“Hope was safe. I made sure she was safe.”
“Woman, why weren’t you safe with her? You should have sought shelter with the kids. Instead, you told them to get safe while you stayed with the dead man.”
“He isn’t a man.”
“I don’t care what he was. He had a knife and was threatening to hurt you. What you’re supposed to do is seek shelter and let security deal with him.”
“That kid wasn’t a real threat.”
The vein on the side of Max’s neck pops out. “You never know what an addict can do. They’re unpredictable. Why am I even fighting with you? You don’t engage. You seek shelter and let me come for you. End of discussion.”
This overprotective man is getting on my nerves. “I am not a weak, helpless child.”
“No, you’re the woman I love. You’re my entire world. Let me protect you. Woman, let me do my job caring for you. It doesn’t matter what you could have done. I need to know that you’re safe, always.”
The sentiment is sweet. “You can’t put me in a protective bubble. Bad things happen.”
“Not to you, they don’t. Not anymore.”
If only that were true. I place my hand on his cheek. “I love you too.”
“Saying it isn’t going to get you out of trouble.” He smiles at me anyway. “But you can say it again.”
“I love you.” That little ball of dread builds in me. How long can I handle waiting for him to find out?
Addicts
Max
“Dad, you got her.” Hope rushes up with Dash in her arms as we walk into Maddox’s office. “I was so worried.”
“Fiona is fine.” Though my heart might never be the same after the scare she gave me.
“Perfectly fine.” She steps up next to me. “It wasn’t really scary. One of the kids just threw a temper tantrum. It happens on occasion. We followed protocol, and everything turned out just fine. You don’t need to worry.”
Part of me loves that she’s trying to protect my daughter even now. The other part of me wants to shout at her until she has more of a sense of self-preservation. “I need to go do something with Maddox.” Take care of those addicts. “Hope, make sure Fiona stays here with you.”
Fiona’s eyes go wide. She’s going to have things to say to me later…and they won’t be good.
Not that I care as long as she’s safe. “I’ll be back in a little bit. Call Daria when it’s safe so you two can start packing.”
Before she can lose her mind, I walk out of the office and back down to the street.
“Things seem to be under control now.” Maddox walks over to me. “The kids are down in the sewers.”
Like literally?
“How’s Fiona?”
Livid with me. “She’s fine. He didn’t hurt her, but he planned to, I think. She wouldn’t answer a direct question when I asked.”
“Fiona won’t. She gets all mama bear with these kids, even the ones that don’t deserve it. Wanna join us while we find out why these kids just suddenly decided to tear up my home?”
“Oh yeah. And I should tell you, Sasha Kamenev offered his services, if you should need them.”
“He’s offering to…” Maddox shakes his head.
“Oh yeah. All but the little one.”
