Page 61 of Maximus

“That’s a lot of stuff, sweetheart. We’ll go through it in the morning. But I don’t want you to get your hopes up. We won’t be here all that long, so I don’t think we need all…” Eva’s hand swept out, motioning to the bags. “That.”

It was then I understood what she’d meant about disappointment—Liam’s face fell and I wanted to kick my own ass for not talking to Eva about my plan first, then for not giving Anaya a limit. Not that it was her fault—she’d done what I’d asked and got some shit for the boys. It was my fault completely I hadn’t put a cap on that.

“It looks like there’s some clothes in some of the bags, too,” I tried to defend.

“Right,” Eva mumbled. “It’s been a long day, why don’t we head back to the bedroom and lie down? There’s a TV in there you can watch for a bit.”

Liam nodded his easy acceptance then turned to me. “Thanks again for dinner.”

“You’re welcome, kid. Sleep tight.”

“You’ll…um… you’ll be here in the morning?”

“Yep. I’ll be here.”

“Night, Max.”

“Night, bud.”

Eva didn’t say anything as she walked away, which actually said more than I wanted to admit. I’d totally fucked up.

Damn.

I pulled out my phone and called Kyle.

“You there?” he asked when he picked up.

“Yeah. Just wanted to call to check in and say thanks for sending Anaya out.”

“She was worried she got too much, but she also knew they didn’t have anything, since everything they brought with them was in the car. She said there’s some clothes and toiletries and shit for the kids and for Eva. Shoes, too, but she had to guess on the sizes.”

Well, that explained why there were so many bags.

“She did great, I appreciate it.”

“We figured we’d come over there tomorrow at ten. Didn’t want you to have to leave the house, but there’s a lot to go over.”

“Might be a lot for the boys. Elijah, the youngest, is shy and extremely timid. And Liam’s not far from that but more watchful. Let me talk to Eva later tonight if she’s still awake after she gets Liam down. Then we’ll talk to the kids in the morning and feel them out. Eli’s finally coming around and talking to me. I don’t want to have a setback with him. And, fuck, Liam’s been through a lot and the last two days, he’s been cooped up in a car. We’re gonna have to play that by ear.”

That was met with silence and it stretched long enough I called out, “Kyle?”

“Yeah, right. Just call us in the morning.”

“Who’s got the first shift watching the house?”

“Dec. He rolled out of here five minutes ago. Should be circling the block by now.”

“Right. I’ll call him.”

“Glad you’re back. Hope I get to meet Eva and the boys tomorrow.”

Kyle disconnected and I dismissed his weird as hell comment about meeting Eva and the kids. Instead, I dialed Declan.

“Hey,” Dec greeted. “I’m just coming on your block now. I’m gonna do a drive-by, get the lay of the land. Then I was gonna call you so you don’t shoot my ass when I do a walk-around.”

“Before you do that, knock on the door.”

“Everything okay?”