Page 67 of Back To Our Beginning

I was going to lose my mind. “You should have a gun.”

“That is not who I am. You joined the military, my brother did, my brother-in-law did. I didn’t. I’m a social worker. I believe in a different way.”

“A taser then. For God’s sake, Maddie. Let me get you a taser.”

“Beau—”

“I’m dying here, Maddie. You’re killing me,” I whispered. “Please.”

“I probably couldn’t hit anybody to save my life.”

I stepped up to her and curled my hands around her head, bringing it to my chest. “I’ll teach you, baby. Just please do this for me.”

“Okay,” was her muffled reply.

“Thank you,” I whispered into her hair. “I love you. Love you so much.”

* * *

Chunky Monkey. I’d never tried it before, but Ben & Jerry sure knew how to blend some damn fine ice cream. And my Maddie sure knew how to de-escalate a situation. I grinned in the darkness as I looked down at her, sleeping in my arms.

Carefully, I untangled myself from our embrace so I could go out to the living room, taking my cell phone with me.

“Beau?” she asked before I got to the bedroom door.

“Just getting some water.”

“’kay.” I watched as she rolled over, then went out the door and shut it.

It was still fairly early. Only nine-thirty. Chunky Monkey had worn Maddie out. I would have been out cold, too, if that nasty piece of work hadn’t been lurking in the back of my mind. It was funny that even though I had just visited Roan, and he was part owner of Onyx security, my first inclination was to call my brother.

“Yeah, Beau, what’s up?” Kai answered.

“I hope I’m not calling too late.”

“If it was too late, I still would have answered. Do you want to chat, or is this about something in particular?”

I smiled at Kai’s answer. I felt the exact same way. Now that I had him in my life, I was going to hold on with both hands.

“It’s about something. Remember that domestic dispute where Maddie went inside, looking for the kid?”

“How could I forget? The motherfucker was coming at Maddie with a frying pan, right?”

“Yeah. Well, he made bail. Maddie’s positive he won’t bother her.”

“But you want to make sure.”

“Brother, it’s almost like you can read my mind,” I laughed.

“What’s his name? What was the address where he was arrested? You get me that and I’ll give you everything you need to know by the end of day tomorrow.”

“I appreciate it.” I rattled off Bruce’s last name and the address.

“So, you and Maddie?” Kai asked.

“Yeah, we’re solid.”

“Have you figured out your future?”