Page 179 of Cold As Ice

“You’re sure? We can stay—”

“We should give them some space, Cara, love.” Mr. Reynolds settled his gaze on me. “Austin here can handle it. Can’t you, son?”

“I think so, sir.”

He gave me a reassuring nod and I felt like I’d passed some kind of test.

“Okay. But if you need anything, you can call. We’ll wait up—”

“Mom, you don’t have to do that. We’ll be fine. Once we get Imogen into bed, we’ll probably call it a night too.”

Mrs. Reynolds looked less than pleased at the idea of me sleeping over. But I really didn’t give a fuck.

I needed to hold Madison in my arms tonight. To know that she was safe.

That nothing could hurt them.

“Take her for me for a second.” Madison scooched Imogen onto my lap and got up to see her parents out.

I stroked her hair, my hands still shaking as I tried to process the last few hours.

When she came back, she gave me a weary smile but I saw the fear still in her eyes. “I can’t believe that happened.”

“You’re okay now. Everything’s going to be okay.” I reached for hand and pulled her down beside me, wrapping my arm around her.

“If you hadn’t come—” Sobs overtook her again as she cried into my chest.

“Shh, babe. It’s okay. You’re both okay.” I kissed her head, wishing more than anything that I could take it all away from her.

But I couldn’t.

All I could do was be there for her. For them both.

“I was so scared, Austin. When I went outside and saw Julian, I didn’t understand. And then Warren stepped out of the shadows, holding a knife. I… I didn’t know what to do.”

I inhaled slowly, trying to get a hold of the violent emotions raging inside me.

“Austin?”

“I’m okay,” I forced out, but Madison sat up, sliding her hands along my jaw.

“I told you I come with all kinds of baggage.”

“Yeah, don’t give a fuck,” I murmured.

“Because you love me. Us…You love us.”

“Yeah, I do, pretty girl. I love you so fucking much.”

“I love you too. We both do. I don’t care what my parents or Jacqui and Ken think. What we have, the way you make me feel, it’s real.” She leaned in, touching her forehead to mine. “It’s real, Austin.”

“I love you.”

“I loves you too,” a little voice said, and Imogen wriggled in my arms, climbing up my chest to wedge herself in between us.

“You were supposed to be sleeping.”

“I was Mommy. I was dreaming abouts the brave prince who saved me.”

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