She swallowed heavily, then nodded. “Okay, Northie, it’s about time you learned. No, no, you don’t do it like that. See? This bit goes into this piece and then we can slowly build up walls.”
“Shouldn’t you follow the instructions?” North asked, looking through the booklet.
“Pfft. Instructions are for wimps. We’re brave soldiers. We got this. Where is the fun in following instructions?”
“Umm.” North gazed up at Jared as he grabbed everything and backed away. “Perhaps you should stay.”
“No, no, you got this.” Jared walked away. “I’ll check up on the two of you later.”
He could have sworn that North gave him a betrayed look. But he was certain that he imagined that.
“Have fun!”
“Time for bed,”Jared announced as he walked into the living room later on that evening.
He wasn’t any further ahead in figuring out Rex’s death, but he knew that he couldn’t do much more tonight. His brain was fried and he needed some sleep.
Angie glanced up from where she was lying on the sofa.
North had helped her make some creations with her Lego. Then after lunch, they’d come downstairs so that Angie could read while the two of them worked.
It had been a quiet, sad day.
She shook her head.
Jared raised his eyebrows. “Yes. Sleep. It’s past your bedtime.”
“Pfft, that’s silly, Daddy. I don’t have a bedtime.”
“Ahh, yes, you do. It’s ten and it’s close to that. So, bed.” He gave her a stern look.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “That feels like it’s illegal.”
“Illegal?” North asked. “What does that mean?”
“It means that it’s against Angie’s Laws. Those laws state that Angie can go to bed whenever she wants. And eat as much cake as she likes. Oh, and if she wants to slide down the banister, then she can.”
“Ahh, there is no such thing as Angie’s Laws, I’m afraid,” Jared told her, feeling amused. “They got abolished.”
“What? When?” she asked, her eyes wide.
She really was adorable. But she also looked far too tired. And fragile. He was glad that North was able to look after her today. But right now, Jared needed to hold her. To know that she was safe from Beltran.
Thank God she was here, with them.
She was here for better or worse.
And he was going to keep her safe.
“About, oh,” he checked his watch, “three minutes ago.”
“Well, that sucks,” she grumbled.
“Come here, baby. I will carry you up to bed. I want you with me tonight.” He glanced over at North. He wanted him close as well, but he knew the other man wouldn’t sleep with them.
He always slept on his own.
The other night he’d stayed with them for a while, though.
