Page 198 of My Ruthless Husband

I reach into my pocket and pull out a granola bar, dropping it onto the grass in front of him. I’d bought it earlier as a backup for tomorrow in case I got dizzy from working all day on an empty stomach.

He flinches, his eyes darting up to me, and I see the fear flash across his face before he shrinks back, like he’s bracing for a hit. My chest constricts at that, but I don’t let it show.

Summer nudges him, and he lifts his head slowly, his blue eyes wide and unsure.

I’m about to turn and leave when Summer speaks up. “Don’t be scared, Raleigh!” She reassures him. “Damian’s my friend, and now he’s yours too!” She looks up at me expectantly. “Right, Damian?”

Raleigh, the boy, finally looks up at me, his eyes wide with uncertainty. I don’t offer him a smile, but I try to soften myexpression, hoping he’ll see that there’s no reason to be afraid of me.

I grunt, the words coming out rougher than I intended, “Stay away from Caleb. He’s trouble.” I pause, my jaw tight as I remember how they treat other foster kids here. “His dad—” I stop, finding the right words. “Just stay out of the living room in the afternoons. If his dad’s home, don’t make any noise. He’s… not someone you want to be around.”

I hear Summer’s voice, light and cheerful, trying to make the moment less heavy. “Damian’s always looking out for us. Right, Damian?”

I remain silent but glance at Raleigh again, my eyes hardening. I can’t stand to see that look in his eyes—the one where he’s waiting for the worst.

“Take care of yourself, all right?” I say, my voice low, almost like a warning. “And don’t let Caleb get to you.”

Summer grins up at me, her face lighting up like I’ve just given her the world. “Thanks, Damian.” I feel something inside me twist. Not for the first time, I wish I could give her more. Protect her from them. But I can’t.

Two days later, I head out toward the shed, just planning to rummage around for scraps—anything I can use to keep my bike’s handles from falling apart. But before I even reach the door, I hear it. Caleb’s voice, laced with that familiar sneer, slithering out through the cracks. There’s a dark, smug satisfaction in his tone that makes my heart sink.

I push the door open just a crack, just enough to see Summer and Raleigh pressed up against the wall, eyes wide as Caleb and his two friends tower over them.

Raleigh’s lip is bleeding, a thin red line trailing down his chin, and his eyes are filled with unshed tears. Summer’s frozen, her mismatched eyes wide, her small hands clutching the hem of her shirt in a death grip.

“Gonna cry, freak?” Caleb’s voice is full of a sick, gleeful taunt, his hand pushing Raleigh’s shoulder just enough to make him stumble.

Summer whispers something too quiet for me to hear, and Caleb’s face twists in irritation. He leans down, grabbing her chin, fingers digging in roughly, making her wince as he lifts her face to his. “What was that? Speak up, weirdo.”

Raleigh tries to pull her away, but Caleb’s friend shoves him back, and nudging him in the ribs hard enough to make him gasp, his small body crumpling inward.

“Not so tough, huh?” Caleb jeers.

My jaw clenches, fingers curling tight around the rough wood of the shed door. I’ve learned to turn the other way when Caleb pulls his stunts. I’ve learned not to react, not to fight back when he takes the money I’ve earned or pushes me around. But this…this is different.

Before I even realize, I’ve moved, throwing open the door, I stride toward them. Caleb’s head jerks up, surprise flickering across his face before it melts into irritation.

“Oh, look,” he sneers, letting go of Summer’s face. “The tough guy’s here.”

I don’t stop walking, closing the distance between us until I’m standing right in front of him.

Summer’s gaze flicks up, her eyes wide and hopeful in a way that cuts straight through me.

“Leave them alone.”

Caleb’s smirk fades, and for a second, he looks uncertain. Then he recovers, his face hardening as he steps up, jabbing a finger into my chest. “Or what? You gonna stop me, loser?”

I don’t respond. I simply grab his wrist, twisting it hard enough that he yelps, his face breaks into a look of panic. His friends gape, frozen, not used to seeing anyone stand up to Caleb.

“Get off me!” Caleb snarls, trying to pull his arm free, but I hold firm, a fierce calm settling over me. I can feel his bones shifting under my grip.

I don’t care that this is going to land me in trouble. I don’t care if this makes my life a hundred times harder. I can’t stand here and let him get away with tormenting two kids who don’t have a chance against him. He wants to throw his weight around? Fine. Let’s see how he likes it when someone turns the tables.

Caleb’s mouth opens and closes, his gaze darting to his friends, as if asking for their help. The other two boys exchange uneasy glances, starting to back away.

“You don’t get to hurt them.” I twist his wrist some more. “Am I clear?”

He whimpers, then nods faintly.

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