Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 107352 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107352 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
“That it’s fine if they get mouthy,” he grumbled.
“No,” Tatum assured him, leaning against me and wrapping her arms around my waist. “Are you all right?”
“Fine,” I rasped, grinning at Luke.
We went downstairs with Griff leading the way, and when we all reached the dining room, the three people sitting at the table stood up.
“Mom, Dad, Quinn,” Luke said, hand on the small of my back as he steered me forward, “this is Nash Miller, who takes care of us.”
Luke’s father, John, had a strong handshake, and his mother, Viola, gave me a hug. When Quinn took my hand, I noted her narrowed eyes. She was not missing how close Luke was standing, his hand on my bicep, or how, when we all took seats at the table, he was right there to my left, leaning against me.
“So, Nash,” John began, leaning forward in his chair, regarding me. “Who are you, exactly? I heard a lot about you from my granddaughter as we were shopping.”
Which meant Quinn had probably been strolling the aisles with Luke.
I leaned forward as well, meeting John’s gaze. “I’m a fixer, sir, and I was hired by Abel Roarke, Caitlyn’s brother, to watch over your son and the kids as she prepares to testify.”
“You’re in danger because of that woman?” John barked at his son.
“Dad, we don’t know what exact—”
“What does that woman mean?” Griff asked his grandfather.
Silence at the table.
John cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have phrased it that way. I was just surprised. Your mother has made some very poor choices and—”
“That’s fine,” Griff said with a lifted hand. “And I get that you’d be mad about how she treated Dad, but please never call her that again. She’s my mom, and I really hope to see her again someday.”
It was quiet then, and when Griff turned to Luke, Luke smiled at him.
“Was that okay?”
“Yes,” he assured his son. “You advocated for yourself without being combative. Good job. Dr. Marlowe will be pleased when you tell her.”
“Thanks,” he said softly, then got up, and when he reached me, leaned down into my arms, squeezing me. “Thanks for making it okay to talk about her.”
I could hear the wobble in his voice, so I hugged him tight. “It was an easy change.”
“No,” he said, easing back to look at me. “It wasn’t.”
“Well, it’s all good now,” I said, hands on his face, using my thumbs to wipe away his tears. “You especially.”
He nodded, and when I let him go, I noticed Quinn. Her chin was in the palm of her hand, her fingers curled against her cheek, and was regarding me with a bemused expression.
“Quinn?”
“Nash,” she murmured, smiling at me.
“You all right?”
“Just fine,” she said, her eyes flicking to Luke and then back to me. “I’m good.”
I had no idea what that meant.
“You talk about your mother now?” Viola asked Griff.
“Yeah. We’ve normalized it.”
“Had to be done,” Tatum assured her grandmother, bumping Griff’s shoulder. “Plus, we have a therapist now, Dr. Marlowe, as you heard, so we’re all getting better.”
John and Viola were visibly stunned.
“I’m hungry,” Griff announced to the table. “Who wants some kolachkes with cream cheese and sausage?”
Tatum raised her hand. “Oh, me. Yes, please.”
He got up then, and an open-mouthed Viola watched him leave the table and go to the kitchen, where he preheated the oven.
“He cooks?” she asked Luke.
“He does. He loves it, and it’s been great,” he replied, smiling at her. “If you could let him help you make the turkey and everything for Thanksgiving, that would be appreciated.”
“Of course I will. I would love to show—” She turned to me then. “This is your influence, isn’t it.”
I made a face. “It’s him mostly, ma’am, working hard, making changes.”
“Yes, but there’s always a catalyst, and that had to be you. I mean, look at this place,” she said, gesturing toward the living room. “It’s marvelous.”
“It is,” Quinn agreed, and when I glanced at her, she sat up from her slouched position and gave me a wry smile. “Truly.”
“Thank you,” I said to her, then refocused on Viola. “And thank you, ma’am. The kids have done great with all the changes.”
“Yes, they have, and don’t call me ma’am, call me Viola.” She got up and joined Griff in the kitchen, standing close but with her hands behind her back so he’d know she was solely there to observe.
“You’re not a bodyguard, then?” John asked, returning my attention to him.
“Nash is a fixer,” Luke explained. “It’s not the same as a bodyguard. He works to create an entirely new environment. Protection is only a minor part of his mandate.”
“Oh no,” I groaned. “You’ve been reading the website.”
“And quite an impressive website it is,” he teased, shoulder-checking me gently. “That mission statement alone is worth the price of admission.”
“Why?”
“To learn more about Torus Intercession, of course,” he replied cheerfully. “I’m interested in you, so why wouldn’t I look up the company you work for?”