Page 53 of Small Town Sizzle

“I’m sure he is,” I mumble. “Always seems to think if he goes away and comes back, I’ll forget his transgressions. That’s something that old me would do. I’m not that person anymore and haven’t been for a while.”

“You and the kids can stay with us. Laura is getting the guest room ready for you. Alex can sleep in Mason’s room, and Jaz with Chantelle.”

“I appreciate that, I really do, but we’ll be fine. The house has cameras and an alarm system. I am protected by Smith and Wesson as well.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t like that he showed up here when he knows damn well that he can’t be here.”

“He’s a cocky douchebag.” I shrug nonchalantly. “We’ll be fine, I promise.”

It’s not that I don’t take Devon seriously, because I do. I don’t trust that he’s just shown back up here not long after Greta dies. I don’t trust that he walked right into this building knowing he’s forbidden from being here or anywhere else that’s within five hundred feet of me or the kids. What I do trust is that I will protect us this time.

Ethan gives me a long look before his eyes flit to his brother.

“Garrett can stay at your house.”

I freeze for a moment, wondering with a jolt if everyone in town knows we slept together last night. I suck in a breath and then blow it out slowly.

That’s an irrational thought, Maya. Let it go. You’re tired and overwhelmed today; you’ve been through a lot in the last twenty-four hours. Let’s take a breather.

“I don’t need to be babysat.”

“It wouldn’t be babysitting, and I don’t mind,” Garret interjects as he comes up to us.

“No,” I say firmly. “A man at my house would only escalate things more.”

“Maya,” Ethan sighs. “You can’t…”

“Listen, I appreciate you guys, I really do. This isn’t my first rodeo, though; I can handle Devon Glasgow.”

“You don’t have to handle him on your own. There are laws and the police…” Garrett adds quickly.

I chuckle dryly before I shake my head. “No offense, but the laws tie the hands of the police nine times out of ten. Not to mention, a lot of police officers are burnt out and tired of trying to save people when, two weeks from now, they’ll be back in the same situation. I’ve seen it a thousand times. I can handle this, I don’t need anyone else getting involved.”

I witnessed it kill a mom and leave two babies orphaned today because the laws and systems failed her.

I turn back around and return to my daughter. Eventually, she calms down enough to sit up on her own, though she clings to George as if her life depends on it. I don’t let go of her hand, and when I finally look up, Garrett is still standing nearby, his eyes meet mine, searching.

“If you need anything…” He lets the sentence hang, not pushing, just offering.

I give a small nod.

“Alex, why don’t you take Jazlyn to the car?” I say, glancing at my nephew.

The cameras would have shown me if Devon was still hanging around outside. And he’s not. He got into a beat-up old truck and drove off. He’s real big on intimidation, and that’s all that was. He wants me to be scared, wants me to be on high alert, so that when he comes calling, I’ll mess up or beg him to stop and give in to him.

But I won’t.

He nods and helps Jaz to her feet, guiding her gently toward the door.

When they’re gone, the room feels unbearably quiet. Garrett doesn’t move, doesn’t speak.

I take a deep breath, turning to face him fully. “I’m sorry for snapping at you earlier. I just…” My voice falters.

He shakes his head. “You don’t have to explain.”

But I feel like I do. “Devon has a way of… bringing out the worst in me. I’ve worked so hard to keep him out of our lives, and when I saw Jaz crying…”

“I get it,” he says simply, his tone calm but firm.