Page 35 of Embracing Darkness

I didn’t know what to say to that, mostly because I had no fucking intention of leaving the house ever again. Sure, I knew that was impractical, but Owen had really terrified me last night. The fact that Valentyn would even offer that…

“If he’s going to disturb you in your house, there’s no telling what he’ll try outside if you’re alone.”

I nodded immediately but there’d be a few hiccups. Mainly school and family dinners. I could easily just say I had deadlines for the time being and skip a few dinners. It scared me that I was already thinking long-term. “What about school?”

“That’s our problem to figure out. Now, get dressed. We’re going out.” He pulled me from the counter and set me back on my feet.

“Where?” I loved the fact that I didn’t have to choose but it was a lot to handle three guys who were seemingly perfect after someone like Owen. Add in Paval and it was the best little family I could ever ask for. For as long as it existed.

Valentyn threw me a large, genuine smile. “Paval said he’d like to go that popup amusement park a few streets over.”

Chapter twenty-five

RHYS

Paval sat on my shoulders as we strolled through the amusement park, my anxiety sifting into the background and only making a reappearance ever so often when the sounds became a little too overwhelming. Gianni and Dmitri took up my sides, making us look like the strangest family, Valentyn at my back, the silent protector.

The kid’s giggles made everything better as he pointed and cooed at all the colors and candy and excitement. The day was made even better when I somehow convinced all three of these men to don those stupid animal headbands. They looked ridiculous but the heated looks in their eyes as they slid them on told me that I was going to pay for it later.

Most likely when we were alone and Paval was asleep.

Fuck. Yes.

It was nearly 2 p.m. by the time my energy began to wane, Paval nearly flopping off my shoulders. Dmitri immediately stole the kid from me and Valentyn drew me against him, chuckling as I stumbled forward a few steps. “You alright?”

I nodded, smiling up at him because out of the past few weeks, this day had been my favorite. Valentyn leaned down to kiss me, wrapping one arm tightly around my waist as the other caressed my cheek. It would be so easy to fall in love with this man and yet I knew their presence and their protection was only temporary. When he pulled away, I was panting for air, Valentyn dragging a thumb over my moist lips.

“What was that for?” I whispered.

“Making Pav smile.”

My heart tingled with joy at how wonderfully sensitive these men were to that boy. Paval needed all the love he could get because it was everything he deserved. “We’re at a park. Of course, he’s going to smile.”

“And you’re the best thing that’s happened to him in a while.” I shrugged off the comment, going to follow the other two who had started making their way back to the car but Valentyn didn’t let me get far. “You’re more special than you give yourself credit for, Rhys. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll truly understand that.”

I shrugged that off too because I wasn’t used to the attention or the care with which they were giving me. Owen ignored my needs half the time or just wasn’t around for the rest. Just thinking of him right now made my head hurt. Focusing on the sleeping kid in Dmitri’s arms, I decided to ask the lingering question. “What are you going to do for the rest of the semester?” Valentyn threaded his fingers through mine but didn’t answer so I tried again. “Have you found something for him yet?”

“Not yet,” he ground out, obviously not wanting to talk about it but I knew that education was important, in whatever form they chose to give it to Paval. However, I wasn’t going to let the kid suffer because of one goddamn teacher.

So, I made a split-second decision that I wish I had held my tongue on. “Why not leave him with me? I can tutor him. Most of my classes are finished anyway and I just have to go on campus occasionally. I’m sure we could find some day programs for him and then I can teach him everything else, right? It’s the least I can do if you’re going to redo my kitchen.”Too soon.

It took me several seconds to realize that I had blurted this out in the middle of the park to a man I barely knew and had included myself in a decision that I hadn’t been asked to make. Fear exploded inside of me as I took a step back, trying to pull myself free.Fuck. Shit. I-

Valentyn wasn’t as keen on letting me go though, “Rhys, you don’t have to do that.” His voice had gone soft and sweet and my stupid mouth decided to keep digging my grave.

“It’s fine. It’ll give me something to occupy my time and give you a little piece of mind knowing that he’s always near. I have room in my house and you can-” My brain finally caught up with my words as I clamped my mouth shut. There was no fucking way I was going to ask them to move in. As much as I enjoyed their company, I had met these dangerous mendays agoand found out yesterday that their business was a little less than legal.

Not to mention that technically they had been hired by Owen to steal my dissertation. Why I was willingly hanging around with them even for the promise of protection was beyond me.

He seemed to understand my confusion as he pulled me back into his chest. “Stop worrying so much, Rhys. I like the way your brain works and I’m sure the guys will like the idea but the moment you feel it’s too much, you have to let me know.”

“Right.” I puffed out my chest, hoping to prove that I could do this one thing.

“I’mserious, Rhys. We’re not here to stress you out. We might have been hired but now we’re here to keep that goddamn piece of shit away from you.”

“Right,” I said again, not wanting to promise anything. I hadn’t been lying when I said it would give me something to do. It was going to help me avoid dealing with everything else.

“I don’t quite believe that you understand, but in time you will. Now, let’s get to the car before they leave us here at the park.” A giggle slipped out as we walked toward the parking lot, my heart beating just a little faster. It was too soon to talk about love, but fuck if I wasn’t already falling.

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