Page 99 of Hawk
Stella was the calming force in my life and, hopefully, she could be the same for the kids. They deserved to have a mother figure who doted on them, and something told me that Stella would be a ferocious defender for them.
I just prayed she was on board for whatever craziness Araneta would throw at us.
Chapter 32
Stella
When we got back tothe clubhouse, I helped Matthew and Anna get their bags from the backseat while Colton stepped to the side and spoke with Gunner. Looking down at the kids, it dawned on me I had no idea where to take their bags.
“Can you show me which cabin is yours?” I asked them, and Anna nodded while Matthew looked on.
I began to follow Anna and, a moment later, I felt a small hand tucked into mine. Matthew was holding my hand, and I smiled down at him as Anna skipped in front of us. When we got to the path, Zeus came bounding from Hailey and Jacob’s cabin and immediately walked beside Matthew. He petted his red head as we walked in the opposite direction of the cabin I stayed in last night.
I wasn’t sure where I was staying tonight, but I knew I was going to let Zeus stay with the kids. He would keep Matthew calm and, if necessary protect them from anyone who wanted to harm them. I’d taught him multiple commands and one of them was to be on guard. That’s what I would leave with him when it was time to go to bed tonight, even if Hawk was asleep in the next room.
Zeus would kill if instructed, and I wanted him to protect the kids like he had for me over the last few years.
Walking up the stairs to the larger cabin, Anna opened the door and happily skipped inside. Matthew and I climbed the stairs, and when we got into the living room, he reluctantly released his hand from mine. Zeus pushed closer to him, and I smiled down at them both.
“Why don’t you take your bags to your rooms and then we can take Zeus outside to play.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Anna responded and took her small duffle bag from my hand before disappearing into one of the bedrooms.
Matthew looked up at me, and I kneeled in front of him, wanting to talk to him on his level. “Are you doing okay?” He shrugged, and I didn’t want to pry but I had to ask, “Is there anything I can do?”
“Will . . . will you stay here with us tonight?”
“Of course, I will. Are you sure there’s nothing else bothering you?” I inquired, and he shook his head.
“I . . . I just don’t want her to come back,” he admitted before blowing out a deep breath.
“I know, and your dad is going to take care of everything. I promise you, I’m here whenever you want to talk. Is that okay with you?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He went to walk away but turned back to me in my kneeling position. He hugged me briefly before saying, “Thank you, Ms. Stella.”
“You’re welcome, Matthew. Get changed and we can work with Zeus for a while.” I looked at Zeus and instructed, “Follow Matthew.”
