“I got the information. I’m going back to my office to work on it.”
He turned on his heel, forgetting about us.
“Angel.” A warning pulsed in my tone.
Diego stopped in his tracks and twisted his head to look at me. I tapped my lips.
Diego hesitated, but I didn’t think it was because of his touch aversion this time. No, he just wanted to get to work.
I thought he might just turn away from me, but eventually he huffed and took the couple of steps to close the distance. I kissed him. “Don’t overwork yourself, Diego. I know you’re concerned, but it will be okay. I’m going to take the boys home, and then I’ll be back to help. I’ll let the others know what’s going on as well. You don’t have to do this alone.”
Diego’s face expressed a complicated array of emotions, all passing quickly. “I know. I’ve been working on my delegating.”
He was trying. I’d give him that. Unfortunately, most of us were useless when it came to his job, but he always trusted Brooks to help to an extent, and he was also getting better at utilizing Skye, and even Matty when the work wasn’t too risky.
“I know, sweetheart. I’m proud of you,” I praised. Diego flushed. “I’ll check on you when I get back. If you find anything, let me know.”
He rocked back on his heels and glanced at Brooks. “Bring B with you? I’d feel better knowing you weren’t alone.”
Brooks chewed on his lip ring. “You sure you don’t need my help?”
“Nah, not yet. I can always grab Skye if I have to. I’d feel better knowing you were with Wes.”
“Okay, sure.” Brooks sounded a little surprised, and I didn’t blame him. Typically, one of us always stayed back with Diego. Though, I guessed we were only going across town. Diego lifted onto his tiptoes and surprised me with an impromptu kiss on the cheek, and then with an awkward wave to everyone as he hurried away and to his office.
I thought Matty might go with him, but he was lingering, and I could tell there was something on his mind.
“Brooks, why don’t the three of you head down to the cars? I’ll be right there.”
“Sure, Daddy Wes.”
Riley made a fake gagging sound. “Can you fuckin’ not?”
Brooks grinned and threw his arm across my son’s shoulders. “Oh, why not? You always have the best reactions.”
“Asshole.”
Brooks’s laughter traveled down the hallway as they walked away, and I focused my attention on Matty.
I squeezed his shoulder and led him back into the media room.
“Talk to me.”
He didn’t answer right away. He had his arms crossed and his nails were digging into his forearms. I waited him out, knowing that pushing would make him clam up.
Finally, he met my eyes. “I don’t like this. What if—” He swallowed and looked at the door like he expected someone to be listening on the other side. “What if it’s my dad, my bio one, and he found me?” he asked in a hushed tone, barely abovea whisper. “I don’t want you to get hurt, for him to hurt you because of me.”
My heart broke. I opened my arms for him, “Oh come here, Matty. It’ll be okay.” Matty threw himself at me, his face against my chest in an uncharacteristic hug from him, “None of this is your fault. Even if this is some complicated plot by your birth father, it wouldn’t be your fault. I’ve had way worse come at me, and they couldn’t keep me down.”
Matty didn’t respond right away, but eventually looked up. He wasn’t crying, but he looked close. “You’ll be careful? I won’t make you promise that you won’t get hurt, anyone could get hurt at any time, but you’ll take it seriously, take all the same precautions you usually do, even if you don’t feel like this guy is a danger?”
I kissed the top of his head affectionately, “I promise, kiddo. I’m taking this seriously.”
“Okay. Good. I don’t want to lose you. Any of you.”
Well here he went again, shattering me. “You won’t. We don’t plan on going anywhere for a long time. We’re not easy to kill.”
Matty snorted, and then wiped at his face even though it was dry. “Yeah. Okay. Good.” He cleared his throat, and I could tell he was feeling awkward, “I’m gonna go finish up some homework. Can you let me know when you and Brooks get back?”
