Page 17 of His to Keep
“Then what is your point?” I demand, my patience wearing thin.
Nora, bless her heart, is watching the two of us with equal amounts of concern and intrigue… like we’re a train veering off the tracks, and she can’t look away.
“I’m just saying,” Ellis presses on, his tone conversational, like we’re two strangers discussing the weather. “I don't know what kind of spell you've worked on Nora, but Atlas and I are immune.” He crosses his arms over his stupidly broad chest and glares at me like I’m evil incarnate. “I'm here to make sure nothing bad happens. After all, you have a history.”
I gasp, his words hitting their intended target like a poison-tipped arrow, sinking deep into my subconscious. I can practicallyfeelthe toxins working their way into my bloodstream as I fight like hell to keep my tears at bayandthink of a snappy retort.
Luckily, Nora has my back, giving me time to lock down my emotions. “What is wrong with you?” she spits with murder in her eyes. “You apologize right now or... or… or you can leave!” She stomps her foot for good measure, and I swear if I didn't think it would send her running, I'd hug her.
Ellis visibly deflates, dropping his eyes toward the floor. Upsetting Nora is tantamount to kicking a puppy, so Iknowhe feels awful.
Like the chicken shit he is, he mumbles a vague apology to his feet.
His lackluster apology doesn't faze me though, because I'm over here feeling like the anti-Grinch—with my heart three sizes too big—thanks to Nora standing up for me. Does that make mea sap? Maybe so, but after a lifetime of no one ever truly having my back, it feels damn good to be got.
“He isn’t leaving,” Atlas says, finally joining the conversation. “Nora told me about the notes you’ve been getting. When I asked Ellis here as a precautionary measure, he shed a little more light on the situation.” He narrows his eyes my way, silently telling me he knows there’s more to it than what I told Nora. “It’s final.”
My heart sinks to my gut as my entire body warms under his scrutiny. I want so badly to be annoyed, but at the same time, I get it—so I swallow back any arguments, bitter as they may be. “Understood.”
“She has sense, after all,” Ellis mutters to no one in particular. I want to chew him a new one—desperately—but I’ll take his usually brand of assholery over talking about me and my many shortcomings.
Or my stupidadmirer,for that matter. Especially since Ellis has actually read one of the letters.
“Anyway.” Nora cuts her eyes toward the guys. “You both have our numbers and the number to the bed and breakfast is on the fridge. We'll be home before lunch tomorrow. If you need anything,and I mean anything,don't hesitate to call.”
“Ten-four,” Ellis says, still refusing to look my way. Which is perfectly fine by me. He can never look at me again for all I care. The less I have to see his handsome—I mean stupid—face the better.
“You two get outta here. I've…” Ellis clears his throat, shifting uncomfortably on his feet as he corrects himself. “…we'vegot this. Promise.”
“Best behavior,” Atlas growls as Nora rushes back to the bedroom to put the finishing touches on her outfit. “I fucking mean it. My girl’s already nervous enough being away from James for the first time, so if either of you ruin it for her, I'll make you wish?—”
“Heel, Fido. Officer Jackass and I might be oil and water, but we can put our differences aside for one night... for y'all. And if not, then he can go home.”
“You wish,” he says at the same time Atlas says, “No, he really can’t.”
“You're right. I do wish, but this isn't about me, Ellis. Think you can set your ego aside for one night?”
“Ego?” I try my best not to smile at the outrage in his voice. “What ego?”
I roll my eyes and walk into the living room with James on my hip, settling us both down onto the couch.
Nora breezes back into the room, prattling on like she never left. “The pediatrician's number is on the fridge, too, and?—”
“Nora, babe, we got this. Go out with your man, eat good food, and have fun. Don't worry about us.”
“What she said,” Ellis mutters, still pouting with his arms crossed like a scolded child. “But not make-another-baby fun. Wrap that shit up.”
Atlas groans as Nora's cheeks flush as red as a strawberry, as she once again flits out of the room. “What in the hell is wrong with you, man?” Atlas growls, his eyes never leaving Nora’s retreating form.
“Oh, you’re just now realizing something's not right with this one?” I press my nose to the top of James's head and inhale his sweet baby smell. Although these days he’s edging into the stinky, sticky toddler smell. “Better late than never, I guess.”
“There's nothing wrong with me, Princess.”
I flip him off, discreetly of course, using the hand I'm rubbing James's back with.
“Real cute, Scar.”
My lips curl into a wicked grin. “That's the first smart thing I've heard you say all night.”
