Page 4 of This Reckless Home

Tension fills the room, all centred on me, and I take a breath.

Nox gives a harsh chuckle. “Well, that didn’t take long.”

I hate he thinks so little of me. That life has clearly taught him people like me, who live in houses like this, assume the worst of people like him and the others. Though I can’t blame him for his assumptions.

“Why do you need to know?” Anatole asks before I can try to address Nox’s statement. His voice is measured but with an undercurrent of violence that should have me scared. Yeah, scared is what makes my core flare with heat.

“I have her permission to tell you this,” I start, and his brows scrunch. “One of our children, Sally, is a cutter and has requested that all temptation be out of reach while she works on a few things. The kitchen knives are in a locked drawer and all other sharps are kept by me in the safe.”

“A cutter?” Justin asks, and I look into his eyes, so similar to Anatole’s — though his dark hair curls where his brother's stays stubbornly straight, a little too long like no one's had the time or money for a proper cut.

“She has a history of self-harming when things get too much, when she feels overwhelmed. But she’s working with James, our therapist, and has come so far. But it’s still a way we can help make things easier for her. She’s actually your age, I believe, so maybe you can chat to her about it at dinner if you’d like to know more.”

His face is so guarded, so closed, and it hurts knowing he’s had to develop that to survive. “Why would she talk to a complete stranger about shit like that?”

“Jus,” Anatole’s voice is all warning and damn him, but another shiver cascades across my skin. I ignore the curse; Justin is keeping himself safe in the only way he knows how, by lashing out verbally.

“She’s come a long way, and part of that is being open about who she is and the struggles she faces. She’ll tell you what she’s comfortable sharing.” I watch as his hand goes into his jeans pocket. Pulling out a penknife.

“Ant gave this to me for my birthday last year,” he whispers, looking down at it like it’s his most prized possession. No doubt it is.

“A very fine gift,” I tell him, then glance up at Anatole. “Perhaps you could keep it in the pool house? As long as it’s not in the house or where Sally might access it, I’m sure that would work if you’d rather, Justin?”

He nods, handing the blade over to his brother, who puts it in his own jeans pocket.

“Thank you, Justin,” I say, and his gaze flits to me, surprise on his face. I turn to look over at the three men. “I have to also ask that you do the same. Please keep any blades out of sight, including razors for shaving.”

Steele nods, and Anatole follows up with, “Of course.”

“You’re welcome to come pat me down,” Nox adds, holding his arms out, and heat rolls over me as I let my eyes trail down his body. His hooded tank doesn’t exactly hide much; the silver of the chain around his neck, wrist, and his rings making me a little jealous because it’s touching him. “Eyes up here, Petal.”

My gaze snaps up to his, and there’s a hint of amusement in his cutting, jade depths along with a banked heat that only makes me burn hotter.

I clear my throat, deciding that ignoring the can of worms that Nox is presenting with his offer is best. Turning back to Justin, I swallow. “Now, before we go on a tour, a few things to cover. School.” His eyes roll and he makes a disgusted noise that has me chuckling. “Well, there are options here, so have a think over the next couple of days, maybe chat to your brother, and you can let me know on Monday.”

“What options?” he interrupts.

“I was getting to them,” I chide softly with a smile. “Some children go to local schools, and we can look at the options there for you, though I would ask that you try the one where most go because poor Henry has only a certain amount of time to get everyone where they need to be in the morning.”

“Who’s Henry?” Anatole questions, and his bright blue eyes are focused on me.

“He’s our driver, been with me all my life, as he was my mother’s before becoming mine,” I tell him, watching as his shoulders loosen a little. I turn back to Justin. “The other option is that you can be homeschooled. We have two children who are already including Sally, and it works really well for them. We have tutors come in every day for a few hours, and we take them on trips to all sorts of places. Plus, there are the animals to look after.”

“Animals?” Nox sounds so dubious I can’t help the small laugh.

“Yes, we have a couple of pigmy goats who are honestly the bane of my existence because those two can escape anything,” I tell them, watching as four sets of eyebrows raise high. “Then there are the chickens; we go through a lot of eggs, and it made sense to have our own source of them.” I look at the three huge guys, tilting my head and trying to keep my eyes from wandering like they keep trying to do. “Perhaps we should get a few more now that you’re all here.”

“Where do the animals live?” Justin asks, breaking me from my musings about how many eggs those muscles need per day.

“Oh, the goats are in a small barn, and the chickens have a coop and a large run in the vegetable garden. I can show you that tomorrow if you like? Well, all the chickens bar⁠—”

The distinct clucking noise of a chicken being followed by giggling children filters in from just outside the door. Debbie, our house chicken, struts into the living room like she owns the damn place.

“You have a chicken in the house?” Nox’s incredulous tone elicits more giggles from outside the room. I sigh, getting up and walking over to Debbie, who waits as I bend down and pick her up.

“Look, it was six to one and I dare you to say no to six pleading faces,” I tell him, stroking Debbie’s soft feathers and letting her gentle cooing noises relax me as I casually walk towards where Nox is now sitting on one of the sofas. At least he’s making himself at home. “And honestly, chicken cuddles are the best.” I place a kiss on her head, then bend down, plopping her into his lap.

He startles, but she settles quickly, and one of his large hands comes up, stroking her feathers as if he’s unconsciously doing it. His mouth parts slightly, his throat working, and my damn heart twinges again. I know the feeling of peace that having a calm animal in your lap brings, have seen its effect on so many of the hurt children who come here.