Page 115 of Maximus

“If you’re not out in twenty minutes, I’m coming back to check on you.”

“I…”

“You what, honey?”

“Thank you.”

Max sighed and kissed my head before he got up.

“Tonight, after the boys go down, we’re having our talk.”

“Okay,” I whispered and rolled to my side, bringing my knees to my chest.

Max took in my position on the bed and his face went tight.

“Not a fan of you curling into a protective ball, Eva. Nothing’s gonna hurt you. Not ever again.”

“I’m not trying to protect myself,” I denied.

Max looked like he had more to say but thankfully he left me to sort my head.

Could it really be this easy?

No more crazy contract killers.

The boys were safe.

I no longer had to live in fear my past transgressions would catch up with me.

Zoey and Mark had forgiven me.

Was it as easy—as simply being happy?

Chapter 32

The last thing I wanted to do was leave Eva alone in the bedroom. I had a million questions, the first being why in the hell did she call Zoey. I didn’t need to ask how she’d gotten the number. That was easy—Tex.

But I couldn’t fathom why she’d call.

That wasn’t true—I knew why she’d called.

Eva was making amends.

Fuck.

Now she was curled up in bed, undoubtedly crying, since she was barely holding it together when I’d gone back there to check what she was doing.

“Can we watch one more episode, Max?” Eli asked.

“Sure, bud,” I answered as I sat down on the couch next to him.

If I couldn’t be in the bedroom taking care of Eva, at least I could take care of the boys.

“Is Mom all right?” Liam asked.

“Yep. I think all of the excitement of the day wore her out.”

“Can your friends come over again?”