Page 19 of Midnight Rain

“Aunt Paloma, I can’t.” Austin fought back tears that she thought of him as her own. “I have to go to the salon tomorrow and see if they’re hiring. I can’t live off of you.”

She threw her arms up. “Why do you boys fight me on keeping you safe?” she asked. “Orion refused to stay home once he was released from the hospital.”

“I’ll watch over Austin,” Cormac said.

“But who’s going to watch over her while I’m not here?” Austin asked as he waved a hand at his aunt.

“You can’t have it both ways.” Cormac wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Either she puts you on lockdown or I become your bodyguard.”

“But that still doesn’t tell me who’ll keep an eye on my aunt,” Austin argued. “I moved two cities over, and Jaycee still found me. It’s only a matter of time until he finds me again.”

Austin wasn’t going to believe that Jaycee had given up on him. He’d been too obsessed, and someone like that didn’t simply walk away. Austin had no idea how Jaycee had found him, but someone that determined shouldn’t be dismissed.

“Would you like to stay at my house, Paloma?” Cormac asked. “We have plenty of space.”

“I won’t let some sick pig run me out of my own home,” she said.

“Fine,” Cormac said. “Since I’m Austin’s bodyguard, I’ll just stay here.”

“I can’t ask you to do that,” Austin said. “You have your own life.”

“Then you two come stay with me.” Cormac shrugged. “I’m a very stubborn man, and I’m not going to leave either of you vulnerable. That will give you more time with Milly in the kitchen, Paloma.”

“Don’t you dare use my weakness against me,” she said.

“I can’t intrude.” Austin didn’t want to go back to Cormac’s when Duncan was still pissed. He’d seen the two fighting before they were pulled apart. It had been more like a fierce battle, and Austin had seriously feared for both of them. He had never seen two men try to kill each other.

That was what it had looked like.

“There are plenty of bedrooms in the house,” Cormac said. “More than me and my brothers would ever use.”

Austin looked at his aunt.

Her lips were flat as she stared at Cormac. “I’ll go, if only to stop you and Duncan from fighting again, though I doubt Orion will be happy that I’m staying there. No one wants their mother under the same room when they’re dating two men.”

“I can vouch that the walls are solid. You won’t be scarred for life by hearing things you don’t want to.”

“Is it okay to have Lila there?” Austin still wasn’t sure about this. He’d just met the family today. What if Cormac’s brothers didn’t want them there? Or Milly?

“She’s welcome.” Cormac winked. “We can teach her to pee on Duncan’s shoes.”

“You’re terrible,” Austin said, though he was fighting a smile. He couldn’t help it. Not when Cormac knew how to lighten Austin’s mood and put him at ease.

Still, Austin looked at his aunt. “I’m sorry for not telling you before I asked to stay here.”

She pulled Austin from his chair and hugged him. “You have nothing to apologize for. You did the right thing by coming here. Your safety is very important to me.”

Austin closed his eyes as he soaked up her affection, something he’d been lacking his entire life. Sometimes that was all a kid wanted from their parent, even when they were grown. To know they mattered.

Clearing his throat, Austin eased out of her hug.

“I’ll need a moment to gather some things,” Paloma said. “A woman can’t just throw some clothes in a bag and declare she’s ready.”

Something passed behind Cormac’s eyes. “Take all the time you need, Paloma.”

She kissed Cormac’s cheek and then Austin’s before she left the room.

“That woman gives more kisses than anyone I know.” Cormac got up and took his plate to the sink, but Austin had a feeling the guy needed a minute to himself.

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