Page 23 of By The Book
“You need to keep an eye on your boy.”
She didn’t like the sound of that. “Why do you say that?”
“Denz had a chat with Tommy earlier.”
Claire cringed, the statement confirming her earlier fears that Denz had indeed noticed the bruises forming and had guessed as to the origin. “Do you, uh, know what it was about?”
“Denz wouldn’t say. But if you want my advice, you need to get the boy in hand now before it’s too late. He’s got a lot of growing and learning to do still, and if a man like Denz is pinning the boy against the wall, Tommy’s in for a world of trouble.”
Pinning him against the wall?“I’ll take care of it.” Oh, would she ever take care of it. No one was going to lay a finger on her son without suffering the consequences.
“Denz has been working ever since you two got back from the beach. You want to help?” her father asked. “Go ask him what he wants on his sandwich. If he’s going to play handyman, the least I can do is feed him.”
She grabbed on to the excuse with both hands and headed for the door, anger fueling her steps. “My pleasure.”
Chapter 11
Claire stalked by Tommy without comment and continued on. Denz was nowhere in sight. No longer working on the stairs, nor searching for tools in the garage beneath.
She took a fortifying breath and eyed the apartment door before jogging up the treads, too angry to appreciate the fact they no longer shook.
The door opened just as she reached the top and she pushed her way inside.
“Uh, come in.”
“Close the door.”
A soft click sounded behind her.
Claire stalked across the small living area, her anger making her entire body tremble. “Did you put your hands on my son?”
“Claire—”
“Answer me.”
“You already know I did or you wouldn’t be asking the question,” he said, leaning back against the wooden panel and crossing his arms over his chest.
“How dare you? What right do you have to touch him? You’re a grown man!”
“Why are you wearing long sleeves?”
“What?”
“It’s eighty-five outside and you’re in long sleeves. How come?”
“We are discussing you bullying a thirteen-year-old child, not my wardrobe.”
“Thatchildis the size of a grown man, and he wasn’t afraid to use his strength or his anger against his own mother.”
Blasted by truth, she turned away from him and stalked as far as she was able before whirling around again. “What did you say to him? What did you do?”
Denz lowered his arms and walked toward the couch. “I made it clear he’d better not do it again.”
Claire watched as he donned the sling, wincing as he fit the strap over his head. “You’re never going to heal if you keep hurting yourself and working like that.”
A small smile stole over his handsome face and he met her gaze.
“I thought you were angry with me.”
