Page 15 of The Doctor

I inhaled deeply, grateful my mother was the woman she was but still hurting that she was mad at me. “And, don’t I know it.”

9

BEX

By the time I arrived back at the apartment, there was a firm plan in place. The private security company we outsourced to had already placed a second guard at the entrance. They were a company that went through our training program and were specialized body guards. Of course, we didn’t explain to them the exact situation. Instead, Nick had explained that a situation had arisen with Julie and another guard was needed at the building as a precautionary measure.

The camera app was added to my phone and another camera would be placed outside Logan’s apartment door and at the entrance to the elevator. Not that anyone would be told about that. I would, of course, tell Logan about the camera and would explain to Dom where it was as well. He needed to know that if anything happened, he should try and put himself in front of one of the cameras.

The only things I couldn’t fix were the emotions rolling through me. I knew things would be hard. I had expected my brothers to be upset. I didn’t expect Ollie to have such a visceral reaction but I understood it. I’d lied to him. I knew he would be there for me when I needed him, though. He needed time but he would help keep Dom and his siblings safe. At least Nick couldset aside his anger at me and put some things into place. He was the one who called the security company while I got hold of the San Francisco Police Department and the US Marshals. They would get hold of the State’s Attorney as well as Social Services. Since Dom was a minor and came straight to Logan and me, it was not technically kidnapping. Or, at least, that was the argument. I wasn’t sure if that would work, but I knew they wanted Dom’s testimony so everyone involved would need to make it as painless as possible for my kid. No… not my kid. I would not disrespect Dorian and Liza that way.

Did I imagine what it would be like having him and his siblings as part of my life? Mine and Logan’s? Of course I did. Especially considering my own situation. But I didn’t want to dwell on that. That was a heartbreak I could never go through again.

By the time I made it back to Logan’s apartment, it was already after lunch. I was in the elevator when I felt that first heat hit my eyes. I swallowed back the tears and ignored the burn at the back of my throat. As I stepped out of the elevator, I straightened my shoulders, then made my way to Logan’s apartment.

I stood in front of his door wondering if I should knock. It wasn’t my place. And we weren’t together. Yeah, we were headed for sex the night before, but we were not a couple.

What I couldn’t deny though, was how much I loved being in Logan’s arms. I wanted him to hold me and make everything okay. However, that would need to wait until later. When we were alone. An apartment full of kids, and a killer after Dominic was not conducive to anything more than light conversation, and we didn’t need more drama.

Before I had a chance to knock, the elevator dinged and Logan came walking up the hallway, arms loaded with… things. If he was out there with me, who the hell was with the kids?Obviously, the panic I was feeling showed on my face. I looked to the door, then back at him.

“Jeez, woman, calm down.” He smiled as he caught up with me. “I wouldn’t leave them alone. I figured between Jake and Dom, the little ones would be fine while I got all these things from Julie upstairs.”

I looked at the haul he carried in arms, making those biceps flex. His excitement as he explained things to me made my skin tingle. “I have a wall cushion so Landon doesn’t roll into the wall. And a rail so he won’t fall off the bed.”

“I can’t believe those things even exist.” And I probably wouldn’t have if it weren’t for our current situation. I looked at the stuff he had. “What’s that?”

“A camper crib, for Victoria.” I opened the door and he nodded for me to walk in first. “Julie said if she hasn’t been sleeping on her own, we should let her sleep with an item of Dom’s clothing. At least for a little while.”

That made sense. As I walked in, I saw Jake was carrying Victoria while Dom was reading to Landon. That precious little boy hadn’t said more than a handful of words since he had arrived. And those words were only to Dom and only about what was on TV. But he was communicating with gestures to Dominic when he needed something. According to the little research I had managed to Google, it was a perfectly normal reaction to emotional trauma. He may not understand his mother and father were dead, but being separated from them was traumatic for the little boy. Also, according to Dr. Google, Dom’s stoicism was not healthy. He was likely bottling things up so he could hold it together for his siblings.

There was also the problem that the children hadn’t had any closure. From the time the police arrived at their home, they had wanted a piece of Dom. I also managed to find out that Dom’s grandmother lived alone. From everything I could gather frommy limited research and the little Dom had told us, she should not have been living on her own, and there was no way she would be able to look after three children. And certainly, would not be able to look after a baby.

I shook off my thoughts as my brother made his way over to me and gave me a quick peck on the cheek. “Love you, sis.”

“Love you too, kid.” Jake hated when I called him that. He was just over a year younger than me and Mason. I relished that fact growing up. Mason was only a few minutes older than me, but he never failed to remind me.

“Whatever.” He paused as he looked to the bedroom where Logan and Dom had disappeared. “You’re fooling yourself if you think you and Logan can sleep in the same bed and nothing will happen.”

“Why is everyone fixated on that?” I let out a frustrated breath. “We used to do that all the time when we were younger.”

“You mean before his balls dropped and he noticed that you were a girl?”

I smirked at my brother. “Logan’s always known I was a girl.”

“Gross.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “That’s not how you repay your favorite brother.”

I let out an exhale as I smiled at my brother. “Thanks J. I’m sorry you got dragged into this but I’m grateful to you.”

“Let's get one thing straight.” He cupped my face in his hands. “My nosiness dragged me into this. And I would do anything for you. You know that.”

I did. As much as our family could argue, when the shit hit the fan, we stood together.

Having said all he needed to say, my brother gave me a hug and left.

Once I was alone with Victoria, I felt that pang again. I picked her up off the floor where they’d made a blanket bed for her and went in search of the boys. Logan was assembling the campercrib while Dom attached the rail to the bed. He’d already placed the wall covering and arranged the pillows. Landon sat on the bed watching them.

Once it was all done, and we finished dinner, one by one the kids got clean. Dom used the shower in the master bedroom, while I used the tub in the main bathroom to bathe Victoria, and then Landon. In no time at all, the younger kids were asleep and Dom made himself comfortable on the couch.

---