I turned around to see Aria pulling her mother away from Jensen.
“I think we brought one of the monsters to the U.S. with us,” Sawyer murmured.
“I’m seeing glimpses of it too,” I told him and Taylor.
“Don’t let her climb all over those kids, Michael,” Sawyer said.
Anna walked to the SUV alone while Aria and Jensen walked behind her.
“I won’t. I will say this is somewhat concerning to see her like this with him. She’s barely said anything to the other kids.”
“Get him to a doctor today, Michael. He needs treatment,” Sawyer said.
“I will. I’m going to take him to the house and let him see his siblings, then get him something to eat and a shower. You two go home and get some sleep. Come over to the house around four and we can discuss things.”
“See you at four,” Taylor said.
Taylor and Sawyer walked toward the SUV I had waiting for them, and I walked toward the Escalade. I took a few deep breaths and prayed for Anna’s own safety that she didn’t try my patience. I knew for a fact that she wouldn’t like my irritated side.
* * *
Jensen’s siblings were ecstatic to be reunited with him. The kids were quiet during breakfast, but it was because they were all eating and grateful for the food. Sawyer and Taylor were right, though; these kids were all rail thin. Anna hadn’t joined us, as she said she needed to phone some friends back in Sweden to let them know Jensen had been found.
I found this rather odd, considering Aria said her mother knew no one who would be able to assist her and the kids by getting them to the airport. I leaned back in the chair at the head of the kitchen table and watched Anna wander on the deck with her ear glued to the phone. It bothered me immensely that she was more animated while on the phone than she had been with her own children over the past few days. I had to stop looking at her because she was irritating the fuck out of me. I turned away and focused on everyone at the table.
“Coop, while I’m out with Jensen and their mother, will you help Robin with the bedding for Jensen’s bed?”
“Yeah.”
“Then you can play video games with Alek and Bowden. And please help Robin keep an eye on the girls.”
“Okay.”
Cooper was always wanting to prove that he was growing up and could handle things. He could start by helping out our nanny, Robin, and keeping a good eye on things. I’d already arranged for two of my security guys to stay at the gate to our home to also keep an eye out. For the foreseeable future, this was how it was going to be. At least until I had a handle on what the fuck was up with Aria’s father and what exactly he was involved in.
“Weston and Irving will also be around,” I told Cooper. He sighed loudly, and I shot him a warning look.
“I don’t know why you can’t just trust me,” he said, trying to defend his obnoxious sighing.
“I trust you to do what I’ve asked you to do. I trust Weston and Irving to make sure no uninvited guests come over.”
“I won’t have anyone over.”
I smiled at him and nodded. It was still out of reach for his fourteen-year-old mind to grasp that I didn’t mean his little friends but rather anyone who might want to do harm to me by getting to my family.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that all of Aria’s siblings helped Robin clear the table. Alek even started to brush crumbs off the table with his hands into Jensen’s hands.
“Boys.” Alek and Jensen looked at me immediately, waiting for instructions. I shook my head at them. “You don’t need to do that. Robin will do that part. All I expect of you is what you’ve already done, and that’s clear the plates. Okay?”
Both nodded and then went to the trash can to toss the crumbs away. I glanced outside, and Anna was smiling and laughing while on the phone. I quickly looked at Aria and took hold of her hand. She pulled her attention away from the bridal magazine Robin had picked up for her this morning.
“What would you like to do today, sweetheart?”
“Well, I thought that maybe we could do lunch and possibly look at some of this wedding stuff.”
The idea of an elaborate wedding was exciting to her. Whatever she wanted, no matter the cost, she’d have it.
“We can do that. I need to get Jensen taken care of first. Then you and I can have a quiet lunch together. Alone.”
