Page 82 of Captive Audience

“So…they’re the good guys?”

He scoffed. “I wouldn’t exactly call them that.”

“Any chance I could interview them for the podcast?”

Rook pointed at me. “Absolutely the fuck not.”

“Why? Are they hot?”

He recoiled like I’d slapped him. “They’re blokes, Asha. How would I know?”

“I bet they’re hot. Badasses in military fatigues? Yum.”

Rook’s horrified expression told me my ribbing was hitting a sore spot with precision.

“If they show up, I’m definitely accosting one for an interview.”

“If they show up, I’ll lock you somewhere safe.” He cut the air with a slash of his hand. “End of story.”

I made a face and poked my tongue out.

In the corner of the living room, Niall Jr. bashed a plastic mallet onto the keys of a toy piano while chewing on a building block.

Rook frowned. “Should he be doing that?”

“Kids make noise, gangster. It’s pretty normal.”

“No, I mean chewing on the plastic block. It could contain carcinogens. And what if he chokes on it?”

“It’s the size of his fist. How’s he going to choke on it?”

He gave me a look that said he wasn’t convinced the threat had been eliminated.

“Geez, relax, helicopter uncle. Niall’s fine.”

Rook’s protective instincts were dialed so high that poor Niall wouldn’t be able to take a step without his uncle taping foam on every corner and covering the floor with mattresses.

This wasn’t caution.

It was grief.

Rook had lost everyone. Of course he’d hover over his newfound family. He was probably terrified of losing someone close to him all over again. I wasn’t sure his battered heart could take any more pain.

“Hey.” I touched Rook’s arm, and his gaze met mine. “They’re coming with us so you can keep them safe. Okay? Nothing bad is going to happen.”

He nodded, lips set in a grim line. Then his expression softened, and his brow pinched. “I have a nephew.”

I smiled. “You do.”

“And a sister-in-law. Sort of.”

“It must’ve come as quite a shock. How are you handling this?”

“One step at a time.” A rush of air left him, and he dragged his fingers through his hair. “Niall never breathed a word of this to me.”

“He loved Catalina and didn’t want to put her and their unborn child at risk, even if it meant keeping a secret from you.”

“He could’ve trusted me.”