Page 121 of Wicked Refusal

And it’s his mother’s job to protect him from that.

“You’re not going anywhere.” I pull him to me and hug him tight. “It’s a promise.”

“Even if you’re going to have another baby?” he sniffles.

“It doesn’t matter if I have a thousand other babies.” I kiss his forehead. “You’re mine, too. That is never going to change.”

“What if the baby doesn’t like me?”

“Are you kidding? She’s going to love you.”

As if on cue, the baby kicks.

Eli startles, surprised. “Was that her?”

“Yep.” I ruffle his hair. “She’s telling you she can’t wait to meet you. And I just know you’re going to be best friends.”

Slowly, his breathing seems to ease. “I wanna meet her, too,” he says. “And… I want to protect her. From Dad.”

My eyes grow wet. He has no idea that his little sister won’t have to fear Brad, because she’s not his. He’s too small to understand things like that. All he knows is that Brad is dangerous to him—which makes him dangerous to the baby, too.

“I can teach you, if you want.”

Suddenly, I realize Nikita is in the doorway.

“Sorry,” she winces. “Came to check that everything was okay, but didn’t want to intrude.”

“It’s fine.” I find myself smiling a little. She’s basically our guardian angel these days, but she can be so awkward, too. “What did you mean, teach him?”

“Ever heard ofsystema?” She cracks her knuckles. “It’s a Russian martial art. Perfect for self-defense—and the defense of others. It’s what I use to fight.”

At that, Eli jumps up. “I can learn to fight like you?!”

“Sure thing.”

“But…” His face dims a little. “But I’m… different.”

“Not from me.” She shakes a bottle of pills: Ritalin. “We’re both on the same candies, remember? Anything I can do, you can do.”

“Really?”

“Really really.”

It’s a little oversimplified, but I get the feeling it’s exactly what Eli needs to hear. After Brad tore his self-esteem to shreds like that, he needs all the help he can get. A little extra courage can’t hurt.

“If it’s okay with your mom,” Nikita adds.

I laugh and wipe my eyes. “Is it safe?”

“Oh, totally. We won’t be breaking boards until the end of the first year.”

Eli’s eyes go wide. “I’m going to break a board?!”

“With your bare hands, little man.”

She winks at me. I doubt Russian martial arts include board-breaking, but I stay silent. Eli seems excited at the prospect, and I’m sure Nikita can find something kid-appropriate for him to snap in half.

He looks so happy right now.