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“You got toys?”

Elena cackled the cutest laugh. “Of course, I have toys, you silly boy. Just for you. When are you going to come visit me so you can see for yourself?”

With that, she shot an accusatory glare at Brinley.

Brinley raised her hands in surrender. “Don’t blame me. Talk to your overbearing brother about that.”

Elena puffed out an affectionate sound. “I doubt I’d be able to talk any sense into him. Not into any of them.”

She raised her voice with that and shot me an accusatory glare that still managed to drip with affection.

My spirit clutched in a violent thrashing of greed.

“I guess we can’t blame them too much,” Brinley said.

Elena grimaced with a tiny waft of worry as she turned back to Brinley and mumbled, “I guess we can’t, can we?”

The screen door clattered open behind them, and Meems came shuffling out, her gait slowed by her bad hip.

My own affection buzzed and burned. The sting of a bee drenched in honey.

She’d been my haven, too. Hope when I had none of it.

She gave Elena a squeeze, then her knowing gaze fastened on me.

I hadn’t seen her this morning when I’d come to take Elena back to her apartment.

“Trevan Niles. Get your butt up here and give me a hug.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I hightailed it up the steps and moved in to give her a soft hug.

Hers wasn’t so soft. It was strong and emphasized.

“Glad to know you all got home safe this morning.”

“We wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Concern poured out with her huff. “I know.”

Then she flinched and lowered her voice. “And this nonsense going on at Elena’s apartment.”

She gulped. “Thank you for being there. For taking care of her. I sure hope you’re doing it right.”

I wasn’t certain exactly what she meant by that because there was an undercut to her tone.

Something seeded in it that I couldn’t fully make out.

“You know I am.”

“Mmhmm…I imagine you’re the only one who can.”

Discomfort barreled through me, and I peeled myself away, though I pasted a big grin onto my face. “You know whatever job I’m given, I’m going to see it through.”

Maybe saying it was just a reminder to myself to remember what that entailed.

Protecting Elena from all the vile bastards in the world.