They speak to me like the professionals they are, asking for my camera footage, taking down my insights.
These men are highly trained. They’ll do their due diligence and file their reports.
That’s not the part that bothers me. We all knew this shit could happen, one way or the other, the second we revealed the egg to Fairfax.
Clearly, there was a leak somewhere.
A leak that turned into a spraying flood.
If two, three, however many men decided to pick a fight with guns instead of running, we know what would’ve happened.
I couldn’t have protected my principal in this house or my own daughter.
Fucking unforgivable.
As a father, I have one job.
One thing I owe her, and that’s safety, a chance to grow up and be the best woman she’s meant to be.
One damn break-in.
Just one and my knee locked up like a brittle hinge.
IbroughtKit here. I put her in danger. I severely underestimated how fast Mischief by Fairfax would fuck us over.
Leonidas should’ve called in backup when I’m not up to snuff.
The second the cops leave, I find them sitting in the library.
“Time to pack up, girl,” I tell Kit. “We’re going home.”
“Home?” She throws a glance at Cleo, who says nothing. “Um, what about Clee?”
Clee. Already.
Even though they barely know each other.
I don’t miss the way my little girl clings to Cleo’s hand or the way Cleo’s sitting, like her body can shield Kit.
The sight tears something loose beyond tendon and bone.
I grit my teeth together and breathe through my nose.
“I’ll stay with her until we figure something out. It won’t be long, no more than a couple hours. Hanging around this house isn’t an option. It’s been compromised. You’ll stay with Grandma and Grandpop until I’m done.”
“Okay.” She tilts her head, but Cleo gives her shoulder a little push.
“We’re good, sweet thing,” she murmurs. “Go pack.”
A headache gnaws my skull as Kit darts past and heads upstairs.
Cleo meets my eyes.
“You can stop beating yourself up now,” she says. “We’re still alive. No one got hurt.”
“Like hell,” I snarl, pinning my mouth shut. “I’ll have someone pick her up. I’m not leaving you alone here.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.” She gets up and steps forward, kneeling in front of me. Her little hand touches myknee and I wince, exhaling sharply. “It’s this, Holden. You. It would’ve been a lot worse if you weren’t around.”
