Page 99

“That’s not important. Nothing’s important tonight except you.” I lean back, taking a deep breath before saying what I desperately need him to hear. “I love you, Shilo. So damn much.”

His blue eyes fill with fresh tears, his lips parting just as Paige’s voice makes him jump.

“What the fuck is happening?!”

Shilo freezes, ducking his head as he grips me tighter, like he’s afraid I’ll let him go. Over his shoulder, Paige stands in the doorway, completely outraged, and I toss her a cool glance.

“I’m holding my boy. What does it look like?”

“Your…?” Her nostrils flare, dark eyes flashing as she marches toward us. “My brother is not your boy! He’s your employee! And too fucking young for you. Get away from him!”

“Paige, no.” Shilo slides off my lap, placing himself between us. “Leave him alone. It’s not what you think.”

“He’s almost as old as Dad, Shilo!” she snaps, and I bristle in annoyance. For the record, fifty is very far off, thank you. Not to mention, she’s dating my brother, who’s the same age as me.

“And I’m old enough to make my own decisions,” he counters, his chin jutting out stubbornly, fists clenched at his sides. “I know I’m… not normal sometimes. But that doesn’t mean I’m dumb.”

Paige huffs, folding her arms as she glares daggers at me. “I know you’re not dumb, Iggy, but this is wildly inappropriate—“

“I’m an adult, aren’t I? Old enough to know what I want?” Turning back to me, Shilo sits on my knee, threading our fingers. “And what I want is Ryann. I don’t care what you think about it.”

Her jaw works as she studies us, clearly irritated. Then her laser focus shifts to Declan, who’s lingering by the doorway awkwardly.

“Did you know about this?” she demands.

Dec’s eyes widen, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

“Oh, you and I are so having a conversation,“ she growls, storming over to grab him by the shirt before dragging him away. His bedroom door slams so hard I wince.

Fuck. I hope my situation didn’t just blow up his.

Olivia grimaces before stepping into the room, stopping a few inches from the bed. Her gaze lands on Shilo, and her expression softens. “Well, I’m glad to see you’re safe. Ry here was worried about you.”

Shilo ducks his head, hiding behind his hair. “Yeah.”

My shy boy.

I tilt his chin up, pressing another delicate kiss to his lips. “Why don’t we drop Olivia off at her apartment so I can take you home?”

He squints at me through swollen eyes. “Home? Like your condo?”

“Yes, baby doll. That’s now your home because you’re staying with me.”

Shilo is quiet the entire ride home, his head down and his responses mumbled, even when Olivia wishes him goodnight. By the time we step into the elevator, he’s still hiding behind his hair, his emotions locked away.

I keep him pressed to my side, my thumb rubbing slow circles on the back of his neck as I fight the urge to demand words from him, to tell me what he’s thinking. After what he’s been through tonight, he needs patience. Not pressure.

“Sit, and I’ll make you something to eat,” I tell him softly, pressing a kiss to the top of his head as I guide him to a stool at the center island. He doesn’t argue, doesn’t push back, just rests his chin on his folded arms and watches me silently as I move around the kitchen.

Grilled cheese and soup is about the best I can manage. If my little doll is going to live here, I’ll need to learn how to cook a decent meal.

When I set the plate and bowl in front of him, the sight of his bruised face as he lifts his head sends a fresh wave of anger surging through me. My fists clench against my thighs when I slide onto the stool next to him, fury simmering beneath my skin. Once the cops find whoever did this, I’ll make damn sure they regret it, I swear.

Shilo barely touches his food, pushing the soup around with his spoon and ignoring the sandwich entirely. Sighing heavily, I reach out to gently pry the spoon from his hand.

“Open up, baby.”

He scowls when I lift the spoon to his mouth. “I’m not a baby.”