Page 80 of Possession

“Huds.”

“Good boy.” She kisses the top of his head, then bends down to place him on the floor while I kneel to let him greet his little brother.

“Be gentle.” I look at him pointedly, and he nods. “Stroke his hair.” His small hand hovers over Hudson’s head, and he makes a stroking motion, and I chuckle. “We’ll work on it, little man.”

“Huds.” He grins from ear to ear.

“Are you going to look after him? You need to be a good big brother, protect him. Do you think you can do that for me?”

My son’s gaze meets mine, and he straightens his shoulders as he stares back at me. “Yes, Papa.”His words are clear and concise, full of confidence.

And I know without a shadow of a doubt that he will.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Ellie

It’s been two weeks of bliss, two weeks of Rafael barely leaving our side. Tommy has stepped up and taken some of the burden off his brother, and I couldn’t be more thankful for it. Jade has established a perfect routine with baby Faith and has given me tips on nursing Hudson.

Today Rafael was pissed because he’s been called into the warehouse. Apparently, Rocco has been busting his balls, and he’s no choice but to go there.

After Oliver’s tutors are finished with his classes, I set him up with a painting exercise in the kitchen while I quickly change Hudson to lay him down for a nap.

I place a kiss on the top of his head, then button up his romper, but I pull back sharply at the sound of a muffled cry that has my blood freezing. Something inside of me knows Oliver is in danger, that he’s hurt, and I move quickly to place Hudson in the bassinet and rush from the nursery as quickly as possible.

“Oliver?” Did he climb on a chair to get cookies and fall? Oh god, did he switch the stove on?

My chest feels like it’s constricting, and it’s like my feet barely touch the floor as I fly down the stairs. “Oliver?” I push into the kitchen, but hands wrap around me and throw me to the ground so hard it causes my head to bounce off the marble tiles. My vision turns hazy, but I fight through it when Oliver rushes to my side, sobbing. Blinking, my blood curdles when I see he has a red handprint on his little cheek, and anger surges inside me like a tsunami as I push to sit up. “Mamma,” he cries as he attempts to help me up, his little hands gripping my arm to aid me, and the action clutches on my heart strings.

“Shhh.” I stroke over his face as my vision rights itself.

Fingernails clicking on the counter have my eyes snapping up to see Nikita staring at us from the barstool glaring vitriol in my direction. This woman hates me with a passion, and when she sneers at Oliver like he’s dirt, I find my spine straightening. She’s going to hurt us.

Both of us.

My fingers tremble to locate the phone in my jeans pocket as I discreetly tug it out and slide it behind my back. Fumbling with it, I pray I press the right number.

“Isn’t this sweet? The little bastard attempts to speak.” I wince at her cruel words, hating the fact that Oliver can hear them.

My jaw sharpens as I glare back at her with equal venom.

“I thought you said he was still mute?” Another voice has my head snapping to the side as two of Kendal finally slide into one.

“He is.” She curls her lip toward him, and my heart plummets at her derogatory words. This woman is meant to be his mother, yet she’s acting inhuman, and I want to destroy her for it while showering my boy in the motherly love he deserves.

Oliver’s lip wobbles, and I stroke over his face. “Let Mommy deal with them, baby. You take this and look after Hudson. Okay?” I whisper only for his ears.

He pauses, and I know he doesn’t want to leave me. I don’t want to leave him either, but I need to get him as far away from them as possible.

On shaky legs. I stand and push Oliver behind me. Noticing the knife on the counter, I snag it. “Oliver, run!” I scream as Kendal saunters toward me, and fear grips me at the gun aimed in my direction. All I can think about is protecting our boys, hoping I pressed the right number for Oliver to reach Rafael on.

With strength I didn’t know I had, I sail through the air like a madwoman. A shot rings out, but I slam the knife into her chest as we battle with one another. Glass shattering becomes background noise to our tussle, but her strangled choke alerts me to the fact she’s hurt, and I find a little comfort in that knowledge as my mind catches up with the floating sensation taking over my body.

Then I slip to the floor, my eyes battling to stay open, and I attempt to scream for someone to help Oliver, but nothing comes out. The feeling of helplessness consumes me as the realization that I failed our boys takes over.

I failed Rafael.

A lone tear trickles out of me as everything slips away.

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