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Blinking away my tears, I realize he’s speaking to me. When I only stare, his gaze warms. I’d smile at him if I weren’t so tired. Winning over the rich, scary man is very much the smartest move here.
Yet, I had plans for my evening that didn’t involve all this activity. With my kids in bed, I wanted to snuggle under a blanket and eat goldfish crackers. Soon, I’d doze off on the couch while watching “Bachelor in Paradise.” I had to remain in the living room, just in case Neal returned home and wanted a second round with Blair. I’d play referee and focus his rage on me. I had everything planned out.
Now, Neal is dead somewhere. My gaze flashes to Nomad’s battered knuckles. I look up at his face and try to remember what he asked me.
“I didn’t know your kids slept in two beds together. Can they handle their own rooms?”
“No,” Blair answers for me. “Do you have a big bed? We can sleep all together like when we’re at our grandparents’ house.”
Nomad looks at the child before returning his gaze to me. I can’t believe this giant man is real. When I saw him around Beehive Ridge, I kept my distance. He feels too large for the world. At nearly five ten, I’m taller than an average woman. Though I rarely feel tiny next to men, I do with Nomad.
“Do you have a large bed for them?” I finally ask when my brain centers on what’s happening now.
Seeming bothered as he looks at Woodrow, he mumbles, “There’s a guest room.”
“We’ll move the security feed to that room,” says the other man before adding, “That way their mom can watch them.”
I take a moment to realize what Woodrow means. I’m not sharing a room with the kids. I can’t imagine Nomad wants me in his bed. I’m a bloated and bruised mess, but maybe he’s into that sort of thing.
“Mama,” Beckett says, studying me. I admire him as he rubs my belly. “Baby.”
Brooklyn rests her ear on my stomach and feels her little sister kicking. I share their smiles. Beau sits on the edge of the couch and watches the lights.
Suddenly, my exhaustion morphs into the worst giggles. I reach over to stroke Beau’s cheek as his eyes glow with satisfaction.
“Here’s the milk,” Blair says and hands out the sippy cups.
I reach for my firstborn and tug her to the couch. We’re all together right now, safe in this beautiful house and surrounded by people who claim to be our allies.
Of course, I don’t know what’ll happen next. I can’t help worrying I’ve brought my babies into a worse hell.
Yet, right now, I’m too exhausted not to see the bright side of our situation.
SILAS
This wasn’t the planat all. I had a vision of Landry’s little ones reacting to their rooms. Weeks ago, I got a local lady to work with Rosemary to decorate four bedrooms in styles to fit each kid.
