Page 71 of Bound by Wreckage
“That’s Rhys. He’s a bit intimidating to newcomers, but he’s good.”
“He doesn’t likeme,” I whisper, hating this fear pounding out of me. “He hates me.”
Nox rubs his hands up and down my arms reassuringly, but it doesn’t help much as my body starts to tremble. Fuck.
“Dig in deep, Carsyn, and breathe. He’s been through shit lately so he’s extra asshole right now, but it’s not about you.”
Nox turns around to Rhys and yells, “Can you stop fuckin’ scarin’ theshit out of her?”
Slowly, I creep around Nox’s body to see the large man release his arms as a girl with blonde hair runs up to him. She says something to him and he picks her up with ease, a smile coming across his hard face as he hugs her close and kisses her cheek. She has to be around ten or so, but that doesn’t stop him one bit.
Nox comes back to me. “That’s his little girl,Mazie. Come on.”
He obviously loves the girl, but that means nothing to me. Doing what Nox says, I dig in deep and pull out some of that strength I’d found the day before, and Nox leads me over to him.
“Rhys, this is Carsyn.”
His sharp eyes narrow on me then calm in a flash, catching me totally off guard. He holds out his hand, “Hey. I’m Rhys.”
Looking to Nox, thensteeling myself, I slip my hand into his rough calloused one. He doesn’t hold it too tight, but it’s firm and he shakes it softly. Hell, I didn’t think anything was really soft about him. He releases me.
“I’m Mazie!” the girl in his arms says, excited and full of energy.
“Hi, Mazie. I’m Carsyn,” I say, giving her a little wave. Being around kids hasn’t happened in a long ass time.
She smiles bright. “You’re pretty.”
A blush comes to my cheeks. “Not as beautiful as you.”
She laughs. “My daddy says that all the time.”
Just then a boy a little older than Mazie saunters over. Yes. Saunters, with a swag that in a few years is going to knock some girls on their butts.
“Baby,” he says, glaring at Mazie.
She turns to her father as he says,“Boy.”
“Daddy, put me down.” Rhys does slowly but watches his daughter and this little boy intently. The boy doesn’t seem fazed by him, surprisingly. The little boy has light brown hair that’s a bit longer but not touching his shoulders.
Mazie marches up to him, and they’re eye to eye. Her hands go to her hips. “Booker! Shut up!”
“No. You’re a baby and you know it.”
Mazie takes a step forward, crowding him, but Booker doesn’t back down.
“You’re a jerk,” she spits.
“That’s the best you’ve got?” He smirks at Mazie.
She doesn’t take it, lifting both hands and pushes him hard with them. So hard he stumbles back a bit, then starts to charge forward. I’m impressed with Mazie because she doesn’t flinch or run.
“That’s enough,” Rhys says,grabbing Booker by the back of the shirt. “You wanna do this shit, I’ll pound your ass.” Rhys picks the kid up off the ground, his feet in air. “Stay the fuck away from my girl.”
Rhys lets his hand go, but not before tossing him a bit. Booker dusts off his pants, glares at Mazie, then turns to leave.
“A match made in paradise,” I murmur to Nox, who laughs.
“Little shit needsto stay away from my girl,” Rhys rumbles as Mazie takes off in the opposite direction. “I’ll end up pounding his ass soon it seems.”
