Page 19 of All Our Secrets

“Hey, you listen here. My house. My rules. If I think I need someone here, I’ll say so. Nothing has happened since the other night. I don’t need you.”

“Oh?” There was a question in Silas’s tone I didn’t like. “You don’t need saving? Okay then.”

I caressed T.J.’s head softly, the hairs on my arms rising as I glowered. “Okay then.”

“Is that what you thought I’d say?” He grunted, lips curling up on one side like he found the entire conversation ridiculous. “I’m not leaving you in this house alone.”

“Oh my G—”

I was cut off by a knock at the front door.

“Peyton? Is that Silas’s truck I see outside?” Rosie called out as the door creaked open.

“Oh thank God,” I muttered aloud.

I rushed past Silas, quickening my pace when I breathed in his woodsy man smell. “Could you tell Silas I do not need him or anyone staying with me?”

Rosie’s forehead crinkled. “Did something else happen?”

“No,” I said at the same time Silas said, “No, but it could.”

Rosie smiled and tossed her hand out to rub his arm. “Oh King, why trouble yourself so much? If something happens, Peyton can stay with us.”

“That’s not necessary,” I rushed out.

“Maybe she should,” Silas agreed, the right corner of his mouth easing upagain.

Was he actually going to smile over my discomfort? I liked it better when I’d thought Silas didn’t know how to smile. He was lucky I had T.J. in my arms, or I might actually resort to stabbing him with a fork.

“Since Rosie is here, maybe she won’t mind spending the night, and I’ll come back tomorrow.”

“I don’t mind, but you don’t have to bother yourself, King,” Rosie went on.

“Theo wouldn’t want her alone after what happened.”

Rosie touched her bottom lip, frowning. “You’re absolutely right.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow.” Silas waved and left.

I gawked at the empty doorway he’d disappeared through. That infuriating man.

Rosie sighed. “King is a good boy. It’s a shame he ended things with Becky. I’m afraid he’ll be alone forever.”

A thirty-three-year-old grouch is hardly a boy, Rosie.I kept that comment to myself.

“Let me go grab myself a change of clothes, and I’ll tell Gerald I’m staying with you tonight.”

Damn it, Silas.

∞∞∞

I startled awake at the sound of my bedroom door squeaking open. Rubbing my neck, I grimaced at the stiffness there. Getting up from the rocking chair, I flicked on the shade lamp on the nightstand beside my bed. “Rosie?” I called out.

When she didn’t answer, I checked on Junior. Directly in front of the crib, I stepped in something wet. What…? Ice filled my veins as I took in the boot tracks on the hardwood floors. They stopped no more than a foot away from where my son slept. Scooping T.J. up, I rushed out of my room, calling for Rosie.

“What is it?” She stepped out of the spare bedroom, rubbing one eye.

My heartbeat roared in my ears as I stammered. “B-b-boot prints. Right at T.J.’s crib.”

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