Page 132 of His to Keep
“I love you, Sunshine.”
He groans a happy sound, almost a purr. “Say it again,” he demands.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Scarlet. Every piece ofmeloves all of you.I’mso glad I pulled my head out of my ass andrealized how absolutely amazing you are.”
Ilift my unbandaged hand his way, and heslides his palm against mine,holding me softly.
“What about...” God, I don’t even know where to start... James, Atlas, Nora. His mom. My mom. Fefe. Work.Everything.
“Where’s my Sweetpea?”my mom’s familiar voicericochets through the house.Guess that answers one question.
“In here, Stacey,”Ellis calls, just as she barges in,Heather hot on her heelswith James in her arms.
“Scar!” he shouts, but my mom talks over him, in full on mama-bear mode.
“Look at you, my beautiful baby girl.”Her usually bright eyes are dull with worryas she takes me in.“Are you okay?”
I try to nod, but it’s every bit as uncomfy as talking. “I’m fine.”
She narrows her eyes. “Scarlet Louise.”
“I am. Or, I will be.”
“What happened?” she rages. “Who did this to you?”
“Scar! Scar!”James yells again, straining to get to me.
“I think I’ll take him to the kitchen for a snack,”Ellis’s momsaysto the room before addressing me specifically.“I was worried sick about you, but I knew Ellis would bring you home.”
“Home?” my mom whisper-shouts, finally noticing my things all throughout the room. “Somebody better start talking.”
“That’s my cue,”Heather says, making her escape with James in tow.
I don’t even know where to start, and the thought of trying to explain it all is so beyond exhausting, all I can do is look to Ellis with puppy eyes.
“I’ll give you the rundown, Stacey,”Ellis starts, his hand never leaving mine—a detail my mother absolutely noticed.“But I’mgonnaneed you to listen without interrupting because the faster I can get it all out, the better for your daughter.”
“Yes, okay.” She mimes zipping her lips.
“Scarlet had a stalker. He was deranged and obsessed with her. When his behavior escalated, she came to me,and Iconvinced her to move in so I could keep her safe. Unfortunately, he had worked himself into several facets of herday-to-daylife, even inserting himself into her workplace. She believed him to be a friend, and he used it to his advantage and kidnapped her. I, along with some guys I work with,was able to track her location via a GPS-enhanced necklace. Working as a team, we were able to neutralize the threat and bring her home.”
Mom’s eyes fill with tears. “My brave, strong girl. What can I do?” she asks. “How can I help?”
“You can sit.”I jerk my head toward the other side of the bed.“And tell me all about your trip.”
“Are you sure?” She lifts one perfectly threaded brow. “Things got pretty wild. There was even a nude beach.”
Ellistenses beside me but wisely keeps his mouth shut.
“I’msure, Mama. Distract me with tales of your debauchery.”
“But first,”Ellis says, standing.“I know a little fur noodle who would love a cuddle.”
“Yes. Please.”It’sdumb, but I was so worriedI’dnever seeFefe again, never get to stroke her soft fur or fuss at her for stealing, well, anything she can get her paws on.
Mom’s lipcurlsbut shenods, resigned.“I’ll never understand your affection for that... thing.”She visibly shudders.“But anyway, let me tell you about Terry. He was theStaff Captain and is hung like horse...”
