Page 23 of Iced Out

“Absolutely.”

He sobered a little. “If I knew how to fight, maybe I could’ve stopped those men from taking Tae.”

“Don’t blame yourself for that,” Clint said. “Those were grown men, and they had weapons. Knowing how to fight and defend yourself comes with responsibility. You still have to use your head if you want to stay safe. Acting recklessly can be dangerous. Remember that.”

“I will,” Luke promised. “Do you think Tae and Ash will want to take lessons, too?”

“Maybe,” Axel said. “We’ll give them a few days, then talk to Kane and Cochise first.”

“Okay.” Luke pursed his lips. “I know they’ll want to. Ash feels really bad that he couldn’t save Tae.”

“I can understand,” Axel murmured. “But he shouldn’t; it wasn’t any more his fault than yours. Like Clint said, they were adult, armed men. They could have hurt you a lot worse.”

Luke leaned against Clint. “But you hurt them instead. Right, Dad?”

Clint cupped the back of Luke’s head and nodded. “Right, son.”

CHAPTER 10

“Where’s Tae and Ash?” Cochise asked when he noticed they weren’t in the living room with the others.

“They’re in Tae’s room, lying down,” Kane said. “I think everything exhausted them. And maybe they were feeling anxious about you coming home.”

“Why?”

“I think you should talk to them.”

Cochise nodded and headed for the bedroom. He paused outside the door and listened. Silence inside. He eased the door open to find Ash and Tae asleep on the bed, Tae’s head resting on Ash’s shoulder. Cochise’s eyes fell on their bruised faces, and his rage at the dead men bubbled back to life. Maybe he should have prolonged their suffering.

Cochise knocked lightly on the door. Ash stirred first, eyes widening at the sight of the Egyptian. Easing out from under Tae’s head, Ash started to rise and go to Cochise, then faltered and sat back down.

“What’s wrong?” Cochise stepped into the room and closed the door, then approached the bed.

“I…” Ash looked down, eyes misting. “I was the oldest… I should’ve done something.” Ash looked up as tears glistened. “I’m sorry.”

“No.” Cochise shook his head. “Nothing to be sorry for. You did what you could, and that was enough.” He cleared his throat. “I’m proud of you—and Luke—for trying to help him. You did good. And recording them was smart; it helped a lot.”

Ash stood, hesitated, then hugged Cochise. “I’m glad you’re home,” Ash whispered.

Cochise returned the hug. “Those men will never hurt anyone else.”

Ash held onto him and spoke softly, tentatively. “I feel safe here. I’ve never felt safe anywhere. No one’s ever protected me before.” Ash swallowed. “They’ve only… hurt me.”

“Never again,” Cochise murmured. “You’re my kid now. No one touches my kids. Those men who grabbed Tae… they found out what happens when they try.”

“Dad…?” Tae mumbled sleepily. He sat up, rubbing his eyes. “You’re home.”

Ash stepped back. “I’m gonna go see if Kane needs help with dinner.”

“All right.” Cochise touched Ash’s face. “Your face will heal,” he murmured. “And you’ll be as beautiful as ever.”

Ash smiled shyly, cheeks warming. “Thanks… Dad.”

When he was alone with Tae, Cochise sat on the edge of the bed and pulled Tae into his arms. The boy trembled. “Are they really gone?” His quiet voice shook, betraying the lingering fear.

“They’re gone,” Cochise confirmed. “As gone as anyone can get.”

“I heard what Ash said,” Tae whispered. “I feel safe here, too. No one’s ever protected me either.”