Page 60 of The Enforcers: NOAH

Chapter 23

They fussed and fretted and brought her food and juice and coffee. Mina only managed some juice and a piece of toast before she gave up. She still felt a little nauseated.

The others had gathered around her. She stared at Tristan, realizing now where she knew him from. “You were in Alaska,” she said. “You came to Justin’s cabin. To warn us.”

He nodded, remembered pain darkening his eyes. “For all the good it did.”

Tears stung her, and she felt Noah’s hand close around hers. She clung to it.

“Can you tell us?” Noah said to her. “It would help us all fill in some gaps, help us understand what’s going on here. And maybe…it would help you too?”

Mina looked around the room. The men weren’t looking at her; they were all looking down at the floor or off in the distance. Giving her space.

They all know, she realized. They know what it’s like, to have things eating at you. To be broken and not have anyone understand.

And it was all so different from what she’d believed. Everything she thought she knew about Justin and what happened in Alaska was wrong.

Tristan was the only one who knew. Maybe if they told their story together, it would help heal them both.

But this was not something Brock should hear.

She turned to Flynn. “Do you think Jasmin would mind giving Brock a bath?”

Flynn frowned, then raised his eyebrows in comprehension. “She’s not the maternal type, but she should be able to handle that.” He walked outside.

Brock pouted. “I don’t want a bath. I want to be a woof, and woofs don’t go in the bathtub.”

Mina drew in her breath. She really didn’t want a scene with Brock right now, but she needed to get him out of the room.

Noah jumped in as smoothly as if he’d been a dad for years. “Totally false,” he said to Brock. “I’m a big woof, and I like going in the bathtub. Plus you’re also a boy, and boys need to learn how to be clean so people don’t have to hold their noses when they’re around.” He pinched his nose and made a face.

Brock giggled.

“So do what your mom says and go get clean, and don’t give her sh—a hard time when she’s not feeling well.”

Brock nodded. “Okay, Mr. Noah Gray Woof. I be good.”

“Excellent. Fist bump.”

The sight of his huge fist bumping Brock’s tiny one made Mina’s heart all squishy.

Flynn came back in with the jaguar shifter, who was wearing clothes this time, thankfully. She had a rolled-up t-shirt in her hand.

“Thank you for doing this,” Mina said. “And for last night.”

Jasmin gave an uncomfortable shrug, then gestured to Brock. “Hey, kid, want to splash in a great big tub that squirts lots of bubbles, and make a mess in Tank’s bathroom?”

Brock scrambled off the couch, but then looked uncertainly at Mina, his eyes worried.

“I’m fine, sweetie,” she said. “And you’ll have fun with Miss Jasmin. Go on.”

Jasmin snorted at the name, but jerked her head at Brock. “Let’s go, kid.”

Mina watched them go, then curled her legs up and leaned against Noah’s shoulder, not looking at anyone. He dropped a kiss on her hair and squeezed her hand.

They all went silent, waiting for her to be ready.

This was so hard. And she didn’t know how Noah would feel when he heard it all. When he heard how she’d felt about Justin.