Page 73 of Falling in Love with A Tiny Bat

While I’m pacing back into the house to get more refreshments for the snack table, Castor appears out ofnowheredressed like a ninja and brandishing his white cane like a sword. “Ha ha! Down with the king!”

Without thinking, I scream and throw my fist toward his face.

Lightning fast, he jerks out of my reach.

I swear at him and force air into my lungs. Once I have enough breath, I yell, “Why?”

One hand splays, defensive. “Is this…a bad time?”

Heaving a breath, I twist on my heel and march inside, slamming the door in his face when he follows me.

It opens again a moment later, and Castor drones, “Xios, your soulmate is being mean to me.”

In the kitchen, wearing my baby wrap and looking all kinds of—no. Looking all kinds ofno—Alexios mixes up a protein shake in my Magic Bullet. Ash wriggles and coos every time the machine pulses, and I try to find some peace in the little noises. It is hard, however, because Alexios is sweetly mimicking them back at him, and I—

I justcan’twith this.

Once the shake’s put together, Alexios pops it off the machine, turns, and unwinds the blade attachment. “What happened?”

“She tried to punch me.” Castor folds his arms. He actually, literally, folds his arms—like a child.

Alexios sips his shake. “Yes, well.” He sips again. “She does that.”

Because I can, I sock him in the shoulder and grab two bowls of chips that need to go outside.

Smiling, Alexios rubs Ash’s back. “Don’t grow up to be like Mommy, Ash. Violence is only fun with consent.”

I’d punch him again, but now my hands are full. What an oversight.

“I’d beg to differ.” Castor sniffs.

Alexiossips. “Then beg.”

I stop short, nearly dropping my chips. Did a cosmic event just take place behind me? I fear for my life if I turn around, yet I can’t help it.

The air between the two men crackles with all the severity of a final anime battle. Wicked glints and frenzied smirks. Somewhere, boss music plays.

But, for some odd reason, my heart…settles.

I am surrounded by insanely powerful goobers. I know at least one of them cares about me at a level I can’t begin to comprehend.

I’m safe.

It does me no good worrying about the things outside my control—like Dani.

Everything will be fine.

And if it’s not?

Well, if it’s not, I will know my part to play in fixing it, eventually.

All good things, in God’s good time.

Which, unfortunately, is absolutely not the schedule I would prefer.

Releasing a breath, I push outside with my snack bowls and let the sun wash my fears away.

Chapter 19

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