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Emma puts her hand on Reagan’s knee. “Rae, sweetheart—”
“I suppose I am now.”
Emma stops short. I probably should have spoken to her first before answering Reagan’s question but, hell, you don’t always have the time to discuss everything. And this feels right.
“I thought so,” she hums knowingly.
Emma’s eyes are fixed on me but I keep my gaze on Reagan, Caroline, and Josh. “I’m new to this whole fatherhood thing,” I admit. “And I’m probably gonna make a lot of mistakes along the way.”
“We’ll help you,” Josh offers softly.
Emma’s bottom lip gives a little quiver. “I know you will, Josh,” I say with a smile. “And even with that help, I’ll still fall short. But one thing you can be sure of—I will never let anyone hurt you guys. I’m gonna keep you safe and if anyone tries to hurt you three… well, I’ll just have to kill them.”
I probably should have rephrased the end of that sentence. Emma lets out a shocked little gasp but the kids look delighted. Josh is smiling and Reagan and Caroline giggle.
“He’s talking metaphorically, angels,” Emma says, throwing me a fierce glare. “Right,Ruslan?”
I nod as solemnly as I can. “Something like that.”
Then the girls jump on top of me, squealing with delight, and, a few seconds later, I hear Emma’s laughter join theirs.
* * *
We don’t usually train in the evenings, but tonight, Josh insisted. It was only six and Emma had already taken the girls upstairs for their baths so I figured, why not?
I’ve come to look forward to our boxing lessons just as much as he does. It’s more than just a lesson in self-defense at this point; it’s a lesson in life.
Ever since Josh started therapy, he’s been so much more focused in the ring. But there’s none of the same anxious desperation in it that marked that first day. Now, he’s smooth and calm and controlled and powerful.
It makes me so fucking proud.
“So,” I say during our break, “how’s therapy going?”
I don’t usually ask unless Josh brings it up himself, but there’s a lightness about him today that encourages me to bring up the topic.
“Good. I like Dr. Alicia.”
“I’m glad. And the nightmares have stopped?”
Josh glances at me. “Yeah. No more of ‘em.”
I already know that. I’ve taken to standing outside Josh’s door at odd times in the night just to make sure. Emma caught me once and I pretended that I’d gotten a call and had to take it in the hallway.
She has worried enough about these kids for one lifetime. It’s time for me to take over that responsibility.
“Ruslan, can I ask you something?”
“You can always ask me anything, Josh.”
He gives me a small, tight smile. “What do youreallydo?”
I answer carefully. “I run a company called Bane Security. That’s how your aunt and I met. She was my secretary.”
Josh shakes his head. “Yeah, I know that’s what you do officially. But I want to know what youreallydo.”
Is he asking me what I think he’s asking me?
“Josh…”
