Page 59 of Her Faithful Protector

A small smile appears on her face. With newfound confidence, she continues, “After enduring his anger and abuse, I finally ended things with him. But my parents begged me to take him back, especially when my mom got sick. They’ve done so much for me. Even before the leukemia, I was frequently ill as a kid. So, I got back together with Willem, and I became pregnant.”

There is pain in her voice, but I can also see a glimmer of joy on her face, perhaps reminiscing the moment she discovered she was expecting.

I nudge her closer, feeling her tiny waist in my hands. “You wouldn’t trade it for anything, would you? Your Quinton?”

“No. Not in this life or the next. He’s been my best friend, even when he was still in my belly.” Her face beams with happiness. The light above catches her rosy cheeks, adding a soft glow to her features.

For so long, I never felt like I had a family. But when Sam found me and I reconnected with my dad, I finally understood the true value of family. I look at Ava and say, “No family is perfect, but you do whatever it takes to protect your loved ones. And Ava, you’re here with me. That shows how resilient and determined you are.”

She leans back, meeting my lips with hers. I feel the warmth and softness of her kiss. I think she’s made peace with her past, something I haven’t been able to achieve yet.

I continue. “We have less than a week to uncover the connection between Willem and Quinton’s abduction, or at least with the bearded man. Cora-Lee is back on duty after her surgery. With her help, we’ll get there faster.”

“Okay.”

“And if the week is up and we haven’t caught that bastard, I think the only way to keep you and Quinton safe is to bring you both to Hawaii.”

Ava flashes a smile, a visible release of tension. “Good plan.”

Time is slipping away, and the looming end of my stay in Helena is putting everything in fast-forward. One thing is certain. No matter where I am—in Montana, Hawaii, or anywhere else in the world—I’ll have to confront my nightmares if I want to make things work with Ava. She’s faced her fair share of adversity, and I can’t be the one to add to it. Once our business with Willem is done, I’ll do whatever it takes to find Scalpel.

20

AVA

The trip to the local supermarket this afternoon put our endurance to the test. Quinton, overwhelmed by the unusually hot day and perhaps tired from not sleeping well, had a full-blown meltdown that caught everyone’s attention. It was every parent’s worst nightmare, but for me, it marked the completion of our family outing.

Back at home, after a few hours of swapping Quinton between us, Jack finally succeeds in calming him down. Laughter fills the room as the two boys play a game of ‘who’s behind the shades,’ with Quinton donning thePaw Patrolsunglasses and Jack his Ray-Bans. The cheerful soundtrack of the show blares in the background, providing a welcome change from the constant demands of our baby.

I observe the interaction between the imposing Marine and the little one. Jack’s hair has grown thick, a delightful change that allows me to have fun with more of him. Just like what Quinton is doing. Meanwhile, Jack’s arms swathe the boy from shoulders to toes like a blanket—an experience I can only dream of unless I magically shrink myself.

On top of his luscious hair, Jack has allowed his beard togrow, though he always has time to keep it tidy. It seems like he’s enjoying the more relaxed grooming requirements while he’s still off duty.

The mere sight of him stirs my core. I imagine the tingle of his beard against my body and the satisfying grip of his hair as I approach orgasm.

Carefully, Jack rises from his seat.

Oh my goodness! He has managed to lull Quinton to sleep. Jack discreetly signals for me to switch off the television as he passes by the bedroom door. I stay as quiet as possible. The last thing I want to do is undermine Jack’s hard work after his marathon effort.

A few moments later, Jack finds me in the kitchen. He walks up behind me, slipping his hand around my waist, leaning on me as if he can’t stand up anymore.

“I never thought a twenty-pound person could defeat me,” he quips.

“You’ve come out victorious.” I slide my fingers through the strands of his hair, feeling its smoothness against my skin. It hasn’t grown too long, but damn! How can a man’s hair be so sexually stimulating?

I rub the outside of my shorts pocket, feeling the object that’s been there since we got home. But I ignore it. “Tea?” I offer, and he nods, placing his hand on my belly.

It’s almost dark outside. With the kitchen lamps acting as a backlight, I gaze at our reflection in the window. Despite our fatigue-laden faces, I admire the two of us. No need for cues. We gravitate toward each other, lean into each other. It all happens naturally. It’s inherently in us as if we’d been born with the instinct.

Jack seems to notice, flashing a funny face while tickling the side of my neck. I swear, we don’t just look good—we look freaking adorable!

Turning to face him, I suggest, “Why don’t you wait on the porch? I’ll bring the tea.”

He releases his hold on me and heads outside.

The spicy aroma wafts under my nose as I steep a few bags in the pot. The scent reminds me of how far I’ve come from the day I made the life-changing decision to leave Willem’s Beverly Hills mansion behind. The frantic drive, Quinton’s abduction and rescue—they feel like a distant past.

I join Jack, serving his cup, then settling into an oversized armchair on the back porch. The light is fading, the clouds obscuring the sunset. Nevertheless, this autumn day in Montana is surprisingly warm despite the occasional southerly breeze.

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