“Hi,” he calls out low, and my chest spreads with warmth.
“Hey, buddy.” I drop into a crouch and open my arms, and he comes right into them like I’m safe.
His wrap around me, and the world narrows down to the feeling of him against my chest. I’ve never loved a child who wasn’t mine, didn’t think I could, but I love this little guy more than words can say.
“What are you guys doing here?” I straighten to my full height, my gaze flicking warily to Kirill.
“We were driving by. Lev wanted to see you again.” His words come out low and rough.
I hug Lev tighter. “I’m glad you came.”
When I look back at Kirill, his eyes are still on me—dark, possessive.
And I wonder…was that jealousy, or did I just see what I wanted to see?
CHAPTER TWENTY
KIRILL
I lied.Lev wasn’t the one who wanted to come to the ranch and see her. I was.
When I didn’t find her at the office and was told Greer drove her up here, I thought it would just be the two of them. Instead, I was met with Jace.
He touched her. Had his hands on her.
OnmySloane.
My fingers twitch on my holster. Blyat, the temptation to shoot him is still strong, the image of his hand on her hip burned into my retinas.
Staying away from her is working very well, it appears.
But I’m not letting anyone else have her, especially not a Whitlock. The thought of her with another man…I’d kill him.
Jace steps forward and offers Lev a hand. “Nice to meet you, kid.”
Lev studies it, then shifts closer to Sloane, pressing in until his shoulder touches her hip while peering up at me for silent guidance.
“He is autistic,” I explain. “He is shy around new people.”
Every time I have to tell someone about his diagnosis, I hate it, because all I see after is pity.
“Got it.” Jace smiles like it’s no big deal. “Well, it's very nice to meet you.”
“We have a whole petting zoo here,” Thora chimes in. “If he wants to look around…”
“Thank you,” I tell her.
But Lev only tucks himself into Sloane. My hand closes around his shoulder in a small squeeze.
Rue bounces over to her father with dirt on her jeans, then tilts her head up at him and asks, “What’s autistic, Daddy?”
He opens his mouth, then closes it again, like he’s suddenly afraid of getting it wrong. If this wasn’t about Lev, I wouldn’t give a shit. But I want to make sure she understands.
“It is when someone’s brain works a bit differently and something Lev was born with.” I keep my arm on Lev’s shoulder in reassurance, hating to talk about him like he isn’t here, while trying to come up with something age-appropriate. “For him, loud noises can be too much, so that’s why he brings his headphones out. He also likes having a good routine. When he meets new people, he can be a bit shy and nervous. He also doesn’t talk a lot, but he understands everything.”
Rue considers that for half a heartbeat, then shrugs like it’s simple.
Don’t I wish?
