Page 55 of His to Save

“Shit!” I growl, cutting my eyes at the rude-as-hell blonde darkening our doorway before rushing over to Nora. “It’s okay, Pip. You’re safe. It’s just Scarlet.”

She’s shaking like a leaf but doesn’t object when I wrap my arms around her, sliding her onto my lap.

“Listen to my heartbeat,” I whisper to her, brushing her hair off her forehead. “You’re here with me, and you’re safe.”

“I’m sorry.” Scarlet sighs. “I wasn’t thinking.”

Ellis snorts. “You rarely do.”

“Why are you here, Scar?” I ask, still rubbing soothing circles over Nora’s back.

“I brought pizzas!” she says, as if that explains her presence inside of our home, uninvited.

Nora sniffles against my chest. “P-pizza?” she asks, pulling back from me and sniffing the air. “What kind?”

“Um, one pepperoni, one cheese, and one supreme.”

Nora whimpers, and I want nothing more than to march Scarlet right back out the way she came in, but I’m not willing to let go of the woman on my lap to do it.

“I haven’t had pizza in…” Nora glances up at me, her eyes wet and cheeks pink. “Years. It’s been years.” She sniffs the air again and shudders against me. “It smellssogood.”

“Then let’s eat,” Scarlet chirps, knowing she’s off the hook.

Ellis tips his chin my way before following Scarlet into the kitchen, leaving me to make sure Nora’s truly okay.

“You good?” I ask once it’s just the two of us.

She tries to smile, but it comes off as more of a grimace. “Just embarrassed.”

“Don’t be.” I slide her off of my lap so I can stand and help her up. “Scarlet should know better than to bust into someone’s house without being invited. This is on her, Pip, not you.”

“If you say so.” It’s clear she doesn’t believe me, but I meant every word. Scarlet should know better than to just let herself into someone’s house. Things were different when we were together, but we aren’t now, and she damn sure needs to remember it.

“I do.” I grab her hand and tug her into my side. “Now let’s go grab some slices before those two eat them all.”

The sound of Ellis and Scarlet bickering greet us as we make our way into the kitchen.

Just like the last time we stumbled upon the two of them going at it, we pause to listen.

“You want my mother’s number?” Scarlet asks incredulously. Her back is to us, but I’d bet my entire paycheck that her eyes are narrowed into thin slits and her cheeks are every bit as red as her name implies.

“I do.” Ellis is one hundred percent the calm to her storm, as he props one elbow on the island.

“Why?” The word sounds more like a snarl.

“I’d like to have a chat with her about your upbringing. Give her some feedback on the areas she failed you.” He shrugs, looking her up and down. “I’m sure she did her best, given your natural predisposition.”

“I swear to God,” she growls. “You insufferable, pig-headed?—”

“Yeah, no.” He cuts her off. “You don’t get to insult me in my own home, especially when you’re not even an invited guest.”

“Should we put a stop to this?” Nora asks, worrying the hem of her shirt between her fingers.

“Probably.” I sigh and slide my palm against hers, interlocking our fingers. “C’mon, Pip, let’s go settle the kids.”

She gives me a goofy grin as we walk into the warzone formerly known as our kitchen.

“Sit by me,” Scarlet says to Nora, suddenly calm and smiling. The girl’s moods flip faster than a fair ride.

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