I stepped in front of Zeus and bared my teeth at him. “Keep your eyes to yourself.”
Zeus glanced at Hades, and they laughed again. Unlike Zeus, Hades’ half mask had the bottom of a skull printed on it and was made of hard plastic, while the one Zeus wore was more of a bandana.
“We’re not here to cause problems. We like our partnership with Ric.” He held out his hand. “The money?”
I handed the package to him and glared. “Now get out.”
Zeus jerked his head toward the door. Hades and the other guys backed out, but Zeus glanced toward Phoenix again. “He’s really pretty. If you get bored with him—”
“Get. The. Fuck. Out.” I pushed at his shoulder and shoved him, and his laughter filled the sanctuary.
He left after that without further issues, and I locked the doors behind them. I rushed back to Phoenix, who met me halfway and hugged me. He shook and I hated the fear he visibly felt, so I held him tightly.
“Who were they, Daddy?”
“No one important, baby boy. I’m sorry.”
He shook his head. “It’s okay, Daddy. Are you all right?”
“Perfect now that they’re gone.” I tilted his chin and kissed him gently. Eventually I would need to tell him the truth, but for now I wanted to keep him in the dark, away from the danger. At least, for as long as possible. “Let’s go home.”
“I’d like that, Daddy.”
15
PHOENIX
Cleaning had always been calmingfor me. I scrubbed at the countertop next to the sink in the kitchen while the dishes from dinner soaked in soapy water and the scent of fresh lemons hung in the air. I stared at the spot where I moved the dishrag in a circle and tried not to think—to forget—but my nose tingled and my eyes burned with tears I held back.
Mom’s dead. Mom’s gone.
Huffing, I tossed the dishrag into the full sink and the splash sent soap suds flying out everywhere.
“Don’t you want to see your friend Jesse?” Daddy asked from somewhere behind me. “Is that why you’re upset?” I hated how he sounded uncertain because he was always supposed to have the answers to life’s problems.
What was I supposed to say to a question like that? I braced my hands against the counter and hung my head. “Yes, I want to see him.”And no, I don’t.Jesse being in the house I shared with Daddy was too strange, and all sorts of memories and emotions stomped around in my mind, making it impossible to think.
Daddy slid his arms around my waist. I leaned against him, and he hummed out a positive sound as he hugged me close, then slipped his hand down to rub my belly. I was surprised at how much I liked that. “I’m right here.”
“I know,” I murmured.
“Do you?” He turned me in his arms, and I fought... though not much. I didn’t want to see whatever expression twisted up his face—concern, irritation.I couldn’t deal with my own emotions, let alone his. When I glanced up, none of my worst fears had come true. He hadn’t suddenly transformed into someone who would be furious with me for not feeling okay, and his smile had some of the tension uncoiling in my belly. His lips quirked in the corner as he urged me over a couple of steps, and I gasped as he lifted me and plopped me on the counter. I wasn’t heavy, but I wasn’t a feather, either. The display of strength had my stomach warming a bit.
Daddy leaned in and kissed my cheeks, across my chin, my forehead, and even pressed his lips to my eyelids. He brushed his mouth along my jaw, down to my neck, and blew a raspberry that made me shove at him a little. He obviously wanted to make me smile, but I couldn’t right now.
“I’m here for you, boy. Nothing will happen while I’m here.” He studied my eyes, and I stared right back into his sincere brown ones and nodded. He patted my knees and moved to the sink. A protest stuck in the back of my throat as he began to wash the few dishes from dinner. I didn’t like him doing chores when I could. Me wanting to serve him was probably a habit left over from years of doing it, but at the same time it was one small thing I could do to show him my appreciation. I liked making his life easier.
Kicking my feet made Daddy give me a glance out of the corner of his eye, and while he didn’t get angry often, I wanted to stay on his good side, so I stopped. But the nervous energy only got worse with my body still, so I hopped down and grabbed the broom out of the corner and began to sweep the kitchen floor.
“What time is my friend stopping over, Daddy?” I asked.
“He said a bit after eight. About an hour.”
I nodded, and when I was finished sweeping the floor I moved on to dusting furniture, then started a load of laundry. Daddy didn’t stop me from cleaning the bathroom within an inch of its life, and I was folding towels when there was a knock on the front door. I sagged against the dryer at the sound of Daddy letting people into the house, and cheerful hellos in familiar tones rang out. That was definitely more than one person. Jesse hadn’t said he was bringing anyone else with him. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. This shouldn’t be scary, but my heart hammered. The sound of feet shuffling in the hallway nearby made me want to sink through the floor.
“Oh, good Lord, honey, it is you! Dave! It is Phoenix!” Mrs. Bordelon let out a shrill squeal and danced in place.
Snapping my attention to her only a few feet away, I drank in the sight of her face. Her curly brown hair was up in a high ponytail, the same way she’d always worn it when I was little, and she didn’t appear much different, except for some crow’s feet around her eyes. Even the pink sundress that fluttered around her knees and the matching hoop earrings were typical of things she’d always worn. My throat nearly closed as she came at me with her arms open, and I let out a sob while giving her a hug. She squeezed me close, and the soft, friendly embrace reminded me of Mrs. Sabbatini, Daddy’s mom. She ran her fingers through the back of my hair and squished me to her chest. “Dave, come here!” she bellowed, and I laughed as she unclenched her hold on me and I was able to step back.
