Page 37 of Revelation (Love Isn't What It Seems 3)

“Are you sure there is time for you to take Brandon to daycare?”

“Yes, I’m sure,” I assured her. “Now go.”

Brandon was just coming down the stairs and she ran to him, pecking him loud on the cheek.

“Have a great day, buddy.” She gave him a tight hug. “Love you.”

“Love you too.”

When she finally left out the door, I turned to Brandon. “Okay, we have some time, and I have chocolate pancakes ready for your breakfast. What do you say?”

Immediately his face lit up. That boy loved chocolate pancakes.

An hour later, we were at the daycare. His little hand squeezed mine.

“Are you okay, buddy?”

I wasn’t good with children like Lena and Livy, but I knew something bothered the little guy.

His big eyes met my gaze. “I miss Alexander.”

It was hard to explain to him why Alexander wasn’t around. He has been asking for him and Maxim. “I know. You’ll see him again. All of them.”

“Promise?”

I lowered down to his level. “I promise.” If I had to take him to see Alexander or drag that man over, I intended to keep my promise.

“I don’t like Charlie,” he mumbled.

I frowned at the sudden change of subject. “Who is Charlie?”

“The boy here in my class.”

“Why don’t you like him?”

“He plays rough. Sometimes it makes Jenny cry.” I learned Jenny was a little girl, from his class, that Brandon took to. Just like the adults, children were complicated little humans.

My cell phone rang at that exact moment. I pulled out the phone and noted an unknown number. I was half tempted to send it to voicemail but worried maybe it was about my interview.

I quickly answered. “Hello?”

“Layla Cambridge?”

“Yes, this is her. I am so sorry, but can you hold on a second please?”

“Sure.”

I took the phone away from my ear and focused on Brandon. “Listen, buddy. If he plays rough and you don’t like it, tell him to cut it out. If he doesn’t stop, tell him Aunt Layla will kick his little bottom. And don’t let him make Jenny cry.”

“Can you do that?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Just tell him no rough playing. If he tries to hurt Jenny, you protect her.”

“But Livy said never to hit anyone.”

“And she is right. But if he starts it, you have to defend yourself. And Jenny.”

He thought for a second and then nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”

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