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“Delia.” I say her name firmer than I mean to, but I can’t help it.
When she looks up at me, it’s with wariness and maybe a bit of fear, but she straightens her spine and makes eye contact with me. “What?”
“Never apologize when I scare you. You have nothing to apologize for. At all. I’m the jackass that wasn’t thinking, and I’m sorry,” I reply in a much softer tone.
She looks taken aback and visibly swallows. “You aren’t playing fair,” she whispers.
“Aw, Beautiful, it’s because I’m not playing. I meant everything I said last night. And I’ll say it again if you need me to.”
I reach my hand out slowly until it’s covering hers on top of her desk. I see the goosebumps on her skin and hear her intake of breath at the contact, but I don’t take my eyes off hers.
“What are you doing to me, Marcus?”
“Showing you how a woman should be treated. Like a fucking Queen.” I look at the clock behind her head. “I have to go meet the family now, but I want to talk to you. Can I come back?”
Her only answer is to nod her head in the affirmative, and as I walk away, I can’t help the smile spreading across my face. When I look back and find her watching my ass, I’m on a high that can’t be hidden.
CHAPTER FIVE
DELIA
When I called the attorney that Daniel recommended this morning, I wasn’t prepared to break down on the man. James Covey has a commanding voice on the phone, firm but nice. When he offered to take the case for no charge, that’s what broke me. I looked up his fees when we got off the phone, and I never could have afforded him. He acted like it was no big deal to take on my case and said we wouldn’t lose. He wants to meet with me next week and asked that someone come with me. James also asked if someone was available to keep an eye on the kids when I wasn’t around, that we were going to take no chances. The relief I felt was immediate, then I realized I didn’t really have anyone to lean on. Until Vic appeared.
“The kids are coming to the farm,” she informs me with no buildup. “They can play with Chonk and I’m sure Wyatt will love seeing them.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. And if you need someone to go with you, I’m sure Daniel or any of the other guys will be happy to go.”
“Oh, they don’t need to?—”
“Someone needs to go with you. If it’s not them, then someone else.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I roll my eyes.
I’m still thinking of that conversation and the one I had with Marcus after he leaves to meet with the new family. A mother with two small daughters, who escaped with little more than the clothes on their backs. Every time a new family comes through the doors of The Center, I am reminded how lucky I am, how lucky we all are, to be here.
I put the meeting with the attorney in the back of my mind and try to concentrate on the reports I’m working on. But it’s no use. I know he’s here, in the building, and I keep looking at the entry, waiting for him to come back. Because as nice as it was watching him walk away in his uniform, I’d much rather see his eyes.
It’s not long before I get my wish. He returns to the main lobby and makes a beeline for my desk, smiling at me like I’m his world. Has he always looked at me like this? Have I been blind to it because I don’t think I’m worthy?
“Hey, Beautiful, told you I’d be back,” he says softly, and I know he’s trying not to scare me again. But he does scare me. Not because he’s a man, but because he makes me feel things I don’t know how to feel anymore. He makes me want things and wish for things I have no business wanting and wishing. “What are you doing tonight?”
“Tonight? Why?” My guard goes up immediately. I wonder if it always will. I internally yell at myself to calm the fuck down. This isn’t my ex. This is Marcus.
“Well, I thought I could bring the boys home from practice and maybe pick up some pizzas from Danielle’s on my way?”
He looks so hopeful, like he really wants to spend time with me. And my boys.
“I…you don’t have to do that,” I stutter.
“I know. But I want to.”
“Are you sure? You want to spend time with me and the boys? Have you met them?” I try to joke, but I know it falls flat when his eyes narrow and his jaw tightens.
“Del, I’m trying to not go all alpha on you. I really am. But yes, I want to spend time with you. And the boys. I know they’ll be hungry after practice. If I’m being completely honest, I’m going to drive by and make sure you’re safe anyway, so might as well bring them with me. And if we can eat, all the better. And if I get to see you and talk to you while I’m at it? That’s a perfect night.”
“What do you mean go all alpha on me, Marcus?” I warily ask.
