“Red, is it okay if Kit and I exercise later?”
Okay? Red could kiss the man. “Sure thing.”
“See you later. The good coffee is in that cabinet.” Mo pointed to the corner cabinet. “Remember the check-ins.”
Red grunted and watched them leave, then he turned to Kit. “Ready to eat now?”
Kit smiled. It looked a little strained, but it was a smile. “Can we cook together?”
“Yeah sure. I’d like that.”
It turned out Kit was a decent cook, especially eggs, and it seemed to relax him. Red parked that one for future reference.
It didn’t take long for them to have a pile of eggs and bacon and a stack of toast in front of them.
“We can do something more elaborate another day,” Red said.
“I can make waffles if we’ve got a waffle maker.”
If Red hadn’t had a mouthful of food, he would have drooled. He loved waffles and syrup. “I’ll check when we clear up. I love waffles.”
The breakfast didn’t take long to consume. They were both hungry. They ate every scrap of food and seriously debated making more.
“If you’re going to exercise with Ronan, maybe eat more later,” Red suggested.
Kit grumbled but he admitted it was a good idea.
Red was pleased that Kit helped clear away the dirty dishes without being asked. He liked his boys to be helpful and not expect their Daddy to do everything for them.
Kit finished loading the dishwasher and stood, rolling his shoulders. “I need to work out. I don’t feel right unless I exercise every day. But usually that’s clubbing.”
“We can make a plan of what to do,” Red suggested. “I need to exercise too.”
“Will we be able to go for a walk?” Kit sighed at Red’s dubious expression. “I’ve got to stay inside for the rest of my life?”
“No, but we have to be careful now.”
“Who can attack us here?” Kit scoffed.
“You’ve heard of snipers? We had that discussion already.” He saw Kit blanch. “Patience, yeah? We’re both in unfamiliar surroundings and not sure what is going on. But we’ll work it out, I promise.”
Kit looked so young and vulnerable at that moment, it made his heart ache. He couldn’t leave Kit to sink on his own. The boy needed someone to take control and that could be him. Yes, he could be hurt, but he’d take that chance. This wasn’t about him; it was about Kit.
Red brushed Kit’s mouth with his own. “Just let me take care of you. We’ll work it out.”
Kit regarded him, two lines between his brows. Red smoothed them out with his thumb.
“How long for?” Kit demanded.
“For as long as you need me.”
Kit visibly relaxed. “You’re in it for the long haul.”
Red opened his mouth to argue that wasn’t what he said, but he was distracted by a knock at the door.
“It’s Mo and Ronan again.”
Red checked his phone, then loped over to open the door. The men were covered by a fine layer of snow over their hat and coats, and when he looked over their shoulders, he could see snowflakes falling at a steady pace.
