“You loved me, but you still left.”
She tilts her head, watching me closely. “You know why I did that, Nathaniel. That’s not fair.”
I hold up a hand to stop her. “I didn’t say that to be an asshole. I’m pointing out that sometimes love will make you do something crazy even though you think it’s the right thing.”
She sighs. “All right. I’ll keep an eye on her. But I also think Beast needs to see someone. This new thing feels wrong.”
I shake my head. “He will never do it. Even trying to get him to see the shrinks at the Church when he was a kid was hell. The moment he suspects anyone trying to get into his head he will lose his shit.”
She’s quiet for a few seconds before she speaks again. “I guess you’re right.”
The way Fem cares for my boys makes me love her more. I know they’d never consider her a mother figure considering they are all older than she is, but I know they view her like a sister.
I nod, before standing up. I drop a kiss on her forehead.
“I’m going to shower. I’ll get you out when I’m done.”
I go over to the walk-in shower and turn on the water ready to wash the smell of sex off my body.
After getting out of the shower and getting Fem out, I put her to bed. She was too tired to go back up the stairs, so I put her in the bed in the playroom. I made my way down the hall heading toward the staircase when noises from the gym caught my attention. I head in that direction.
When I walk into the room, I freeze in place.
“What the hell is going on in here?”
Standing, with a big ass bowie knife in his small hand, was Gabe. Puzzler is standing in front of him showing him how to grip it.
Gabe drops his head looking down at the floor.
Emory immediately starts to sign. “Don’t be mad papa Priest. Gabe wants to learn how to fight. I just wanted to teach him a few things.”
I walk into the room and kneel in front of Gabe.
“Is that true, Gabe. Do you want to learn how to fight?”
He nods his head as he starts to flick his forefinger against his thumb.
“Hey,” I say getting his attention. “Lift your head and look at me.”
He slowly lifts his head, his fingers still flicking. Slowly, I place my hand over his, halting his flicking. He doesn’t turn to look at the action.
“Why do you want to learn to fight?”
Emory waves, causing me to turn to her. “He says he wants to—” I hold up a hand to stop Emory.
“I want him to answer,” I wink at her. She smiles and nods at me understanding my reason for stopping her explanation. If Gabe wants to learn to be like us, he has to be able to speak up for himself.
Gabe looks over my head.
“Look at me, son.” I wait until his gaze falls on me. “The first lesson you need to learn about being able to fight is looking your opponent or anyone in the eye. Even if it feels weird. Okay?”
He nods.
“Use your words.”
“Yes,” he finally says.
“Now, tell me why you want to learn to fight?”