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He couldn’t think like that. If he did, then he would bear responsibility for the actions of one bastard who wanted to ruin the peace they were all trying to achieve in Moon.
He was looking at the bottom of the glass when Karen and Sylva walked into the room, and he felt the tension in his chest release immediately. A smile spread across his face as he set the glass down. He was relieved to see his family.
He knew Sylva could lighten the mood and distract him from his worries, and at that moment, he was grateful for the distraction.
The itty-bitty charmer had his mama wrapped around his little finger. Sylva ran to him, and he caught him in a tight hug, realising Sylva had his uncle just as tightly wrapped around his finger as his parents.
The baby's scent had faded from Sylva’s skin, but he still smelled of organic, softly scented children’s wash and lotions.
His eyes welled up, so he hid his face in Sylva’s hair for a moment. Then, when Sylva wiggled to be free, he breathed deeply and pulled away tight-lipped.
Before Sylva could worry, and he did worry because the child was terrifyingly aware of other people, Nick squeezed him gently around the ribs, then made a claw out of his hand and tickled him around the ribs and tummy.
Laughing and wriggling in his arms, Sylva cried, “Uncle, it ticuwles.”
His laughter was infectious, and he found himself chuckling. “Hm, I guess I’ll have to stop then.” He grinned, ruffling Sylva’s tiger-like hair playfully.
“Uncle?” Sylva asked in a smooth cajoling tone that revealed how charming he would be with females when he was older.
He suppressed a laugh. Karen rolled her eyes at her son’s obvious play for sweets. “Yes?” he answered innocently as if he didn’t know what the scamp wanted.
“What do you have for me today?” Sylva asked, bouncing on his toes in excitement.
Sylva’s face fell when he shook his head as if he had nothing. “But wait…” He paused, reaching into his drawer. Making faces while he acted as if he was searching made Sylva laugh.
“Wait…aha, got it,” he announced playfully, pulling out a milk chocolate bar. Karen sighed when Sylva glanced at her expectantly. “What do you think, Nipper?” Nick grinned conspiratorially while leaning forward. “Ask mama super nicely.”
“Mama, can I have it, please?” Sylva pleaded, his hands pressed together, his lower lip pouting adorably.
He bit his lip to hide his smile.
“Yes, you can have it,” she replied, sighing at Sylva’s antics.
“Yes!” Sylva shouted as he took the chocolate and slipped into Nick’s cupboard, where he kept a small box of toys.
He enjoyed having him at work because it reminded him of Karen when she was a child. Throughout her childhood, she would come into his office with homework or a book. There were times when she stayed for hours and grabbed them both drinks, but there were also times when she only stayed for twenty minutes.
He didn’t have biological children, but he still considered them his children. When Karen entered his life, he was running for mayor and had limited time. Having her around filled his heart with joy, and now having Sylva around made his life complete. His pride in their accomplishments made him feel just as proud as a parent would feel.
While serving as mayor, he made the town run smoother, took in his niece, and liberated Numbers. He was now dealing with a traitor who could tarnish all of that.
“Uncle,” Karen called out, jolting him from his recollections.
“I’m sorry, I was miles away,” he said.
“What were you thinking about?”
“The past,” he replied, and she made a face. “Hmm.” He agreed with her disproving look. “Entertaining such thoughts is indeed dangerous.” Sometimes he felt murderous rage when he thought of certain people, like Jerry.
With the blocks in hand, and chocolate smeared over his mouth, Sylva began building a tower. An indulgent smile spread across Karen’s face.
He sighed heavily. “Karen, I love you, but what are you doing here? It’s dangerous.”
She wrinkled her nose and grumbled, “I doubt they will harm anyone when they don’t know that we know, and even if they do, I doubt I would be their target.” For putting herself in danger, Nick wanted to strangle her. “Besides, I’ve been practicing with my blade.” She grimaced. “Samiel made me,” she said, her lips twitching. “Sylva has decided he is mama’s protector, and when he thinks I am in danger, he unleashes rather sharp claws.”
As if to reassure him, she glanced at Sylva with a proud grin, but he heard the worry in her voice.
Her hands were tightly twisted together as she took a deep breath as if she was trying to ease the anxiety.
