18. Huntley
Chapter Eighteen
HUNTLEY
Sleep wouldn’t come.
I lay on River’s couch, a fucking load of emotions running wild through me.
Hearing the scream earlier on the phone and not knowing what was happening, even if for only those few minutes it took Bronson to get there, had me going out of my mind.
Seeing River and the kids when I arrived settled me a fraction, but as soon as Bre told me about what she’d see outside her window, adamant that it was a man based on the build, I was struggling to control the rage and worry.
I’d all but barked out orders to Bronson about installing a new security system and cameras like they had at their place. A nice set up that had gone in when someone had broken into Lake’s place when just her and Stormi lived there. And then I all but demanded it happen the next day.
To my relief, he didn’t argue and one call to Lyric, followed by Braxton, the plan was in motion for the next day.
But even one night of leaving them alone wasn’t happening and after Bronson, Lake, and Stormi headed home, I’d asked for a blanket with a plan to sleep in my truck .
River shocked me when she said she wouldn’t have me sleeping in my vehicle and asked if I’d stay on her couch. With Lennon and Bre in agreement, that’s where I found myself, time drifting by and my mind racing, unable to get any shut eye.
Hearing light footsteps coming from the hall, I realized I wasn’t alone any longer. And then I heard River’s soft, sweet voice as she got closer.
“Are you asleep?”
I sat up slowly, not wanting to scare her. “Nope, wide awake.”
She moved to stand in front of me, only the dim overhead-light on the microwave in the kitchen giving off a small glow through the open floor plan, but enough I could see the unsure look on her face.
“What is it, sweetheart?”
River pulled in a breath and slowly let it out. Then as quiet as a church mouse, she asked, “Can I please sit with you?”
I moved the blanket to my right and patted the space on my left. “Yeah, of course you can.”
She hesitantly moved to the couch and positioned herself next to me. I let her figure out how close she wanted to be and was floored when she moved closer and rested her head against my shoulder.
“Is it okay if I put my arm around you?” I asked, wanting to make it more comfortable but not pushing her beyond anything she was okay with.
“Umm, sure.”
After raising my arm slowly, I put it around her; she turned slightly, tucked her legs up under her, and burrowed against me, her head now resting on my chest.
“Is this okay? ”
“It’s perfect,” I told her.
“Yeah,” she agreed breathlessly.
Lord, she felt good in my arms.
I knew without a doubt it was where she belonged.