Page 76 of Hold Back
“Really?” At Red’s curt nod, his mouth went dry. “You live in a scary world, Daddy.”
He never imagined the danger out there. Now he realized his brother had kept him away from that. How many of the Evergreen Wolves had been involved in the gray area Tony walked?
Red smoothed a thumb along his cheekbone, his smile almost tender as he gazed into Kit’s eyes. “My job is to stop your world being scary, boy.”
“I don’t think that’s working,” Kit confessed. “Every time I think I’ve gotten a handle on this, something throws me for a loop. Like old women being kidnapped and hurt by bad guys.”
Red enfolded him in his arms. “I’ll keep you safe, I promise.”
Sighing, and still stark naked but not caring, Kit leaned against him. “Promise?”
“Pinkie swear.”
Kit hesitated, then he tugged out of Red’s arms and ran out of the bedroom.
“Clothes, boy,” Red bellowed after him, but Kit ignored it. She’d seen his junk already.
Mo and Lucinda stared as he ran up to them.
“Uh, Kit, I thought you were getting dressed,” Mo said.
Kit flapped his hand. “She’s seen it already.”
“Kit?” Red said.
But Kit focused on Mo. “You should move me. It’s not fair on—” He turned to the woman.
“Lucinda,” she said.
He nodded. “Lucinda. I’m Kit.” His introduction was somewhat unnecessary as they’d all barked his name butwhatever. “It’s not fair on Lucinda if she’s in danger because of me.”
He saw something in Mo’s eyes. Was that dawning respect?
Red turned him around and dressed him in a hoodie and sweats. “Let’s be dressed for this conversation, yeah?”
Kit turned back to Lucinda. “I don’t want you to get hurt because of me. I’ve already lost my home.”
She reached out. He gingerly took her right hand.
“It takes a lot to scare me, Kit. Mo gave me the lowdown before I arrived. I intend just to sleep and relax. Mo and the boys will extract me if the situation changes.”
“Are you sure?” Kit asked.
“I’m sure. But thank you for thinking of me. Not everyone would.”
“I’m scared.” He hadn’t intended to make that admission.
“Go back to your Daddy. He’ll keep you safe.”
Red tugged Kit into his arms and led him back to the bedroom.
“That was kind of you,” he said.
“It’s true.” Kit worried his bottom lip. “She’s been hurt so much. You can see it in her eyes.”
“She has, but Mo will take care of her, I promise.”
“And us?”
