AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s been years, Cam. Sometimes, I wonder if I even chipped your armor.”
“Believe me, you have.” I raise my eyes to the ceiling. “I have to bring my wife home.”
“It’s the middle of the night.”
Standing up, I groan, but peel my jacket off and recline on the ottoman.
Alessandra fidgets with her hands on the duvet. “I’m afraid to tell Hayden.”
My brows draw together. One thing I would put my hand in the fire for is my brother’s endless love for his wife. “Why would you?”
“He’s supportive. He’s the best husband and father. What if something had happened to Leia?”
“Don’t project your fears onto him.”
“But . . .”
Her lips quiver and I place my hand on her shoulder. “Kids get hurt. Stop feeling guilty about hypothetical stuff.”
“Worry is part of it, Cam.”
“Go to sleep. I am here. You’re both safe.”
I return to the ottoman and lean back. Alessandra falls back asleep. Closing my eyes, I process everything I’ve just learned. I can’t believe Violet, the woman afraid of everything, saved Celia. A smile tugs at my lips. Maybe it’s exhaustion or pride, but Violet is the glue I never thought we needed.
“Cam?”
I hear my brother’s voice penetrating my sleep, shaking me awake. I sit up and I shush him. He looks at Alessandra’s sleeping form with a warmth he reserves only for her. Then he jerks his chin to the door. We go downstairs and into the living room.
“What happened?” Hayden asks.
“Celia almost fell to her death, Violet caught her, and now Alessandra’s afraid she’s a terrible mother.”
He sinks down on the couch, looking exhausted. He rubs at the bags under his eyes.
“Thank you for being here.”
“You know she’s going to question her career again.”
He grits his teeth. “That will never happen. I’m back. Fuck, I hate when we have to take care of business and neglect our family.”
“We have one head. The others will start rolling in.”
Incredulity brims in his eyes. “I can’t believe it was your woman. This has to be the surprise of my life. I guess you’re good at something.”
“Fuck you.”
“You’re still here. What? Do you need a hug? You look like a lost puppy.”
“Violet’s not home,” I grumble.
“Then sleep in the guest room.”
I nod and we go upstairs. I get in bed, and I’m dead to the world.
***
I wake up to my niece’s giggles and her tiny body bouncing on my chest.
