Page 21 of Monster

Kai didn’t need me to say anything as he laced his fingers together and hoisted me up.

I quickly climbed up, bracing myself for whatever I might find. There was a chance there was someone here who could do a lot of damage to me with a surprise attack.

But I wasn’t fucking easy to kill.

A scuffling came through the dark, then some movements.

It took a moment for me to make out the scene.

Two shadows sat huddled together in the corner.

One tiny shadow, and one not so tiny.

They flinched when I moved, and I doubted they were any match for me.

Slowly, I pulled out my phone and turned on the flashlight, pointing it at them.

I got a good look at two sets of wide eyes, one familiar one that sent relief straight to my heart, and one unfamiliar one—

The girl—woman, perhaps—jumped on me with a scream.

Jesus, fuck.

“Get away from us!” the little wildcat screamed.

I wrapped my arms around her flailing body and held her tightly against me. “I’m not gonna hurt you, girl, but you need to calm down before you hurt yourself.”

She struggled more in my grasp until a small voice spoke. “D-Dad?”

Fuck me, but it was so good to hear his voice. “Braxton.” I exhaled. “Are you hurt?”

He didn’t say anything for a moment. Then, “No.”

The girl was no longer moving, just breathing heavily against me. Slowly, I let her go, and she quickly backed off to the small corner, and the space she left was filled when Braxton jumped into my arms.

Fuck.

If I were an emotional man, I might have fucking broken down and cried.

I buried my face in my son’s neck and held him close as his tears wet my shirt.

Every single one was like a fucking whip to my skin.

“It’s okay, buddy. I got you,” I said to him. “I got you, and I won’t fucking let anyone hurt you, okay? You’re safe, I promise. Dad’s here, and you’re safe.”

He let out a small whimper that fucking killed me on the inside.

“T-they came after me. They were chasing me, and I didn’t know what to do,” he said into my chest.

My muscles tensed. “Who?” I asked quietly. My eyes moved over to the girl. It was too dark, but I was sure she hadn’t moved since Braxton jumped into my arms.

“I don’t know,” he said, his voice thick with tears. I closed my eyes. “They had a gun,” he added.

“It’s okay,” I said. “You’re safe now.”

I looked around the small deck.

I didn’t know how long they had been here or how this girl was involved, but I would find out soon.

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