Page 126 of Alec’s Dream

“You never have to thank me for protecting my family,” Alec cut Ron off.

His nerves were raw and he was hanging on by the barest of threads.

“Jonny say what made Doug snap?” Ron inquired.

“Doug came up to ask his parents for money. He got in deep down in Florida. Fifty-thousand. Jonny had the day off and just happened to stop by his parents. He walked in, heard them arguing, and it went downhill from there.”

“And the kids? Why would he take them?”

“Jonny thinks because Doug knew his parents have a soft spot for their grandkids. He wanted them as leverage.”

Alec knew he sounded like a robot, knew that he was emotionally spent. Ron Hartley deserved answers, but all Alec wanted was to go upstairs and be with his family. His body physically ached to be near them.

“How bad?”

“Can you handle the truth? Respect, but I got nothing left, so you either get honesty or we have this conversation tomorrow.”

Alec noticed June was wandering out of the room toward the kitchen and he thought that was a good idea.

“I want the truth.”

“She saw that piece of shit shoot her uncle and kill her grandfather. Doug did both right in front of her. She also heard that fucker threaten to kill her so Macy wouldn’t have her. I basically tackled her so she wouldn’t see Jonny shoot the bastard in the head. The scene was so fucked-up I don’t know how I’m gonna stop reliving it. Which means I’m not sure how to guide them,” Alec motioned to the stairs, “through this. I don’t know how to make this right for Rory. Caleb was finally letting go, he was happy. Macy was settled in. Rory always laughing and smiling. Now this? Fuck, Ron, how much can the three of them take?”

“I suspect my daughter can take as much as she needs to as long as she has you by her side. Rory and Caleb will get through this, you’ll make sure of it. And I know by tomorrow you’ll have a plan on how you’re gonna make that happen because you love them and you know they’re counting on you. I knew you were the man I’d been waiting for. The man I should’ve walked my daughter down the aisle to. Now your family’s upstairs waiting for you. June and I will see ourselves out.”

“Stay here. I don’t want you driving home after—”

“We’ll be fine.”

Alec reached out, grabbed Ron’s shoulder, and held his eyes.

“Please stay here. Tomorrow morning when they wake up, they’re gonna need us all. They’re gonna need their grandparents close.”

“Right.” Ron’s voice cracked and that was Alec’s cue to leave the man to his wife.

With a nod, he jogged up the stairs, poked his head in Jocelyn’s room, and made his way to her crib. Once he double-checked she was safely tucked in, he went in search of Macy and the kids.

He found them piled in the middle of his and Macy’s bed.

Macy’s wounded eyes came to his and he vowed to repair the gaping laceration Doug’s actions had caused. It didn’t matter how long it took, he would make her beautiful chocolate eyes sparkle again.

Alec went into the large walk-in closet and quickly changed his clothes, not wanting to contaminate their bed with the merest scent of Doug’s poison.

“Alec,” Rory whispered.

“Yeah, baby?”

“You’re not leaving, are you?”

“No sweetheart.”

“Promise?”

“Yes, Aurora, I promise.”

“Never? You’re never gonna leave us?”

“Never, Rory.”