Page 33 of Protecting Addison
“Addy?” MacGyver asked.
“Um…they can stay.”
“We’ll be in the kitchen,” Remi said.
“But don’t worry, we won’t touch anything,” Wren reassured Addison.
She smiled slightly at that.
“You want me to go get Ellory when school is out?” Kevlar looked at his watch. “Half an hour, right?”
“Yeah. Would you mind?”
“Not at all. I’ll be sure to flex extra hard so if any of her bullies are around, they’ll see.” Kevlar clapped MacGyver on the shoulder. “Be back soon.”
When they were alone in the foyer, MacGyver said, “I’m so sorry.”
“About what?”
He wasn’t sure. Just that he hated the idea that Addison might be hurting because of him. If she hadn’t married him, she wouldn’t have gotten close to Artem, Borysko, and Yana. But then again, if she hadn’t agreed to marry him, he probably wouldn’t have been able to keep them either. His mind was spinning.
Addison leaned in and put her forehead against his. As they were the same height, it was easy for her to do. Her hands were at his waist, and his were at hers. Their breaths mingled as they stood there. It was an intimate position, and just what MacGyver needed.
“Do you think they’re all right?” she whispered.
“Probably scared and confused.”
“Yeah. I wish I knew what happened so we could keep it from happening again.”
“Me too. And Tex will determine what went wrong. I’m guessing he’ll do what needs to be done to make sure they’re never taken away again.”
“This Tex guy sounds kind of scary.”
“He’s a teddy bear.”
Addison snorted and lifted her forehead from his. “Are you all right?”
“Me? Yeah, why?”
“Because. I know how much those kids mean to you. I love them, yes, but the three of you…you have a special bond. One that was formed in that bombed-out city. This had to have hit you hard.”
MacGyver closed his eyes for a moment. She was right. It blindsided him. He hadn’t been able to function after that call. If Kevlar hadn’t been there, taking control, he wasn’t sure what he would’ve done. “They’re so innocent. They didn’t ask for their country to be bombed. For their parents to be killed. To be on their own so young, trying to survive. If we hadn’t been there…if we hadn’t taken shelter in one of their hiding spots…” His voice trailed off.
“But youwerethere. And now they’re here. With us.”
“Addison?”
“Yeah?”
“If things don’t work out, if Tex can’t work his magic…if the kids have to go back to Ukraine…I’m not going to hold you to our marriage. I mean, I’ll stay married to you so Ellory can have the healthcare she needs, but you can stay here at the house and I’ll find an apartment.”
“What?” Addison gasped, sounding shocked.
“We both know this marriage happened because of those kids. And if they aren’t a factor anymore, it doesn’t feel fair to make you stay with me.”
Addison straightened. “Seriously?” she asked, sounding pissed now.
“Well…yeah.”
