Page 63 of The Hardest Part

Her mom sipped on her coffee, her gaze flicking between father and son. “What are you thinkin’, Vic?”

“Same thing you are.”

Huh? Someone wanna clue me in here?

The door flew open. Ready to barrel in, she’d never seen such a look on either of her cousin’s faces before, especially Tanner, her gentle bear. Hands clenched. Nostrils flaring. Emily could see the veins straining against his skin. It was rage, pure and simple.

Then his eyes locked on Arien, and letting out a huge breath, he muttered, “Thank fuck.”

“They’re okay?” Kellan dropped a bag at the door, and looking at Victor, made his way into the room.

“I believe so.”

“Kellan?” Upon hearing his voice, Arien raised her head.

“I’m right here, baby cakes.”

“Me, too, pretty girl.”

They went to her. Kellan took one side and Tanner the other. Arien palmed their cheeks as if the simple touch somehow soothed her. She relaxed against them; the tension disappearing from her body, calmer just being in their presence.

“Can you tell us what happened, sweetheart?” Leaning in, his elbows on his knees, Victor steepled his fingers under his chin. “Whatever you can remember?”

“I remember all of it.”

Tanner took her hand and kissed it. She looked up at him. “Dad brought Benjamin to me and said you’d be coming in soon, so I didn’t think much of anything at first.”

Emily glanced at Jake and laced her fingers with his. Uncle Matty was still on an airplane. He didn’t know about any of this yet. She could only imagine his reaction when he found out.

“But the noises I heard didn’t sound right.”

“What do you mean?” Kellan asked.

“The dogs always come in with you.” She smiled up at him, her fingers rubbing at the whiskers on his face. “I can hear you shush them to be quiet, but you end up making more noise than they do.”

Sharing a glance, her cousins chuckled.

“My gut told me it wasn’t either one of you.” Arien reached for their hands and wet her lips. “So, I got up to look.”

“And?” Tanner prompted.

“It wasn’t you,” she said, her voice trembling.

Victor crouched down in front of her. “Did you see who it was?”

“No, it was dark, and he wore a hood. I never saw his face.”

Tanner’s brows drew together, then his eyes widened and his jaw went slack. He looked over at his brother, but Kellan didn’t appear to notice.

“I was hiding in a doorway at the end of the hall. He came up the stairs and went right for Benjie’s room.” And with the dam now broken, Arien sobbed. “I didn’t think. I just picked up the baby, snuck out the back, and ran.”

“Sh, sh, sh.” Kellan wiped the tears from her face. “Seems to me you were thinkin’ just fine. You’re both okay, and that’s what matters.”

“That’s it.” Tanner slammed his fist into his thigh. “We’re gettin’ you a car.”

“I told you, I don’t need one.”

“What if I hadn’t left my keys on the dresser, or if none of the trucks were there at the house?” He grabbed her by the shoulders, making her see reason. “With Benjie and a baby comin’, youdoneed one.”

---