Controlled Burn (Blackbridge Security 8)

A smile spreads across my face. Kason has been the hardest one to win over, but it seems I’m finally making some progress.

Then he leans in close to his mom and whispers, “But watch out for all the other women. I heard the teachers talking about turning that sweat-wiping video into a GIF.”

Both Kendall and I huff a laugh, and I wink at her when she looks over her shoulder at me.

Kason yawns, and although Kayleigh looks like she’s ready to climb out of bed and start playing, Knox is already back asleep in Kendall’s arms.

“Get some rest,” she tells Kason as he lowers himself back down to the mattress. “You too, sweet girl.”

Kayleigh listens to her mom, lying down, her eyes blinking slowly.

“You guys can sleep late tomorrow.”

“No school?” Kason asks on another yawn.

“No school,” Kendall promises, waiting on the bed until they’re all back asleep.

I think she’s going to curl up and sleep beside them but after watching them for a few minutes, she stands from the bed, covers them back up, and backs away.

I wait in the hall as she closes the bedroom door.

“We can bring them home in the morning,” Whitney offers as we walk back into the living room.

“Thank you,” Kendall says. “I’d stay, but I need a shower.”

“Of course,” Whitney says. “And you’re welcome to come back if you want.”

Wren tries to cover a yawn with the back of his hand, but Kendall notices.

“We’ll get out of your way so you can go to sleep.”

I clap Wren on the back in appreciation for all he’s done for us and nod at Whitney before following Kendall out the front door.

When we get back to the condo, I have to guide her away from the hall bathroom. She doesn’t say a word as I guide her into my en suite and start pulling her clothes off.

“Wait here,” I tell her as I dart out of the room and head to the kitchen.

I’m back in front of her in a matter of seconds with a bag and rubber band to cover her cast.

She seems nearly catatonic when we climb into the shower, and although I can’t control my dick at the sight of her naked body, I don’t make any overtures for sex. I just need exactly this—washing her body, feeling her skin under the tips of my fingers. I’m happy just knowing she’s whole and mostly unharmed.

Her bones will heal. It’s the darkness in her eyes I’m worried most about.

She doesn’t say a word in the shower or after we climb out and I dry her body. She doesn’t argue when I pull one of my t-shirts over her head and guide her to my bed.

I curl around her back, holding her as close as possible without actually lying on top of her.

And the words I couldn’t find earlier are still absent as she cries herself to sleep.

Chapter 35

Kendall

There’s a moment, a flash of seconds when I first wake up, that the entire world feels right. The warmth of Finn’s body at my back makes me want to hum in contentment, but my eyes land on my wrist, the white cast a stark reminder of just how imperfect my life is.

His arm holds me tighter, making me realize he’s already awake, and I picture him telling me that I’m too much trouble to keep around, but that wouldn’t really matter. I have my own plans, and since the safety of my children is all that matters, they don’t include him. I can’t take anything else into consideration, doing so would be selfish.

He tries to keep me locked against him when I shift to get out of bed, but when I continue to pull away, his hold loosens.

Leaving the room, I head straight to the hall bathroom, taking care of business then brushing the nasty out of my mouth.

I plan to hide in my bedroom, but I’m stuck looking at myself in the mirror. Placing my cast behind my back, I take a long hard look at myself. Someone seeing me wouldn’t have a clue that I went through hell and back last night, but I can tell by the darkness under my eyes and the sadness that feels bone-deep. Yesterday changed me, and I don’t think I’ll ever get back the pieces those men robbed from me. Thinking my kids were dead, even for the shortest amount of time, took literal years off my life, and I’m determined to never feel that way again.

I give Finn a sad look when I find him standing in the hall waiting for me, but when I open my mouth to speak to him, he swallows my words with his mouth against mine.

The kiss isn’t feverish, and if I let myself dream, I’d say it was passionate and appreciative.

His hands go around my waist, and he lifts my feet from the floor, carrying me back to his room.