys. Would she know which of them we’d been sent here to protect? “I will start me new job as a security guard tomorrow. I will be here every single day.”
