Page 52 of Artemis

“It is time for bed, young man,” Artemis said after Alexander almost fell asleep in his bowl of spaghetti. “You’ve had a busy day.”

“But I’m not—” Alexander yawned widely, “—tired!”

Finley chuckled. “Maybe you’re not, but your mother used a lot of power today, and I’m beat. So it’s probably best that you go to bed so we can rest.”

Artemis smiled ruefully. “That’s true.”

Alexander finally agreed and Artemis followed him upstairs to his room. “Stay? Please?” she whispered to Finley before she left the living room.

He nodded.

“Mom?” Alexander asked, climbing into bed.

“Yes, sweetheart?” Artemis curled up around his small body, holding him close.

“Will I get taken away again?”

Artemis’s heart broke. “No. No, baby, you won’t. Those men are going to jail for a very long time. You’re safe.” She stroked his silky curls with one hand.

“Thank you for finding me.”

“I would have searched to the ends of the Earth for you,” Artemis promised him, kissing his forehead. “I love you.”

“Can we have my birthday tomorrow instead?” Alexander asked.

“Of course.”

“With pancakes again?”

Artemis chuckled. “Yes, with pancakes.”

“Maybe Lee would like pancakes too? Can you ask him for me?”

“You want him to eat breakfast with us tomorrow morning?” Artemis asked.

Alexander yawned and cuddled his bear tighter. “Every morning.”

“Goodnight, sweetheart. I’ll ask him.” She kissed his cheek gently. He was already asleep.

Artemis got out of his bed, careful not to wake him, and crossed the hall into her room to retrieve the monitor before heading back downstairs. Even though Finley had said he would stay, she was still relieved to hear the clink of dishes in the kitchen.

“I promise my life isn’t usually this dramatic,” she said from the doorway and then stopped short at the sight before her eyes. “Finley!” she gasped.

CHAPTER14

Finley wonderedwhat was going through Artemis’s mind when she pleaded with him to stay, those shining silver eyes of hers fixating on him before she followed Alexander upstairs to his room.

Sure, she wanted him to stay.

Was she feeling nervous about being alone?

Did she need a friend to talk to?

Was she going to continue where they left off at his house that morning?

Goosebumps prickled over his skin at that thought. She’d been so hot, sitting half-naked on top of him.

He gave himself a shake.

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