Page 38 of Hold Back
Red’s eyes narrowed as if he wasn’t convinced Kit was being truthful, but Kit held his gaze and Red expelled a deep breath.
To Kit’s surprise, Red pushed Kit’s hair back from his face. “Good boy.” His tone was so soft, it made Kit’s heart melt. He so much wanted to be Red’s boy.
Red picked up the blanket again and gathered Kit awkwardly against him. “Rest now.”
“You’ll wake me if there’s an issue?” Kit said.
“I will, I promise.”
Kit closed his eyes, hoping he hadn’t placed his trust in the wrong man. He placed his palm over Red’s heart, feeling a muffledthump thump. He fell asleep with Red carding his fingers through his hair. It was soothing and just what he needed.
“Kit, wake up.”
“Don’ wanna,” he muttered, thumping his pillow.
“Ow.”
Kit opened one eye to see Red staring down at him with a pained expression and clutching his chest. “Wassamatter?”
“Apart from thumping me in the pec?” Red gave him a wry smile. “We’re here. You can stay in the car if you want. You might freeze to death though.”
Kit yawned and sat up, peering through the window, although he couldn’t see much. “Is this the safe house?”
“It is.”
Red helped him out of the SUV, and he saw Jace standing by while Padraig talked to another man.
The biting wind whipped around Kit and seemed to tear through his jacket. He shivered and clutched his jacket close to him. “I guess there’s no nightclub nearby.”
Of all the stupid things to say, but Red just snorted.
“You’d be right there.”
“Couldn’t we have gone somewhere warm? Did you have to bring me to the middle of nowhere?” Kit grumbled.
“Suck it up, kid,” Red said, way too cheerfully.
Kit’s belly rumbled and he felt hollow inside. When was the last time he ate? He couldn’t remember. Kit was always erratic with his eating, but now he washungry.
“I’ll get you inside,” Red said, an arm around his shoulders. “There’ll be food in the cabin.”
“I’m starving,” Kit admitted, wishing he could just run away and hide.
“Me too. Come let me introduce you to Mo, then we can shut the door on everyone.”
Kit stared at him, blinking back sudden tears. How did Red guess that’s what he wanted to do?
Red held him close. “Just stay next to me. No running,” he warned.
“No promises,” Kit muttered.
Red rolled his eyes. At least, Kit thought he did. It was kinda difficult to tell in the dark. “You’re tired, hungry, and your world has turned upside down. You need food and sleep.”
He herded Kit over to Padraig and a man who looked older than them, with his hair tied back in a ponytail and dressed in a flannel jacket and jeans. He looked warmer than Kit felt even with Red pressed against his side.
“Mo, thanks for helping out.” Red said. “This is Kit Monroe.”
Mo eyed him for a moment. “Your chaos demon? I hear you ran away today. Don’t do that here.”
