Page 66 of Rectify

He’d done all the research he could on raising a child. It had made for scary bedtime reading. Give him a horror novel any day. Surely it would give him fewer nightmares.

“You didn’t need to get all that stuff for his bedroom, though,” she scolded. But her lips twitched with a smile.

“Too much? I went overboard, didn’t I?” Crap. The woman at the store had sure seen him coming.

She patted his arm. “It’s okay. It’s just that I don’t want him becoming spoiled, especially when I can’t buy him anything like that.”

Damn it. He hadn’t thought about how his gifts might make her feel.

“I just wanted him to feel at home, and the woman at the toy store assured me everything I got was age appropriate,” he told her.

“It is. We’ll be lucky if he ever comes out of his room.”

“Oh, he will. I promised to kick a ball around in the yard with him.”

Natalya stepped over to glance nervously out the window. “You’re sure it’s safe?”

He wished he could do more to put her at ease, but he knew it was going to take time and plenty of reassurance.

“Declan has made it as safe as he possibly can. There’s a large fence surrounding the entire property. There’s an alarm system for the house and cameras throughout the yard.”

“Declan looks very capable.”

He snorted. “Don’t let his looks deceive you. This is the most work he’s done since I hired him. About a year ago, I had a crazy fan stalking me, so I hired Declan to take care of security for the house, and he travels with me out of town. But most of the time, he just eats my food, drinks my beer, and acts like this is his place.”

Before they had moved in, Aedan had made it clear to Declan that his main priority was now Mateo’s and Natalya’s safety.

“I want you to feel safe here, Natalya.”

“I know.” She spun to face him. “I’m being foolish.”

“No, you’re not. It’s completely understandable that you’re afraid.”

“But I feel like I should be getting better by now,” she said with frustration. “I feel fine when we’re inside, but whenever we go out, I feel like someone is watching me.”

He drew her into his arms. “That will pass. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Baby steps.”

She nodded.

“Now, it’s not just Mateo who gets some toys.” He strode over to the bedside table, opened a drawer, and pulled out a small monitor. “I’ve set up a nanny cam in Mateo’s room. When he has a nap or goes to bed at night, you can turn this on and see him.”

“Oh. That’s perfect. Thank you.” She laughed.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

He walked toward her, running a finger down her cheek. “Oh no, now you have to tell me. What is it?”

“Uh-uh.” She shook her head, taking a step back.

“I have ways to make you talk,” he said in his best Count Dracula voice.

Her eyes widened with alarm. “No, Aedan!”

She fought as he picked her up and threw her on the bed, tickling her mercilessly. He knew where all her weakest points were, and soon she was laughing hysterically, her legs curled up against her body as she tried to protect herself.

“Mercy! Mercy!” she cried.

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