Keep Her From Harm (The Denton Family Legacy 4)

“Hello, Mrs. Denton.”

“Please, call me Charlotte.” His mother looked toward Jacob and Gabriel. “Hello, boys.” Then she was herding Mia into the house, and he saw that his father was standing in the doorway.

“Mom still not talking to Dad?” Damian asked.

“Last time I checked, no, she wasn’t,” Jacob said. “I’m going to head home. I’ll see you all in the morning.”

Jacob climbed back behind the wheel and headed out of the grounds.

Damian wasn’t about to stay and linger. Ignoring Gabriel and his father, he made his way upstairs to find his mother and Mia in the nursery where Martha was sleeping. He watched from the doorway as Mia placed Reese gently into the spare crib. His mother always kept the nursery updated for her grandkids.

“Thank you so much,” Mia said.

“I’ll leave you two alone,” Charlotte said.

Damian entered the room, and moved toward his little girl. The pain of guilt struck him hard as he stared down into his beautiful daughter’s face.

“Are you okay?” Mia asked.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine.” He stroked Martha’s cheek, seeing Betty in her cute baby features. The curse was something he would have to live with for the rest of his life. Knowing that because he couldn’t love Betty the way she wanted, she’d taken her own life. He didn’t want to live with that, but would do so.

“She’s so beautiful.”

“I know.” He chuckled. “I’m her dad, so of course I’m going to think she’s the most precious thing in the world, and she is.” I’m sorry, baby girl. I’m sorry for being a fucking asshole, and for

leaving you. I won’t do it again. “I’ll get you settled into your room for the night, and that way you can get some sleep.”

She reached out, gripping his arm. “Thank you.”

“What for?” he asked.

“For being nice. It has been a long time that someone has been this nice to me, and I appreciate it.”

Damian wanted to tell her about his curse, about how they were destined to be together, but he didn’t. She didn’t feel anything. From what he had learned from his father and uncles, the women didn’t have a clue about how devoted their men were. Even his mother had fought his father every step of the way.

“Sometimes we just need someone looking out for us.” He took her across the hall where her bedroom would be. “You should find everything you need. Night wear, bathroom is through there. If you look in the cabinet above the sink Mom always keeps spare toothbrushes.” He moved toward the side of the bed. “And there’s also a little nursery radio thing for you to hear Reese.”

“Wow, you really do think of everything.”

“We do. I’ve got to go and talk with my dad. I’ll see you in the morning.” He stepped toward her, and she stayed still. All he wanted to do was tug her into his arms, and hold her close. He stopped himself from doing that. Instead, he pressed a kiss to her forehead, and left.

He made his way downstairs to find his mother in the kitchen. His father and Gabriel was also stood there, and he saw Landon was as well. He thought Landon had flown to England to spend some time with his own girl, Sarah, but clearly, he hadn’t.

“Is that your girl?” Charlotte asked.

“Yes, that’s my girl. The moment I saw her in Ivan Smith’s office I knew who she was.”

“And she has a son,” Maddox, his father, said.

“You shouldn’t talk about having a son,” Charlotte said, turning to glare at him. “Don’t even think to judge that woman upstairs.”

“I think I should go,” Gabriel said.

“No, this is as much your home as anyone else’s,” Charlotte said. “You’re a Denton, and I told you that.”

“I’ve upset you.”

Charlotte took a deep breath and smiled. “There are a lot of things that upset me in this world, Gabriel. Your birth isn’t one of them. I wish I had been able to have known you and your mother.” She turned toward him. “Damian, I hope this means you’re sticking around now. I look forward to getting to know Mia and Reese. I’m going to bed.” With that, she left the kitchen, leaving his father looking toward her.