Page 9 of Bobby

“Who, him?” Mr. Leone gives my girls the side-eye, but I see his mischievous smile, and it’s infectious. “He’s my protector.”

My first thought is the same one that Ivy has: “Why?”

But it’s Lily who draws the focus.

“Wow. Can he be mine too?”

Marco stops on the other side of the street and looks down at her with narrowed eyes. “What do you need protection from?”

“Dragons.”

Chapter 4—Bobby

I hold in my laughter, but my shoulders still shake as I watch the absolute horror on Marco’s face. I don’t think he believes in dragons. Learning of their existence isn’t the shocking part. It’s more that a child so pure would ask him to defend her from imaginary creatures, or anything else that might threaten her.

He looks to me for help, and I take pity on him.

“Marco is still learning how to take on dragons. He might not be able to fight them at the moment.”

Lily glances at me, then nods, seeming deep in thought before looking back at Marco. “I’ll write some training tips for you to study. It’ll help. I’ve been fighting them for years, so I know what I’m talking about.”

I look away to keep my smile of mirth away from the child. I don’t want her to think I’m laughing at her when she’s so serious about it.

I take in the building in front of us. A run-down apartment building with bars on the windows and a chipped glass panel near the front door. The people around us aren’t the worst, and I have little doubt that my car will be fine. People in places like this know who I am before I even step into the area. They know who my family are. It’s the expectation.

But I’m surprised when a face I recognize, along with the name that goes with it, catches my eye. We hold each other’s gaze for only a second before Ivy pulls my attention away.

“Hi, Mr. Jimmy.” She waves kindly as her mother smiles at the same man. One I know isn’t known for his niceties. When he waves back, I’m almost shocked.

“Hello, ladies. How’s the weekend going?”

“Well enough,” Ms. Frazzer says as she unlocks the door and lets the girls inside, followed by me. Marco stays outside.

I don’t plan to stay long, just enough to help carry the science project inside. Ivy takes it quickly from me but doesn’t turn to go up the stairs like her sister, who’s already climbed three steps.

“Do you want to stay for dinner?” Ivy asks.

I should say no. I don’t.

Her words have baffled me into silence, and as I look at her mom, it’s clear they’ve done the same for her as well.

“Oh, yes, please stay. We’re having fancy pasta tonight,” Lily says with a bounce down the steps. She grabs my hand to pull me forward.

I’m stuck in my spot and only sway at her movements as I look at their mother to seek some guidance. I wouldn’t force an employee into something like this. While I know there’s zero chance of danger in it for them with me, I also know I won’t be harmed here.

Jimmy would have warned me.

“Um, I….”

“Please?” Ivy asks.

Ms. Frazzer’s mouth closes after the initial drop at her daughter’s first request, and she smiles softly. “It’s nothing special, but you are welcome to stay.”

Something shifts inside me. I’m not sure if it’s the little girl tugging on me, the plea in her older sister’s eyes, or that Ms. Frazzer is looking at her girls with pure joy on her face rather than at me that has me accepting.

“I’m sure it will be wonderful.”

Lily shouts in glee, and Ivy turns in triumph to march up the stairs.