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Asher was happy for us to remain at the apartment in the city, and for us to utilize his security. He was stuck in New York anyway. His father had cancer and didn’t have many days left to live. He and Eli were sitting vigil at his bedside.
We had talked about moving back in to my mom and dad’s place for a while, but I felt more comfortable with us in our own space. The relationship between my guys and my brothers was better, but still a little strained and I didn’t want them to have to deal with that day and night.
I knew we needed to talk about going back home. If Soloman had fled, it was pointless us being there in Chicago, just waiting for news that may never come.
The repairs had been completed at the house and Aleks had ordered everything he needed to repair the security system once we got back there, so there was no reason not to go back really, except I worried about my family.
I was still terrified Soloman would go after them to get to me and I felt better being close to them, maybe able to do something if Soloman did try to terrorize them again.
Livy and the guys had moved back home after tightening up their security to Fort Knox levels, and they had brought the kids home too, which was also terrifying. What if something happened to the kids? How would I ever forgive myself? The answer to that was easy – I wouldn’t.
“Good. I made plenty and I have tubs for you to take back to the apartment. I made you empanadas too,” Matt told me. He, Cole, and Livy had come over to eat with us, mainly, I suspected to bring me food. Kyle and Kade were home with the kids, working relentlessly on trying to get a lead on Soloman. Apart from me, Zack, and the guys, it was just mom, dad, and Xander who completed the dining table.
“Thank you,” I told Matt. The broth was the first real thing I had eaten since I saw that damned photo of Jason King and I knew my body needed it.
Everyone else was eating the pasta Matt had cooked, and my guys were hoovering it down like they never ate before, just like they always did. Zack squealed, clearly annoyed at Nick for not feeding him fast enough. He had a crushed up slice of garlic bread in his hand, but he wanted the pasta which Nick was feeding him a piece at a time.
“Okay, Mr. Impatient,” Kailan laughed, making us all chuckle when Zack just squealed again.
“Da Da!” he cried then, and we all paused and stared at him. He was staring right at his dad. Clearly he knew who ‘Da Da’ was.
“Oh my God!” I gasped.
“That was his first word,” Nick announced, a huge grin on his face as he turned to his son. “You clever boy. Say it again. Say ‘Da Da’,” Nick coached.
“Da Da Da,” Zack chanted as he reached his free hand towards the food.
“Good job, little dude,” Kailan told him with a huge smile. We were all smiling. It was a big moment and the pride on Nick’s face was everything.
“Zack, say Aleks,” Aleks spoke up, leaning in close to Zack. “A-leks,” he sounded it out, but Zack just offered him the crushed up garlic bread from his hand, then turned back to Nick, who held the pasta out on a spoon for him. I burst out laughing when Zack lurched forward so fast to get it in his mouth, he almost missed it.
“He’s such a good eater Nick. He’s not going to give you any problems. Such a little cutie,” my mom said.
“We might have problems affording to stock the refrigerator when he gets bigger,” Harris laughed.
“You guys still planning to go back to work tomorrow?” Xander asked, looking to Cole and Matt.
“I have to. I have a big client meeting I need to be at,” Matt sighed.
“And I am not going to have a job if I don’t get back to the lab this week,” Cole added.
“You’ll be careful though, right? I mean, he messed with your brakes before Matt,” I worried.
“Kade has arranged for one of his team to drop us off and pick us up. We’ll be safe at work because we both work in pretty secure buildings,” Cole explained.
“We’ll be fine, hermanita. No worrying about us, okay? You’re worrying way too much,” Matt told me with worry on his face as he looked at me.
“He’s right, babe, You are putting yourself through way too much stress right now. We’re all worried about you,” Nick added.
“It’s hard not to stress when there’s a serial killer out there somewhere with my name on his to do list,” I snapped then I buried my face in my hands, instantly feeling bad for snapping at them at all. I was just so tired and frazzled. I wasn’t sleeping, barely eating and worrying constantly. I was a wreck.
“Ev…” Harris placed his large hand on my back and I looked up at him.
“I’m okay,” I told him. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t snap like that. I’m just tired.”
“We know, darlin’. We get it,” Kailan told me with a forced smile. “You have nothing to apologize for.”
“Why don’t you go upstairs and lie down for a while, honey? You might sleep better in your own room,” mom suggested, but she had no idea. It didn’t matter where I lay when I closed my eyes, Soloman was always there waiting for me.
