Page 39 of Her Redeemed Protector

“Please, Savannah. I still love you.” His confession comes with a desperate grasp, his hands locking onto me as if to claim a love that no longer exists.

My nerves are as taut as a drawn bow, ready to snap into action. I’m moments away from defending myself, my foot poised for a well-aimed kick, when a voice cuts through the thickening night, firm and commanding.

“The lady said leave,” Huxley announces. His intervention is succinct, his presence alone speaking volumes.

A rush of relief floods through me mingled with a twinge of annoyance. Here he is again, stepping into the role of my protector, especially in front of Fabian, the last person I want to witness this.

Fabian releases a scoff. “Why all the pretense? Just say you’re not interested because you’ve got a new man!”

I hold my silence, allowing the moment to unfold without my words.

Huxley draws closer, his proximity a silent assertion of support. Sensing the shift in power, Fabian withdraws.

“Kayla, we’re leaving,” Fabian calls out sternly.

“But Dad, I’m playing!” Kayla’s protest is heartfelt, piercing me, but I don’t let my emotions show.

“Now, Kayla!”

Reluctantly, she bids me goodbye with a hug that feels like a promise of better times. “Can I come back to play again?”

I offer her a smile that I hope looks more reassuring than Ifeel. “We’ll figure out a time,” I reply, my commitment intentionally vague.

Her eyes dance with gleeful accusation. “You still owe me those M&M pancakes, Savannah!” she declares, pulling a face that sets off a laugh deep within me.

“I haven’t forgotten. They’re yours next time,” I promise.

Kayla gives me a firm nod, her childlike trust intact, then turns to Huxley with a gaze filled with silent inquiry. Registering his subtle, encouraging smile, she offers a shy wave—a quiet salute of recognition—before turning to follow her father without another word.

With the drama momentarily paused, I turn to Huxley. “You’re back.”

He shrugs, a quiet admission in his stance. “I couldn’t just stand by. You don’t need that kind of hassle.”

He looks drained, likely from the drive from up north, a journey of no small distance. “Come on in,” I invite, stepping aside to welcome him back into our home. “Hungry? We’ve got plenty of roast chicken left. Dinner was interrupted, but there’s more than enough to go around.”

His smile is a tired curve of gratitude as I lead him to the dining room, where the remnants of the evening meal await.

“Al,” Huxley nods in my father’s direction.

“Huxley!” Dad’s voice booms with welcome, his face creasing into a wide grin. My old man isn’t just fond of Hux. He adores him. He doesn’t greet other men like that, ever! “You know, the suit’s growing on me,” he chuckles, giving Huxley’s shoulder a friendly pat. “Come, join us.”

Huxley slips out of his jacket and slides into a chair, his fatigue momentarily forgotten.

Seeing our guest wondering about the half-eaten meals, Dad explains, “Couldn’t resist Kayla’s call. Dropped everything when we heard her.”

“I’d do exactly the same,” Hux murmurs, easing his tie free, and in that simple gesture, he embodies a partner returning home after a long day.

Dad heaps a generous portion onto Huxley’s plate. “Say when,” he says, poised to douse the meal with gravy.

“I might forget to say that until you’ve emptied that jug,” Huxley replies, the corner of his mouth lifting.

“Then all the way it is,” Dad declares, his voice full of cheer as he obliges with a healthy pour.

The meal unfolds as Hux fills us in on his mission. He and his new Red Mark partner, Chase Samson, found a missing boy safe and sound. It turns out he was lost in the vast wilderness after thinking he’d have a quick hike. With no one to report him missing for days, the case dragged on. But it was a happy ending, nonetheless.

“So Chase is your new partner? What happened to your previous one?” I probe.

“Jack, Jack Kelleher. He’s taken leave. He and his wife just had a baby.”

---