Page 130 of His Boys to Protect

“Yeah. Fine.” Skylar paused. “Where are you?”

“Just a couple hours out. I'm pulled over, I promise. Listen, my brother just called me. He said he brought by some cookies and left them outside the door. Would you mind grabbing them?”

Skylar hesitated. It sounded like this brother was going to be watching for him.

“Sky? It's okay. You're safe, kitten. Vaughn would never hurt you, I promise.”

Skylar let out a shuddering breath.

“Easy, sweetheart. I'll stay on the phone with you, okay?”

“Okay.” Skylar strode up to the door, then hesitated. He slipped over to the window instead and peeked outside. There was no sign of anyone. Taking a deep breath, Skylar unlocked and opened the door, then did the same with the security door. He spotted a container on the ground. Skylar snatched it up, ducked back inside, and quickly locked both doors before letting out the breath he was holding.

“Sky?”

“I'm okay.”

“That's my good boy. Try to relax, okay? I'll be home soon.”

Skylar nodded to himself. “Okay. Drive safe.”

“Will do.”

The call ended, and Skylar went back to pacing.

It was another two hours before he heard the rumble of an engine right outside the door.

Skylar stilled, listening. It could have been one of Ward's neighbors, but he'd been hearing Ward's truck come and go almost every day for the past two weeks. He might not have Charlie's sensitivity to the subtleties of such things, but he was fairly certain about this.

The engine cut off, then a door opened and shut again. Skylar waited. Heavy footsteps moved away from the apartment. Skylarfrowned. Maybe it wasn't Ward. He was just about to run to the kitchen window and peek out when the footsteps returned.

The security door rattled and opened. A key slid into the lock on the main door. Skylar braced himself, watching the knob turn.

He almost collapsed with relief when Ward walked inside.

“Hey, kitten.” Ward paused there, studying his eyes. His glance flicked down to Skylar's fist, still clutching his phone. Skylar hadn't been able to let it go. Ward opened his arms. “Come here.”

Skylar dove into his embrace, inwardly cursing himself. He needed to be stronger than this. Otherwise, he'd never be able to walk away when the time came, let alone survive somewhere new.

But all he wanted in that moment was the safety of Ward's arms. It would have been even better if Charlie were still there with them, but this was enough for now. He wasn't alone.

“It's okay, Sky,” Ward murmured, rubbing his back. “You're safe.” He paused. “I'm sorry if Vaughn startled you.”

Skylar made himself shrug, hoping it came off nonchalant. “It's fine.”

Ward seemed hesitant before he nodded towards the door and asked, “Would you like to meet him?”

Skylar blinked. “He'sstillhere?”

“Yeah. He's been waiting out in his truck to make sure I got home.”

“Why?”

Ward hesitated again. “Because he knows that I–” The man broke off and shook his head. “Because that's what family does. We take care of each other.”

Skylar held his breath as a wave of emotion threatened to drown him.

Ward bent down, putting them at eye level as he cupped Skylar's jaw with both hands. “He's safe, baby. I'd trust him with my life.” Ward paused again before he straightened. “I'll just go tell him that he can go. Then how about we take a shower and unwind with a movie and those cookies, yeah? Sound good?” Ward got a wry smile on his face. “We won't tell Charlie about the cookies.”

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