Page 85 of Rectify

Caden nodded, his face still hard, but the tension in his shoulders eased.

“Can you go do another check around the grounds?”

Caden nodded and nearly ran off. He was a seriously odd man.

Aedan opened the door into . . . chaos. The room was a mess. Toys were strewn everywhere, the TV was blasting, dirty dishes sat on the coffee table, and an exhausted-looking Declan sat slumped in an armchair.

“Declan? Where’s—oomph!” Aedan took a step back as Mateo launched himself at him.

“Aedy!” he yelled with a huge grin. His face was filthy, covered in dirt, paint, and food.

“What are you up to, buddy?” Aedan asked.

“Ice cream!”

“Did you?” He frowned at Declan, who shrugged.

“How was I supposed to know this would happen?”

“Did you actually feed him some proper food?”

Declan stood tiredly. “He had some pizza.”

“So that’s a no.”

Mateo wriggled in his arms, and Aedan turned, heading for the stairs.

“Go see Mama?” Mateo asked.

“Sure thing, buddy. After you’ve had a bath and some time to chill out.”

“Nooo bath!”

“You okay, Aedy?”Mateo asked an hour later. Aedan smiled at the little boy. Mateo was lying in his fire engine bed, the teddy bear Aedan had bought him tucked into his side. He’d calmed down after a long bath and a couple of stories.

“Sorry, buddy. I’m all right.” He stared down at the book he was supposed to be reading.

“Mama sick?” Mateo asked with concern. He’d already been in to say good night to Natalya, who had been sitting in an armchair rather than in bed where he’d left her.

“She’s just got a bit of a sore throat,” Aedan explained. “She’ll be all good by morning. Let’s finish this book, and then it’s time for you to go to sleep.”

By the time he’d finished the story, Mateo was fast asleep. Aedan kissed Mateo’s forehead. At the doorway, he turned back to check on the little boy. How had he gotten so lucky? Natalya and Mateo were his world.

He would do whatever was necessary to protect them.

“Natalya?” he called out as he entered the bedroom. “Where are you?”

“In the bathroom,” she replied hoarsely.

He stopped at the doorway, taking in the sight of her lying back in a bath filled with bubbles.

“You should have waited for me,” he scolded.

She held out her hand. Striding over, he sat on the side of the bath, taking her hand in his. She rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand. “Aedan, I’m all right.”

“I could have lost you.” He could hear the stark fear in his voice.

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily. This time I’m here to stay.”

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