Page 67 of Her Devoted HERO

“Austin, I’ve got this,” Dex said. Austin gave him a long look, then went to his mom and hugged her.

“Sweetheart, talk to me,” she said.

“I will soon,” he promised her.

“Go with him,” Dex said to the two cops.

“I’m so sorry,” Warren began.

“Out!” Dex roared. Sanchez grabbed his partner’s arm, and they followed Austin out of the greenhouse.

“Dex, talk to me.”

He pulled her gently into his arms. She struggled. “Let me see what’s on the computer.”

“No.”

“Yes. If Austin saw it, then I need to see it.”

“No, you don’t.” He pulled her head down to his chest.

She clutched him close, then peered up at him. “It’s that bad? My baby saw somebody being killed? How bad was it?”

“He said he didn’t watch it all.”

“Are you sure he didn’t?”

“Yes, Kenna, I’m sure.”

She shoved her face into his shirt. Her shoulders began to shake, but she didn’t make a sound. He stroked his hands down her back.

“Let it out.”

“I can’t. I need to talk to Austin.”

“Let it out. Rant. Cry. Scream. Beat on me. Do whatever you need to do, Baby. I’m here for you.”

“I need to keep it together. I need to go talk to my son.”

He understood. He admired. “But after you’re done, you’ll come back to me?”

She pushed out of his arms to look up at him. He saw steely determination in her gold-flecked hazel eyes. “I’ll come back to you, but not for fucking comfort. We’re going to talk about you going behind my back about something concerning my child.”

The corner of his mouth kicked up. God, she was gorgeous when she went mama bear.

“Don’t you fucking smile at me. I’m pissed.”

“And that’s why I’m smiling.”

“If you say I’m beautiful when I’m angry, I’ll kick you in the balls.”

Dex had to bite his tongue from laughing. She was beautiful when she was angry. “Go talk to your son. I’ll be waiting for you on the verandah.”

***

Kenna tapped on Austin’s door.

“Come in, Mom.”