“I heard! That’s so fun!” Wyatt waves his partner through to the bedroom.
“What’re you doin’ hewe?”
“I just came to see Coop for a minute. Why don’t you and Mommy go to the inn and grab some homemade pizza and a cookie? Mimi K is outside.” Wyatt holds my gaze, letting me know I don’t really have a choice. “I think she might even want you all to have a sleepover at the inn tonight. Wouldn’t that be fun?”
I glare at him. How dare they discuss this without me. How dare they not let me make my own damn choices about my daughter.
“Yay!” Lily immediately jumps off my lap, running off to her room.
“Wyatt.” I start.
“It’s not up for debate, Aubs. I need to process this home top to bottom with my crew. I can’t have Lily seeing that and getting scared.”
I shut my mouth. I can’t freaking argue with that. “Why does it need to be processed?”
“Because they were in here, Aubs. They were in my family’s home, under my watch. I’m not letting that shit slide.”
I nod in understanding. “Okay. I’ll go. But Wyatt?” He snaps his attention back to me from the bedroom. “You get the fucker. Promise me.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“No. I want a promise,” I demand.
“I can’t do that. But I can promise you I’ll do my best. Whoever it is, they’re messing with the wrong family. We’ve got you.” He steps toward me, pulling me in for a hug. “You’re not alone anymore, Aubs. The day you chose Cooper is the day you got the whole Keaton clan. And I know Tommy and Aggie feel that too.”
“Thank you.” The tears finally fall. The burning in my eyes was too much.
“Mommy, I weady!” Looking over, I see Lily standing with her little backpack, opened and overflowing with toys.
“How about I help you find a toothbrush. And maybe some clothes.” I chuckle through the tears.
“Fiiinneeee.” Her threenager self, showing too much.
Wyatt leaves us in the living room. Allowing me the space to handle this how I want to while he handles the rest of it how he wants to, or how Cooper wants to.
Once I grab Lily's things, I walk her out to Anna.
“Do you mind if I go grab my things? I didn't want to bring her in my room.” I whisper to her as we load Lily's bag and pillow into the trunk.
“Of course, honey. You take all the time you need. I'll be here for you whenever you're ready.” Her warm comforting smile has the opposite effect on me right now.
Instead of feeling the warmth from her, it just makes me feel embarrassed. Two of her sons are in my house right now. Seeing all the things I'd rather keep hidden. And it's only a matter of time until they uncover all the secrets I kept buried with Jack.
To make it worse, I'm going to the inn owned by her other son and daughter to hide out like a coward, something I'm damn sure not used to.
It's my job to protect my daughter.
I bet Anna's children were never in danger.
Walking into my bedroom all conversation stops, heating my cheeks more.
“I just need to get my stuff.” Ignoring everyone I grab my bag and start throwing items in.
“Hey, gorgeous, what's going on? Do you need something?”
Whipping around, I stare at him. The other two men take their cue to stop staring and start focusing very intently on some of the photos. “Why don't we go into the other room.” He ushers me into Lily's room.
It only takes me about thirty seconds to lose it.
