Page 63 of Make Me Whole

“It’s not bullshit,” Sky protested. “How can you stop Eli from harassing me? Or the police from following me? Are you gonna punch all of them like a comic book character?”

I crossed my hands over my chest and took a step closer—maybe too close. “I can take you someplace where he won’t find you.”

She smiled. “Like where?”My house,my brain responded without thinking. As if she had heard me, she continued, “You’ve tried that already. You moved me to this house, changed Ella’s school, and kept us hidden, but Eli found us anyway. No matter where you take me, he’ll find me. The hearing with the judge is two months away, and thanks to you and Dad, I have an excellent lawyer now. All I have to do is wait and keep either of you from making matters worse.”

“You want me to just sit by and watch as you make yourself sick with worry? There’s no fucking way I’ll do that. That’s not the kind of man I am.”

Her gaze softened as she stared at me, and even though both her dad and Molly were watching us, Sky reached to touch my arm. “I know the kind of man you are, Max. But our friendship doesn’t make you responsible for me and Ella in that way. I’ve told you I won’t let you do something stupid to protect us when it can lead to you or Aiden being in harm’s way, and I meant it. That’s not the kind of woman I am.”

My heart pounded so fast I felt like it was going to rip through my chest. It was hard to say what aggravated me the most, that she wouldn’t let me do my job as her man or that my own lack of commitment was the culprit of our predicament. Either way, I felt powerless and angry.

“Fuck this,” I muttered and walked out of the kitchen.

Alone on the back porch, I cursed my design decision to install sliding doors instead of French doors. Forcefully sliding a door shut doesn’t have the same impact as forcefully slamming a door.

Frustrated, I paced back and forth and tugged my hair so hard I was certain I’d go bald before I was calm. I turned around at thewhooshof the door being open, hoping that it was Sky.

It wasn’t. It was Al.

“I didn’t know you two had gotten that close.”

You have no idea how close.“We’re together all the time, Al. And she’s a pretty special lady.”

A proud father's smile curled up his lips. “That she is.”

I wanted to tell him just how special Skylar was to me. I wanted to come clean and ask for his blessing to make her officially mine—for personal satisfaction, as well as for her safety. But angry as I was, I knew I’d say all the wrong things and ruin my one chance to make Al not hate me for loving his daughter.

So instead, I went with, “She’s also stubborn in her determination to protect us, when she’s the one who needs protecting. No matter how many times I’ve explained that Eli can’t hurt us, she won’t listen.”

Al chuckled and raised a brow. “Just like her mother. Though Louisa’s motivation for never listening was far less noble.”

He was right about that. I had loved Lou like a sister, but she was a selfish bitch. I offered a half-assed smirk in response.

Al sat at the wooden bench and rested his arms on the railing. He looked at the red trees and shook his head.

“She’s right, though. Not about keeping us safe, but about moving again. Wherever she goes, he will find her. The only way they will be free of him is with full custody and a divorce. We got her the best law firm in Seattle to ensure she gets both. We gotta trust them and wait.”

“I know, but not doing anything makes me feel like . . .”

“Like when Marge died,” he finished, knowing me too well for my own good.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“I know, but Sky’s not Marge, man. You’ve been living with her ghost for so long that you’re always thinking someone you care about is going to die, but Sky won’t. Eli may keep pestering her, but she’s safe in this house. We protect her by reassuring her and keeping her calm.”

He was right. I knew it. I still didn’t like it. It was still not enough. I had to do something. I had to do more.

More . . .

An idea sparked in my head, and it was a good one. The kind of good that would allow me to keep her calm and relaxed.

“Thanksgiving is next week. What if we left town? Went somewhere different for a holiday? I’m sure that a change of air and a few miles away from Windy River would help Sky relax.”

Al raised his brows as if surprised I had come up with a good idea. It was both funny and a little offensive. “That could work. She loves to travel but hasn’t been anywhere since her honeymoon. Problem is, I can’t go. Both of Molly’s kids are coming over for the holiday, and she’s very excited for me to meet them.”

My heart pounded with enthusiasm at adding being-naked-in-my-arms to the list of things my brilliant plan would allow Sky to enjoy during a mini-vacation.

“I can,” I deadpanned, glad that my voice came out casual instead of horny with excitement. “The kids would love it.”

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