Page 34 of Protective Phlox

“I know this is hard for you to understand right now, but your dad was protecting us. He’d never hurt you.” I touched his chin, and he looked up at me. I wanted to wrap him up in my arms and tell him that monsters didn’t exist and shield him from all the terrible things forever. “I know this is all new and confusing, and you’ve been such a champ. I’m so proud of you and how you’ve handled all these big changes. Do you trust me?” He nodded. “Then know that I will never let anyone hurt you, not ever, and even though your dad seems scary, he’s a really good man. All he wants is to keep mean people away from you. Okay?”

“Okay,” he said, but he didn’t sound sure, and it was tearing me in two. “Can I go to bed now?”

“Yeah, Bud, let’s get you changed.”

There was a soft knock at the door, and Titus was leaning against the frame. “The girls were pretty worried about Cutter. Do you mind if they come in?”

“No, of course not.”

Cutter smiled as the two massive dogs bounded in and began licking his face. I mouthed thank you to him and had to wipe the tears from my eyes before Cutter saw.

“Can they stay,” Cutter asked excitedly.

“Sure, if your mom says it’s okay,” Titus said.

“Mommy, please, can they stay, please, please, please,” he begged dramatically and grabbed the front of my dress.

“Fine, but you have to get changed and brush your teeth.”

With a cheer, he raced into the bathroom with the two dogs hot on his heels. I waited until he was gone before meeting Titus as he stepped into the room.

“Thank you for bringing them. It was exactly what he needed right now.”

He chuckled softly. “Don’t thank me. They were whining at me and telling me off.”

I smiled. “Well, either way, thank you. Are you sure it’s okay if they stay the night?”

“They are bonded to him now. Good luck getting them away, and trust me, no one who wants to hurt him will get near him if they are around.” He cleared his throat. “Listen, I just wanted to say I’m sorry for what happened at dinner.”

“Thanks, but you’re one of the few who don’t seem to mind that I’m here.”

Titus had a casual way about everything he did. As he shrugged, there was an ease to him that helped settle my nerves. “My brother is many things, but a threat to the family is not one of them. If he trusts you, then I do.” He poked his head out the door. “Where is Nathaniel?”

“He said he needed to cool off, and he’s gone to the gym. I don’t know where that is.”

“Downstairs in the basement. Do you want me to stay with Cutter until he falls asleep? I’m really good at reading bedtime stories.”

I ran my lip through my teeth as I thought. Cutter came running into the room and raced to show me his teeth. Kids were amazing. The way he could switch off all that worry and be happy in the moment was a skill I’d surely love to learn.

“Cutter, would you be okay if Uncle Titus reads you a story? I have something I need to take care of.”

He nodded, and I kissed his forehead. “I’ll be back to say goodnight, but don’t try to wait up. It’s already past your bedtime.”

“I won’t, Mommy.” He wrapped his arms around me in a brief hug. “I love you,” he said, and then ran for the giant bed, leaping like he was Superman. The dogs hopped up with him and laid down.

“Go, I promise we will be fine,” Titus said.

“Thank you.”

I didn’t know if this was a good idea, but I had to see Nathan.

Chapter

Fourteen

NATHANIEL

Sweat dripped onto the floor as my knuckles bled from the relentless blows to the heavy bag. With a yell, I jumped in the air and brought my fist down so hard that the bag swung out and touched the mirrors.