Page 103 of Laila Manning
He took a shuttering breath and looked at the window, watching the trees behind the barracks blow in the breeze as he mulled it over. Finally, he looked back over at me, with those eyes that seemed somuch wiser than his years, and spoke. “That’s what happened to you, isn’t it?” He asked and went on, “She loved you, and you messed it up, and you fought it, and you made her cry. But she loved you anyway.”
“Yes.” I nodded, “And I work hard every fucking day to prove to her I’m worthy of her gift, because that’s what it is. A priceless gift that I’ll never find anywhere else, not like this. And neither will you.”
He dropped his gaze and looked at his lap. Tears silently hit the covers lying over his legs. “I don’t want to leave. But I don’t know how to stay. I don’t remember how to be a kid.”
“I’m not asking you to know how just yet.” I said, setting my coffee down and walking over to the bed to sit on the edge next to him. I didn’t want to crowd him out, or scare him, he had already been through so much, but I wanted him to know I was near at the same time. “I’m just asking you to let yourself learn. To accept help from the most selfless and loving human being either of us street kids are ever going to meet.”
“And you?” He looked over at me, showing me his fear and his vulnerability. I couldn’t remember another time he had ever acted his actual age around me, so openly before. “Are you a package deal, because I don’t want to mess up what you two have going.”
“You won’t.” I shook my head, “Because I’d move heaven and hell for that woman. I’m not going anywhere.”
He mulled that over, and I let him, sitting silently beside him as he thought. Eventually he nodded his head again, staring down at the blankets in his lap. “I think I’d like to have a home again.” Kade’s voice was so small and exposed as he spoke to his lap. “I think I’m ready to just be a kid.”
“Then welcome home.” I put my hand on his back, gently lending my strength to him, and he threw himself at me, wrapping his armsaround my waist as he started crying, letting it all go. “You’re home, Kade. You’re safe here.”
I heard something and looked up to find Laila standing at the door, hand covering her mouth, with tears on her cheeks as she watched us.
Last year I was a bachelor, who only ever cared about my work and my crew. I was alone and content with it, as everyone around me found their own versions of happiness in partners and families.
And then I found Laila, my brunette angel with scars as deep as mine and enough love to cover them all. And now Kade, a little boy with demons I’d chase away as long as I was on this earth, to keep him and Laila safe and happy.
Nothing else mattered outside of that.
Chapter 28 – Laila
The sun was scorching, but in the shade, with the cool breeze that so rarely found its way into the middle of the day, felt nice. Carly’s porch had quickly become a favorite place for Kade, just as it had for me when I first moved onto the estate.
It was a Thursday, or maybe Wednesday, I lost count.
All I knew was that Kade had been living with us for almost two weeks, and it had been the most fulfilling two weeks of my entire life.
He was quiet and withdrawn a lot, but he was—calm. He wasn’t rushing off to the next job, or worried about who was coming after him out of a dark alley. He wasn’t thinking about money, food, or sleep.
Kade was just being a kid. And I found healing in helping him heal.
Zeke found healing in making Charles and Clarissa Lupold pay for what they did with pain. He spent every day at The Shop, with Jed and Ryker, as if other business didn’t matter. The three men were focusedon doing something to make up for all the harm those two individuals caused countless others.
I didn’t want to know what was happening behind the soundproof walls. And neither did Kade, though Zeke gave him that choice.
Kade was intent on just being a kid again, like the mission of experiencing all the things he never got to do as a carefree child could occupy his mind enough to silence all the darkness there.
Kade lay on the floor of the porch, on Carly’s fancy rug, rattling a toy for Gavin, trying to convince him to take a step toward him.
God, that kid loved Gavin. We all loved Gavin. A world full of people with darkness and scars on their skin, melted for the innocent, and silly little baby.
“Come on, I know you want to do it.” Kade said, sitting up on his butt and holding the toy closer to Gavin. “You know you want your first steps to be to me.”
Ellie snorted but kept her opinion on that matter to herself from her spot on the porch swing, sipping her tea and watching the boys. Carly was in her favorite rocking chair, smiling at them and peeking over at me.
“What?” I asked.
“Happy looks good on you.” She replied wistfully.
“Happy?” I scoffed gently, “I feel like I’m just trying not to shit my pants twenty-four seven.”
Carly chuckled, and Kade popped his head up, looking at me over his shoulder. “Two bucks in the swear jar.”
I rolled my eyes, and Elora snorted, “I’m sorry, what?”
