Page 47 of Shattered King

Josh was gone when I opened the bedroom door. I knew he couldn’t have gone far, but panic seized me, firing through my veins. I jogged back toward the living area. The place was huge and open. The only other rooms were the bathroom and bedrooms. Hunter’s room was larger, longer, and the wall formed a sort of hallway. The living room was set up directly in front of me, and across from that was the kitchen. I rounded the corner, the only corner in the vast space, and came to a screeching halt.

Josh stood in the kitchen in his green dinosaur PJs, his nighttime Pull-Ups hanging low on his little booty, making the pants sag at the back, with his thumb in his mouth. His head was tilted back, big blue eyes round and locked on Hunter.

Hunter was looking down at my son, and I watched as a grin lifted one side of his mouth. That grin made my belly do funny things. Then his big body folded smoothly, coming down, so he was crouching low, and his smile got bigger. “You hungry, Josh?”

My son continued to stare at him then, finally, he nodded, soft curls bouncing.

“Do you like hot chocolate?” Hunter asked.

More nodding, then a small smile lifted the corners of my baby’s mouth around his thumb.

Hunter’s chest expanded with his sudden, sharp, indrawn breath. And I watched, holding mine, as he reached out and brushed his thumb over the back of Josh’s chubby hand. “I’ll take that as a yes, my man.”

Josh popped his thumb out, and the grin got bigger. “Pop Tarts.”

Hunter broke into laughter, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Hunter laughing was something to see. Something goddamn spectacular. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen him laugh, the last time I’d heard that deep, sexy rumble.

“Is that what your mama feeds you?”

My face heated when Josh nodded his head again, the little traitor.

Josh moved closer, leaning against Hunter’s knee.

Hunter brushed his hand over my son’s hair. “I think I can do better. What about pancakes?”

I decided now was as good a time as any to open my mouth, instead of standing there like an idiot. “Um . . . yeah, he loves pancakes.”

Josh turned to me, and Hunter’s head came up. He rose to his feet, gaze sweeping me from head to toe and back. I swear I felt it, felt it like he’d reached out and ran his hands over me. “You should still be in bed resting. I can watch Josh.”

“I’m fine. Really. And sorry, I thought he’d stay asleep while I showered.”

That stare turned intense, stayed locked on me. “You don’t have to apologize. I told you, I look after what’s mine.” His gaze flicked down to Josh then back to me. “I meant it.”

Shit. It was too damn early in the morning for this. But Josh broke the moment when he walked over to me, lifting his arms to be picked up for his morning hug. I leaned over automatically, to lift him into my arms, and groaned, my bruised body telling me I needed some drugs ASAP.

Josh’s face crumpled. “Mama?”

“I’m okay, baby. Mama’s okay.”

His little hand curled into the side of my yoga pants, hanging on tight. Goddammit. I ran my hand over his hair and fought back the angry tears threatening to escape. Ever since I opened up to Hunter, told him what happened to me, I’d been on the verge of falling apart. I hated it, hated how helpless and weak it made me feel.

Hunter prowled toward me. Yes, prowled. All long legs and sinewy strength. His hands went to my shirt, and before I had a chance to open my mouth, he lifted it high enough to check out my fading bruises. He knew my body was bruised but he hadn’t seen the damage for himself.

He cursed under his breath, fingers whisper soft, brushing over my abused skin before his gaze lifted to mine. And what I saw, right then, that Hunter would make Pierce suffer if he caught him. And I was glad of it. It was sick and twisted, and screamed of double standards. I didn’t want any part of what Hunter did to make his money. Josh would never be brought up in a world of violence, where breaking the law every day to make a living was okay. I didn’t know exactly what Hunter did, but I’d seen him in action, more than once when he worked for Pierce. I knew what he was capable of. And after being held at the agency, the things Ruby said, I got the feeling, legitimate business or not, things hadn’t changed a whole lot. Still, I’d stand happily by and watch him beat the shit of that asshole if he ever got the chance.

“Couch, babe.”

His low, rough voice slid over me, giving me happy shivers. I was powerless against it. So damn weak.

“Josh can help me make breakfast, right, buddy?”

Josh smiled again and let go of my leg. Hunter reached down, swung him up into his arms, and carried him to the kitchen. My son’s hand went to Hunter’s shoulder, flat against his plain black T-shirt. The sight just about had me crying all over again.

Pull it together.

Hunter came right back with a glass of water and a bottle of ibuprofen, and put them on the low table in front of me. “Coffee?”

“Thanks.” Josh was still in his arms, eyes locked on the man holding him. I knew my son, which meant I knew he wasn’t afraid or worried. This was confirmed when one of his little fingers inched up the side of Hunter’s neck and started tracing the ink there.