Page 30 of Maximus

“No, Elijah,” Max said from behind me. But this time I didn’t move. I was utterly frozen from the fear in Eli’s voice. “No one is going to ever take you from your mom again.”

“Are you sure?” Liam pressed.

“Positive.”

“So we’re not really on vacation?”

“You were on vacation,” Max continued. “Your mom wanted to give you and Elijah something fun to do while I kept you safe.”

“But we’re not on vacation anymore?”

“Elijah, honey?” I called.

My boy looked up at me, tears welling in his big eyes, hands trembling, and agony tore through me. I stepped around Liam and scooped Eli up. His little arms went around my neck and his legs wrapped around my waist.

“I don’t want to go,” Eli whispered.

“Honey, you’re not going anywhere. No one is gonna take you from me. I promise.”

Eli’s body shook in my arms, shattering my loose hold on my own tears. “Swear it, Elijah. No one is taking you or your brother. Not ever again, honey.”

Elijah shoved his face into my neck, wet leaked from his eyes, blazing a path down my skin, scorching my flesh. Once again, my son was scared. Once again, he was crying. And again, it was because of me.

My chest burned, my heart shattered, my stomach roiled, and soul ached.

When did it end? Not for me but for my kids. When did they stop paying the price for my stupidity?

“Did you guys decide on dinner?” Max inquired.

His voice—rough and deep. I looked over my shoulder to find him with fresh clothes on, his hair wet. His face looked better, but not super. Arms crossed over his chest, fiery look aimed direct at me.

Great.

I appreciated him intervening and trying to change the subject, but damn, I didn’t need his attitude.

“Not yet,” Liam told him.

My son stared up at Max. I had him in profile but I could tell he was struggling with the news that Max was playing bodyguard. Or more to the point, that we needed a bodyguard.

“Mom makes the best grilled cheese sandwiches,” Liam informed Max. “Maybe we can have those?”

“The best, huh?” Max teased, smiling at Liam.

Once again, Max’s mood flipped. It was seriously hard to keep up.

“Yeah. They’re like, world famous.”

“Well, now I have to try one.”

Liam glanced over at me and looked hopeful.

“Sure, honey, if that’s what you want.”

Eli nodded his agreement into my neck. Liam smiled. Max just stared.

Two out of three wasn’t bad.

And really, Max wasn’t my problem. He could scowl at me all he wanted. As long as he continued to be nice to my boys, it didn’t matter.