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“Baby, stop. I’m right here. I’ll stay right here and protect you while you do what you need. And when everything is just the way you need it be, I’ll carry you across the yard and run you a bath.”

I sniffle. “Shower first, then bath.”

“Whatever you need.” He bumps the door shut with his hip and walks along the van to the back doors. “You okay to stand? Or do you want me to hold you while I open things up and check for bad guys?”

“Don’t make fun of me.” I cling to his shoulders, squeezing my thighs to hike myself higher up his body as my gaze skims every surface almost too fast to register what’s there and what isn’t. “Carry me?”

His chest rumbles with a laugh. Kind, mature person that I am, I allow it because I’m sure if the tables were turned, I would be amused too. He sweeps the beam of the flashlight, opens the doors, and sweeps again. “You’re clear.”

“But—”

“I’m going to stay right here. I’ll be your eyes while you do what you need to get done.” His hold on me loosens, and I relax one little muscle at a time until I’m sliding down his big, broad body. Of course he’s not scared, he’s too big for those bastards to eat in one bite.

I grab Eddie’s hand and have him lead me to my work bench where I grab my cleaning bucket and a fair approximation of the supplies I need to restock.

He graciously illuminates a broad, clear path to the back of the van and then does another sweep of light over everything. “Good?”

I give him a tight nod and cautiously climb into the cargo hold. When the interior light comes on, it’s blinding and puts every little thing on display. No gleaming eyes, no scaly skin, no gaping mouths full of teeth ready to take me out.

Just my van.

I stock my materials and wipe down all the surfaces. Feeling an iota of confidence… smidgen? A modicum? Meh, iota works, and I’m tired. That hint of confidence is enough that I pop my head out of the back and ask, “Will you hand me that broom and then grab the chemical jugs on the middle shelf of the work bench? Wait…” I focus on his SUV sitting dark in my driveway. “Is Evie napping?”

Eddie hands me the broom and heaves a sigh. This one is different… I don’t like it. “She’s with her mother.” He disappears from view before returning with a plastic jug in each hand.

And me? I’m still reeling from the sadness in his statement as well as the content. “What? Why?”

“She showed up at my office when I had a client, no receptionist, and a sleepy, cranky girl losing her shit.” He sets the chemicals on the floor of the van and slides them deeper inside, leaving a big smear of something in their wake. “What’s this?” He reaches out before the single syllable of no can pass my lips and swipes his thumb through what can only be a biohazard and a very bad thing.

Red stains Eddie’s skin and without a word, he drops to the ground in a heap.

Chapter 20

Messier

EDDIE

After surviving a workday with a toddler, a client who acted like one, and then my missing baby mama showing up and whisking said kid away against my very explicit instructions, I ended up splayed out on Jess’s garage floor.

At this point, I think I’m just grateful that she didn’t dip my hand in warm water to wipe away the substance. Pissing myself would be one step too far and a point I don’t think I could return from.

“Come on. Let’s get you in the house, big guy. Scrub your hands, get some electrolytes in you.” With our marked size difference, it’s comical the way Jess tries to manhandle me.

Any other day, I’d welcome sitting back and watching her try and giving her free rein over me.

Just not today.

“I’m fine, Jess. Really.” It comes out harsher than necessary. Harsher than I intend.

After an uncomfortable hesitation, she pulls back, and I lose her touch. It’s not at all what I want but maybe that’s my punishment for being short just now.

“I can make dinner, unless that’s an issue too.”

I heave out a breath and palm my face, wanting nothing more than to scrub this entire day away. Every part of it after our shared moment this morning. It’s just gone downhill since then.

“You’re not the issue; it’s me.”

She cuts off the rest with a sardonic laugh before I have a chance to elaborate. “That one’s right up there with We need to talk, buddy. Not on the list of things a girl loves to hear.”