Page 20 of All Our Secrets

Rosie sucked in a breath. “Call Gerald. Right now. Did you see anyone?”

I shook my head. Slowly, we crept into my room. I flipped on the light switch and glanced around before grabbing my cell phone. Instead of finding Gerald’s name, my fingers scrolled down to another’s.Silas.I didn’t know why, but as fear shook my body, he was the person I thought of.

Chapter Nine:

I belong here

Silas

“Go home. I’ll stay with Peyton and T.J. tonight,” I told Gerald and Rosie as they hovered in Peyton’s living room.

“Peyton can stay with us. You didn’t have to trouble yourself,” Gerald said for the twentieth time.

Peyton sat on the couch, rubbing her eyes as she bottle-fed T.J. When our gazes clashed, she glanced away. She must have been really shaken up if she had no energy to argue about me staying.

“I can’t believe you actually came when Peyton called,” Theodore clipped out beside Gerald. “You know it’s me. She’s not in danger.”

I made sure to look everywhere but at Theodore. “I insist on staying.”

Theodore scoffed. “Unbelievable.”

“Very well.” Gerald sighed, turning toward Peyton. “I don’t feel comfortable with you staying alone right now. Someone is clearly messing with you. When I get my hands on whoever is doing this, they’ll be sorry.”

Peyton sulked. “Sorry I had to wake you again.”

Theodore slipped through his parents and stopped in front of Peyton. His shoulders sagged. “I didn’t mean to scare her. I wanted to see my son…”

My heart twisted like someone had wrung it out like a sponge.What am I doing?Most importantly, why couldn’t I stop? Of course he’d want to be with them. But so did I.

“You can’t stay in this house alone.” Rosie pursed her lips at Peyton before continuing, “I don’t know who would do this to you, but it ain’t right.”

“Call if you need us,” Gerald said.

I locked the door after they left, then walked into the living room and stood in front of Peyton. Beside me, Theodore was glowering. Peyton peeked through her lashes at me. She was so tired. Her eyes drooped as she tried to focus on my face. I ground my molars. Wasn’t motherhood exhausting as it was? This had to stop.

“Go sleep,” I muttered.

She hugged her son tighter. “I don’t understand. Why would someone do this to me?”

“I’m here now.” I scowled at Theodore as I spoke. “It won’t happen again.”

“Can you find out who’s doing this?” She blinked up at me with those sleep-filled eyes.

Goose bumps broke out over my skin. The power she wielded over me with that innocent stare. She’d never know.

“Please? I love Rosie and Gerald, but I might die if I lose my privacy over this scumbag.”

Theodore flinched.

“Go sleep,” I said more sternly. This was the first time Peyton had asked for something from me. I’d do everything in my power to make her comfortable.

“Maybe I shouldn’t sleep in my bedroom.” Peyton’s hold on the baby tightened.

“You’re fine. I’m here. A pencil can drop, and I’ll hear it.”

Her shoulders loosened at that. “Okay.” She stood and paused for a second. “Um, thank you.” She walked upstairs.

I waited until I heard her door click shut before I rounded on Theodore. “What the hell?”

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