I blow out a breath and rub a hand along the back of my neck. That night was so long ago.
“She eventually dropped the charges,” I say, remembering how scared I was.
Lorelei was spiraling down a dark path. Not only was she pregnant with Henry, but I was scared she would end up getting full custody of the kids if I got convicted.
“You’re a better man than I,” Bo adds in a softer tone, cutting into my thoughts. “I would’ve killed her, and the asshole who hit my kid.”
Rage boils in my veins. “I wanted to. I still want to.”
“I know you do, but you can’t. Your kids have to come first. I get it. Now, about Nora.”
The mention of her name calms the fire burning inside of me. “What about her?”
“She’s like family to me. I’ll admit that when she told me she was moving out here, I was skeptical, which is why I wanted to come check the place out for myself.”
“I understand. Look around. Do whatever you need to do.”
“I will, thank you. But honestly, now that I’ve met you, I get it.”
“Get what?”
“Her reasons for moving in with a complete stranger.”
“I’m not a total stranger. I’ve known her brother for years.”
“You’re a stranger to her.”
“So what’s her reasoning?”
“You’re stable and protective—two things she’s never had in her life. She feels safe here.”
I don’t know what the hell to say to that.
“Don’t worry, she’s not in trouble or anything, and you don’t have to worry about the ex coming after her…at least I don’t think you do. And if he does, you can totally take his pansy ass.”
We laugh, and Bo continues.
“Nora has worked every minute of every day of her life since the age of ten. She needs to decompress, regroup, find herself, and make some serious decisions about her career, and she needs to do it in a nice, calm, safe environment.”
“You do realize I have three kids who don’t know the meaning of nice and calm, right?”
Bo smiles. “You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I think I do.”
“Promise me you won’t hurt her.”
“I won’t,” I declare. “I promise you she’s safe here.”
“Good, because I love that girl like she’s my daughter, and she needs some happiness in her life.”
I can do that.
Bo walks toward the stairs and then turns and looks at me. “Oh, I wanted to tell you she likes—”
I shake my head and raise a hand. “Don’t tell me what she likes. I’d rather figure it out on my own.”
“What are you two doing down there?” Nora says, poking her head out the door.