Page 152 of Contentious

“Sorry to do that to you, pumpkin.”

She smiled at his old nickname for her. “It’s not your fault. Thank goodness you’re all safe.”

“Could you find me some Advil? Like, four of them would be good. There’s some in one of the kitchen cabinets.”

“Coming right up.” She leaned in to kiss his cheek. “Thanks for not dying on us, but enough of this stuff, you hear?”

“I hear you.”

Kaidan returned with the pills and a tall glass of ice water.

“Thanks.”

“How bad was it?”

“Pretty hairy for a time, but we survived. That’s all that matters.”

“We’re very thankful that you survived.”

Kate came into the room, carrying a tray with pasta and sauce, salad and bread.

“That smells great, Mom. Thank you. Will someone check on Cresley? I’m sure she’s starving, too.”

“I’ll go find her,” Kaidan said. “Be right back.”

* * *

Cresley sat on the edge of the king-sized bed, stroking Ty’s hair and watching him sleep while Julian stood next to her. “I’m afraid to let him out of my sight.”

“I understand, but the threat has been contained. Marlon is locked up where he belongs, and you can breathe easier.”

“I know that, but I can’t seem to get my nervous system to accept the news.”

“You will. In time.”

“Hey, guys,” Kaidan said from the doorway. “Carson’s asking for Cresley.”

“It’s safe to leave Ty to sleep,” Julian said.

“What if he wakes up and doesn’t know where he is?”

“We’ll check on him,” Kaidan said. “Come have something to eat.”

“I’m not sure I could but thank you all for your kindness.”

Julian held out a hand that Cresley gratefully took. He helped her up and guided her to the doorway, where she stopped to look back at her sleeping child. Would the events of this day change who he was? God, she hoped not, because he was absolutely perfect. He’d have questions, and she’d give him honest answers and get him into therapy. She’d do whatever it took to guide him through this.

Hearing that Carson was asking for her was the only thing that could’ve gotten her to leave Ty’s side, but with the others willing to check on him, she felt okay about going downstairs.

Julian deposited her on the sofa next to Carson, who reached out to her.

She grasped his hand and met his gaze, offering a wan smile.

“You want to eat something?” he asked.

“I could try.”

She’d no sooner said those words than Kate appeared with a tray for her, complete with a glass of wine. “I wasn’t sure what you like to drink,” Kate said with a warm smile.