Page 45 of Night of the Living Manny
“I’m sorry, Diana. I tried so hard, but it just got ahead of me.” Maybe he’d gotten sloppy.
Maybe he’d gotten complacent. Tired.
Something.
He just hadn’t done his job, and now his whole family was in terrible danger. Liam put his head in his hands and began to sob.
Moments later, he felt warm hands land on his shoulders. “Liam? What can I do?”
He sniffed hard, slapping at his cheeks, not wanting Brenden to see how fucking upset he was. “I’m sorry.”
“Hey. It’s okay.” Brenden looped both arms around his shoulders, warm and comforting.
No. No, it wasn’t. God. “I swear, I’ve been fighting. Trying my best to make everything safe.”
“I know. I can tell. I’m sorry.”
“I’m so….”Ashamed.
“This whole situation sucks. I know you’re doing the best you can.” Brenden was a natural comforter, holding on to him and letting him lean back to rest his shoulders and neck.
“I am. Greg seemed so trustworthy, so committed.” He’d never thought the man would sell out. Hell, he’d even thought about confiding his mission to Greg more than once.
“That’s shitty.” Brenden rubbed his shoulders.
“Yes. God, yes. I thought he was my friend.”
“Did he know? That you were trying to keep this contained?”
“I think so. He seemed to be on the same page.” None of them knew who the others were, for safety.
“Then he pulled aJurassic Parkon you. God.” Brenden squeezed a little, giving him some pressure.
“Exactly. Dodson ahoy.” He loved that Brenden got that silly reference. He loved a lot of things about Brenden.
“So now we just have to work through it.” Brenden chuckled. “I hope I can help.”
“I hope you don’t hate me. I didn’t know this was going to happen.”
“No, I get that.” Brenden paused for a long moment. “I’m worried. I hate that this has happened. But I don’t hate you at all.”
“Thank you. I think… I’m going to need a friend.” He wanted more, but a friend was valuable.
“I think you will.” Brenden kissed the back of his neck. “I’m going to go check on the kids.”
“Okay, thank you. Holler if you need me.”
“Do you need coffee?”
“I would love some if you don’t mind.” That would definitely fuel the brain cells, which felt sluggish and underfed.
“I’ll bring you one, but you’ll have to sleep at some point.”
“I know.” Liam blinked, hearing his lashes click together. “I will.”
“Okay, I’ll hold you to it.”
“Thanks. Seriously, Brenden. For everything.”
