Page 36 of False Start

That made my stomach lurch.

Then, I watched my son’s eyes find Kyle, who winked at him and offered an, “I got this” smile. Sebastian beamed up at him in return, and then he handed me his bag of rocks.

“Okay, Mommy,” he said, and then he took off in a sprint toward the bars.

My eyes found Kyle’s.

No fighting, I hoped that gaze said.

But I was pretty sure there was a silentthank youin there, too.

Marshall took a big step toward me, calling my attention. “Who do you think you are, introducing our son to some random man without asking me first?”

“I’m pretty sure she doesn’t have to get permission from you for a damn thing,” Kyle said.

“She does when it comes to our son,” Marshall shot back at him.

“He’s a friend,” I said. “And that’s how he was introduced to Sebastian, too. You’ve introduced him to plenty of yourfriends,” I reminded him pointedly. “So, I’m sure you can understand that this isn’t an issue.”

Marshall fumed, his hands rolling into fists.

Because that little comment confirmed just whatfriendsmeant.

I could see it from how red his face was that Marshall never thought he’d see the day I had big enough balls to date again. And it didn’t matter that this was all fake.

The satisfaction of seeing him spiral out of control was very, very real.

“You have no right,” he started, pointing his finger at me as he took another step. But that step must have brought him too close to me for Kyle’s comfort, because he clapped a hand hard on Marshall’s shoulder to stop him.

“Come on, buddy,” he said like he was talking to a kid. “Let’s take a walk.”

He didn’t give Marshall a choice. His grip was so firm, Marshall turned against his will and walked a few steps away before he shrugged Kyle’s hand off him.

My heart was in my throat as I watched them, trying to read lips all while also keeping an eye on Sebastian to make sure he was okay. Fortunately, he was playing with another kid on the playground, seemingly oblivious to what was occurring over here.

I let my gaze slide back to the men, and my stomach coiled into a tight knot.

Kyle towered over Marshall, his stance tall and confident as he listened to Marshall spew whatever vitriol he was so happy to let loose. Where Marshall was animated, Kyle stood completely still and unaffected, like a grown man listening to a child throw a tantrum.

But I didn’t miss the subtle ways hewasreacting.

I saw how his muscles were tense — from his shoulders to his fingertips. I saw how his nose subtly flared, how his jaw flexed, his breaths leaving him in slow, controlled waves.

If I hadn’t asked him to play nice, I had a feeling my ex-husband would already be laid out on the ground.

I couldn’t explain why that made me want to melt into a puddle, and also climb Kyle like a tree all at once.

I shook off the thought, internally cursing myself just as I watched Kyle take one meaningful step into Marshall’s space.

I couldn’t make out what he was saying at first, but when Marshall tried to interrupt, Kyle raised his voice just enough for me to hear him.

“Theonlyreason I’m letting you live is because I care enough about that woman to do what she asks me to,” he said, and when his finger pointed right at me, I felt it like a bolt of lightning to the heart. “But slip up evenonetime,” he continued, shaking his head as a damn near evil smile spread on his stupidly handsome face. “And I will risk it all. Understand? I will risk itall.”

It was a subtle threat, but a poignant one.

Those words said he would protect me, even if it meant risking me being upset with him.

It said he would risk his career, risk jail time…