Page 44 of Yours on the Canvas

Jackie? Do they know each other?

He pushes between Deck and me and walks toward the door. He doesn’t leave though. No. He pushes my boy even further.

“I’ll see you soon, Jackie.”

Then he walks out.

My head snaps back to Jack, just in time to see him slump to the floor, tears streaming down his face and a ragged sob tearing out of him.

* * *

I race around the counter and feel a sharp pain jolt up my knees and into my hips as I land next to Jack. I sit, and I pull him into my lap, wrapping my arms around him, his head tucked in against my neck.

His uncontrollable sobs tear at my heart, and I feel utterly useless as his fingers wrap tightly around my shirt, pulling it into a ball in his palm.

“Baby? Who was he?” My words are soft, gentle as I speak to him. My fingers brush his hair off his forehead, and I press a light kiss against his skin.

Before he can answer, Finn arrives, dropping down next to me. He takes one look at Jack and his lips tighten into a thin line.

“What happened?” He asked me.

“He had a visitor. A man. Tall, dark hair, black eyes. A real dick.”

I see shock flick across his face. He looks at Deck, then back to Jack. His hands move straight to his hair, fingers tugging at it with so much force that Deck steps in immediately.

Deck moves behind him, grabs both of Finn’s wrists in one hand, and pulls them away before he can do more damage. He holds Finn’s hands easily, steadying him, then runs his forefinger along Finn’s cheek.

“There you are, Little One.” Deck’s voice is quiet as he leans in and presses a kiss to Finn’s nose.

After a moment, Finn pulls in a deep breath, and nods at Deck. “I’m okay, Lumberjack.”

“Do you know who it was?” Deck asks quietly.

Finn nods, “It’s his dad.”

My heart drops into my stomach at those three words. Jack had run from his father. How the hell had he found him. But then Finn’s next words hit me like a stomach punch.

“Him and his uncle saw his fight in Vancouver. They found him on the dead-end road and left him there to die.” Finn’s tears fall silently. Deck lifts his hand and holds Finn’s cheek.

“They knew he was here?” Deck beats me to the question.

Finn nods and looks at Jack as he nuzzles into my neck, pulling my attention back to him. I kiss Jack’s forehead again. “I’ve got you, baby. You’re safe.” I don’t know if my words are meant more to comfort him or me.

“Tell us, Little One.” Deck says.

Finn sighs, then looks at Jack. “Jack?” He’s asking him for permission.

Jack doesn’t speak, just gives a small nod. His lips move to my neck, nipping and sucking at my skin. I let him. If he needs that connection, he can take whatever he needs from me.

The café is empty now, so CJ locks the door before coming back to us. He sits on the floor beside me and waits, silent and steady, waiting for Finn to begin.

“We were both here last week when Jack’s uncle decided to pay him a visit.” Finn’s words pull a choked sob from Jack, and if he could bury himself deeper into my chest, he would. My arms tighten around him, and he sucks harder at my neck.

“I’ve got you, dove. I’ve got you.” My words are barely audible, as I rock him slowly. The sucking softens until his lips simply rest against my skin.

“He threatened Jack. They call him their Stray Dog., they always have. Told him they saw his fight, saw him at the road, and left him for dead.” Finn looks at Jack, then at me. “He threatened him. Threatened me.”

The instant he says “Threatened me,” Deck’s body tenses, spine straight and rigid.