Swallowing my rage I tapped her hip. Salem looked down at me, her eyes barely opened. “Lean on me,” I mumbled. Her dainty hand reached for my shoulder, while the other grabbed my head. Grabbing her foot, I washed both of them before placing them back down onto the ground.
Getting up, I grabbed my shampoo and washed her hair, being careful in case they’d hit her on the head. Conditioner next, I rinsed off, grabbed a towel and wrapped it around myself. Picking her up, she snuggled into my neck again.
I carried her into my bedroom, where I dried her off. Grabbing a shirt, I tugged it over her head. “Come on, get under the covers.” Tugging the blankets down she slid under them.
“Zane,” her voice broke.
“It's okay,” I said bringing her to my chest. “I got you.”
I had no idea what that meant, but whatever it was, I was here. If that meant holding her while she felt broken or helping her shower. If that meant fighting her and letting her get her anger out. I would be whatever she needed. I had no idea what that even fucking meant, but damnit this woman had my heart. She had the cold black thing. I would rip it from my chest and let her fucking have it. I wanted to see her smile, for her to laugh.
Something about her was calling my name.
“Thank you,” Salem muttered before her breathing evened out and she began softly snoring.
______________
After Salem fell asleep, I showered quickly before making my way downstairs, where I found Mila making breakfast, Tobias watching as she did. Killian was sitting at the kitchen table with his computer open. Dimitri was sipping his steaming cup of coffee watching Mila with all the love in his eyes.
Before I had no idea why Dimitri would go to war for her, how he could have so much love for someone. It was hard for me to deal with natural human emotions. I had normal parents, they loved me, but for some reason I couldn’t. I had no idea what was wrong with me, but I hated human contact. I hated humans. I was just an angry person.
Dimitri stared at his wife and son like they were the world, and to him they were.
Making my way closer to the coffee, I poured myself a cup.
“Hi, Uncle Zaney.” Tobias smiled up at me. Leaning against the counter by him I nudged him with my shoulder.
“Where have you been?” he asked, shoving a piece of bacon into his mouth.
“You miss me?” I said, smirking at him.
My heart broke when he looked up at me, his eyes showing all emotions of pure sadness. “Hmm.”
I hadn’t realized I was gone that much, but now I saw it. The moment we arrived here I was stuck on being away as much as I could. I never left Tobias more than a few days if I needed to. I felt like complete shit realizing I hurt this child.
“Hey, how about after I talk with your dad and Uncle Killian, I take you to get some ice cream and maybe we can hit some toy store?” I wagged my eyebrows, giving him the best smile I could.
“Really?” Tobias all but screamed excitedly.
“As long as the parents say it’s all good.” I eyed Dimitri and Mila. Dimitri glared at me, most likely because of this meeting I called. Mila on the other hand looked like she was about to jump out of her skin from how big her damn smile was.
“Dadda.” Tobias looked over at Dimitri. I waited for him to say no, and I think Mila knew this as well because just as he went to open his mouth probably to tell me to go fuck myself, Mila went and stood next to her husband placing her hand on his arm.
“I think that’ll be great, Zane, plus tonight we’re having that dinner, remember.” Mila smiled looking between everyone. A warning that if we didn’t show up, she’d rain hell down on us.
“Everyone will be there, Moy tsvetok,” he muttered, kissing the side of her head, giving me a sharp look, which had me nodding my head in understanding. I was on thin ice around them. I was acting like a dick towards Mila for no reason lately. We had worked through our issues years ago. I didn’t know why I am acting like this now. I mean, for fuck’s sake I was the one who delivered Tobias. I didn’t think Dimitri held it against me, but I also knew he was a little upset that I had seen way too much of Mila.
“Including the girl upstairs in your bed?” Killian decided to partake in this discussion. Rolling my eyes, I looked over at his smug look. Killian had always been a smug bastard. He always had a comment somewhere shoved up from his ass, and never cared if no one wanted to hear it.
“What girl?” Mila looked over at Killian, who was now smirking at me. I was going to have to remember to beat his ass later.
“A girl?” Tobias sounded disgusted. “In your bed.”Shit.“Mommy, why would there be a girl in the bed?” he asked, staring at his parents. Again his father was glaring at me like I was the one who opened my mouth and said there was a girl in my bed. No, that was all Killian, so why was he wanting to murder me? I had no idea.
“Hey, malen'kiy mal'chik.”Little boy.“I have a meeting with your uncles, but after we’re done, Zane is going to take you out and buy youanythingyour little heart desires.”
“Anything?” He laughed, turning back towards me from the counter.
I could feel all their eyes on me, waiting for my answer. Of course, I would get Tobias anything, I always did. But the way they were saying it showed a different agenda. Swallowing the lump in my throat I smiled at him. “Yes, of course, anything you want.”