I scrub my hand down my face, “Nikolai is unpredictable on his best day, who knows what this is going to bring. Dec, I want our security detail doubled. I want a minimum of three guys on each of us at all times. Especially the twins. I want them inside the school. Fuck, stand in the back of the damn class. Nikolai thinks he’s crazy? That motherfucker can’t even comprehend the crazy I’ll unleash if he so much as breathes in one of your directions. And for the love of all things holy,delete Natasha’s number out your fucking phone!” Turning to Mac I lift my chin, “Good job, Mac. Let us know if there’s any more chatter. Nikolai likes to hear himself speak. If he’s going to make a move he’ll talk about it first. I’ll call the Capo and let him know what we’ve got.”
With our plan in place Dec and Mac make their way out of the office. Dec gets to the doorway and stops at the threshold and turns to face me, “Be careful Roe, I know you really like this chick, and that’s cool. All I can say is think long and hard before you bring her into this shit storm that’s brewing.” With that he shuts my door behind him and my hands instantly go to my temples. What the hell am I thinking? I can’t taint her and Rhett with this life. As my thoughts start spiraling my phone vibrates. Picking it up and opening the text. It’s a group chat between my brothers and I.
Kieran: “The tutor just showed up. You guys better hurry up, I’m already catching on quicker than all of you combined.”
Flynn: “You fucking wish. Do I need to remind you who signed ‘vagina’ instead of ‘pizza’ yesterday? Because it sure as fuck wasn’t us.”
Declan: “I’m coming, don’t start without me or I swear I’ll shave your head in your sleep.”
Kieran: “@Flynn IT WAS ONE TIME!”
Mac: “I’m locking up the tech room now. She’s early, you guys can wait.”
Sully: “I’m pulling in now! I got stuck at a red light.”
Yeah, I think the safest place for those two might be with us after all. Pushing to my feet I start to walk to the living room, as I shoot off a text. Nolan follows behind me, because, yes,my staff as well as every soldier on the grounds has to learn too.
Rowan: “You guys fight worse now than when we were all kids. That being said, if I get down there and you guys already started I’m changing the locks. Oh and none of you fuckers have caught on as quick as me I’ll be damned if you guys can talk to my kid better than I can.”
* * *
I’m back at my desk combing through finance reports from our legitimate businesses later that evening. Taking off my glasses to rub the bridge of my nose, my head begins to hurt from staring at the papers too long. I only allow myself to wear glasses when I’m in for the night. Glasses are a hazard in my line of work and it takes nothing to knock them off. Since my eyesight actually is pretty bad without assistance, contacts are my only logical option. My mind is in a tailspin, it feels like I’m running a million miles an hour. I’m unable to settle my thoughts or focus enough to get these reports done. I haven’t talked to Clara all day, and I want to know how their day went.
My fingers itch to bring up her number and call her. It’s not late, they’re definitely still awake. Allowing myself to ponder it for a few more seconds my anxiety wins out. I just need to hear her voice, to know her and Rhett are okay. Bringing the phone to my ear I’m hoping she picks up, “Hello?” That’s all it takes. One word from that sweet voice to settle deep into my psyche and begin to calm me.
“How was your day, Pretty Girl?”
“Uneventful, I’m cleaning up dinner right now, then I’ll have to go. Rhett and I have a date with a bunch of blankets, pillows, and a movie. How was your day?” She sounds unsure of herself and I hate that.
I want to help her build herself up enough so she knows she never has to be unsure of anything. Especially not us. Clara Saunders is a goddess and I intend to give her all the tools for her to raise up and rule my kingdom. Smiling at the phone like a loon, “Same, I’m going over reports right now. I haven’t had a chance to text you today so I figured I’d call. How was Bear’s day?” The smile in her voice is palpable as she tells me about Rhett’s day with the babysitter. Apparently he climbed to the very top slide at the park today, and even turtle made the journey with him. My chest constricts and a sensation of belonging washes through me.
“Well, it seems the adventures of Bear and turtle were a huge success today.”
She laughs quietly then sobers, “Hey Rowan?”
My guard goes up by the tone of her voice, “Yes, Pretty Girl.”
“Why us? You seem like the perfect guy. Surely you have your pick of any girl out there. Why would you want the damaged single mom who keeps you at an arm’s length?”
I smile, this is an easy question, “The other girls don’t even exist anymore. Since the day I first laid eyes on you, you’re all I see. I know this is fast, but Clara, when you know you know…. And I definitely know.” I hear her take a sharp inhale. Silence on the other line has me waiting on a baited breath.
“Do you want to come over and watch a movie with Rhett and I?”
A huge smile splits my face, “I’ll be there in ten.”
8
Chapter Eight
Clara
Idefinitely know.”I’m biting the corner of my thumbnail as I wait for Rhett to come back from brushing his teeth and washing his face. As soon as Rowan ended the call I let Rhett know our new friend was coming to watch a movie with us. He’s so excited he brought out all his blankets and pillows already. There’s a knock on the front door the same time Rhett comes barreling into the room. Signing to him.“Rowan’s here. Settle. Time for relaxing.”He lays down under the blankets and snuggles in the middle of the pillows. Shooting me a thumbs up and turning to the TV.
Taking a deep breath I swing the door open and if I thought suit Rowan was hot, ‘Basketball shorts and a gray t-shirt with thick black rimmed glasses sitting perfectly on the bridge of his nose’ Rowan turns me into ash from just being in hisproximity. Those glasses shouldn’t make my panties drop like this. He smirks at me, “You going to invite me in?” Picking my jaw and metaphorical panties off the floor I move aside so he can come in. He kisses my forehead then smiles and moves around the couch to Rhett. He has a bag behind his back. What is that? Before I can ask Rowan toes off his shoes, sits, and sets the bag beside them.
He sits cross legged facing Rhett and lifts his hands. Tears form in my eyes as I watch him sign to my son,“Hey, Little Bear. I brought a gift for you.”
Rhett looks at me then back to Rowan, he’s cautious and looks skeptical as he signs,”Why? Did you do something wrong?”Rowan looks up at me confused and I translate for him.
