Until Arden

I haven’t stopped shaking since the phone call, so when Dash asks us to stay at his house a while longer, I agree. I feel better not being alone, and yet even with him sitting next to me, I feel a million miles away.

If Shane knows where we are, we have to leave. I can’t let him hurt Holden, and I have no doubt he would do it simply to get back at me. Then there’s that portion of my brain that remains trained to blame myself for everything that’s happened. If I had been honest—if I hadn’t tried to hide his son from him... He would have still set out to hurt us both.

I won’t let Holden grow up with this burden.

Dash fixes Holden a quick meal and sets him up at the coffee table in front of me to eat. I’ve been trying to pay attention to them, but my mind is exhausted.

Dash sits next to me, putting his arm around my shoulders and pulling me closer. Not wanting Holden to hear the conversation, I pull out my phone and type out a message to Dash.

I don’t know what to do.

He takes my phone and types on the next line.

The Maysons will help.

How? How is a construction company going to help with this?

Dash types another line.

Talon’s cousins and uncle work in private security.

I yank my phone back.

I can’t afford private security.

He squeezes me to his chest, while typing his next message. Will you at least talk to them? They will know how to handle this.

I clench my jaw and shake my head, but it’s more out of weariness than a final answer. Twisting in my seat to face Dash, I lean my cheek against his shoulder.

He types one final line on my phone and hands it back.

We will get through this.

I slide my fingers along his jawline, feeling the coarse hairs against my skin. The, I lift my head to look into his eyes, and mouth, okay.

“I need to make some calls.” Dash cups my cheek and presses his mouth to mine.

I lay across the couch, staring at the cartoon on the screen. I need a mental vacation, however brief it may be.

When Holden finishes eating, he stands and taps the side of my face. “Mommy?”

“Sorry, buddy. What’s up?”

“Are you sad?”

“It’s been a hard day, and I’m really tired.”

“You need cuddles?”

His sweet eyes bring a smile to my face, and I scoot back so he can squeeze onto the couch next to me. He curls up in my embrace, snuggling into me as I stroke his hair. My baby is safe. For now.

We lie together for a while, before a knock on the door sends my heart into my throat.

“It’s just Talon,” Dash says, rushing out of the kitchen. “He and Mia brought the kids over to visit with Timber.”

Holden sits up. “And me?”

“Yeah, buddy. As long as you play nice.” I glare at Dash for bringing even more people into this. I see his reasoning, but how much did he tell them? Do they all realize what Shane is capable of?

Holden jumps off the couch to greet the other kids as Talon and Mia enter the room. I should get up. I should say something, but it takes all the energy I currently have to smile and wave.

Dash takes the lead, and although I’m still a little irritated by it all, I let him. At least until there’s no chance of Holden overhearing.

When he returns from showing everyone to the back yard, I drop my feet off the couch. “You remember what happened to the last person who tried to help me, right? And all he did was offer me a ride.”

“Yes, Ari.” Sitting next to me, he takes my hand and rubs his thumb over my wrist. “Talon is informed. He offered to keep Holden distracted so we can talk. His cousin Jax and one of his co-workers will be stopping by.”

“This isn’t your fight. This isn’t their fight, and I don’t want to drag anyone else down.”

Dash pulls me into his lap and rubs my back. “Of course this is my fight. I care about you and Holden, and if Shane is a threat, I don’t have to think twice about putting myself between him and either of you.”

“And all the other people we’re dragging in along the way?”

“This is not their first rodeo. Shane wants to fuck with you now, he’s going to answer to a lot of people who have dealt with worse than him.” Dash kisses my forehead and I collapse against him.

Worse than Shane? I know Shane isn’t the worst that the world has to offer, but in my world, that comparison doesn’t mean much.