Page 23 of A Little Christmas Wish

After unlocking the door, he guided her in and shut the door behind them.

“Ink? You’re starting to worry me.”

He headed to the bed and sat, pulling her between his open legs.

“I’m going to take care of this, okay? There’s nothing to be worried about.”

“Then just tell me.”

He sighed and explained everything that had happened. God, he hated seeing the worry on her face.

“Oh God. He could be coming for her. How would he know where she is, though?”

Lifting her, he placed her on his lap so her legs straddled his. “Listen to me. Nothing is going to happen to Zippy. Or to you.”

“I’m not worried about me!”

Well, he was. But then he was always worried about all of them. All the time.

But that was his job as the head of this small household.

Their protection rested on his shoulders.

“We don’t know that he’s coming for Zippy. There could be another reason he’s disappeared.”

“But you’re concerned.”

“I’m cautious,” he corrected.

“What shall we do?”

He brushed her hair back off her face. “We just need to be careful. I don’t want you going anywhere by yourself anymore. All right?”

“But this is about Zippy!” she cried.

“This is about the two of you,” he told her. “About keeping everyone safe. I’m going to talk to the school. It’s secure there or I wouldn’t let Zippy go there. But I think it would be better if I took her and picked her up or you had someone with you when you did that.”

“Will you tell her?” she asked.

“I don’t think it’s wise. I don’t want to scare her. Perhaps we can say that I’m worried about you driving with the changes in the weather.”

“I guess so.”

“The boys want to stay home and look after you both,” he told her. Mostly as a distraction.

She sat up straight, looking fierce. “Oh no, they aren’t!”

“Don’t worry, I told them that. It’s going to be okay, baby. I’ll take care of everything. I’m going to get Brody to see if he can track him through his bank account. We’ll find him. He won’t get near Zippy or you.”

“All right.” She slumped in against him and he squeezed her tight. “And I’ll check what’s going on with Baron and this car.”

“Dear. Lord.”

“Now, I just have one more question for you.”

“What is it?” She drew back so she could see his face.

“Were you texting while driving?”

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