I’ve built empires from dirt and steel.I can damn well build trust with a scared kid.
Even if I have to take a few more punches to do it.
But what I said about hurting his mom?That stops him.
Immediately.
That tightness in my chest loosens.He’s a good boy.
How could he not be?
His head snaps toward Kelly.She’s crying now, a lot.And that undoes him faster than anything.
She pushes past me then, and I don’t stop her this time.Her arms are wide open.
The boy launches at her, nearly knocking her over.
They start to fall.But I move fast.I wrap an arm around her waist, brace with my other hand, and take the impact so they don’t hit the ground hard.
“You’re my mom!”Evan sobs into her shoulder.“Mine!I don’t want you going away from me!I don’t want to live with Grams and Gramps!”
My blood runs cold.
“What are you talking about, baby?”Kelly whispers, her voice breaking.“I’m not going anywhere.Who said that?What happened this weekend?”
Thatcher and Willow stand off to the side.Willow’s hand is at her mouth.
Thatcher looks like he’s about two seconds from committing a felony.
Same.
“Grams and Gramps said Dad’s living in Arizona,” Evan chokes out.“And that he’s gonna take you to court for money for his new wife.That he doesn’t really love you or me.And they said th-that you aren’t fit to raise me and they’re gonna take me away!Mommy, I don’t want to live with them!”
Rage fills me.
Pure, nuclear fucking rage.
Mike Stevens is lucky he’s not standing in front of me right now.
Because I would absolutely put him on his ass.
That goes for Paul Stevens, too, that pompous ass.
Kelly is shaking.
“Evan, sweetheart, that’s not true.Daddy loves you?—”
“No!They said you’re single now and you’ll probably find some man to keep you, and that makes you unfit!And he was holding your hand!”
He glares at me.
Same blue eyes as his mother.
And it hits me hard.
This kid isn’t jealous.
He’s scared.
