“Any news from Abel?” Charlotte asked, entering her husband’s office. Since Landon had nearly gotten expelled from school, Maddox had been spending more time at home, taking over with dealing with Landon. It had been over a month since the boarding school threat, and so far, it seemed to have helped.
“They’re coming back home tomorrow.”
“Does he sound happy?” she asked. She didn’t agree with the lies her son was spinning to the girl. Harper had a right to know what she was getting in to.
“Yeah, of course he does.”
“Has he told her?”
“No. I’ve got a feeling he’s not going to either.”
“This is going to blow up in his face,” Charlotte said, taking a seat on the sofa. She watched her husband, the man that had put her through so much and she still loved with all of her heart, walk toward her. He took a seat on the sofa. She noticed that lately he looked tired more often.
“Yes, it will blow up in his face. Even as a young boy, Abel was stubborn. He always thought he could get away with everything. He couldn’t.”
“No, he really couldn’t. This isn’t about fighting, or climbing trees and not being able to get down. This is a young girl who doesn’t even know what she wants to become, Maddox.”
He sighed. “I know. It reminds me of us.”
“Which is what scares me. If he’s not careful, she will run, and he’s stubborn enough that he’ll hurt her in the process of getting her back.” Charlotte rested her head against his shoulder. “Do you think Gideon has found the one?” she asked.
“No. Gideon’s just out having fun, and fucking about. The woman he’s spending time with eases him, but she’s not the one.”
“Is it wrong that I worry not only for my sons but for the women they touch?” She didn’t mean a physical touch.
“I know. We have seen what damage can be done when you make yourself love someone, and then find the one for you.” His own brother was one of them.
Rubbing at his eyes, he kissed the top of her head. These were all worries he wished he didn’t have to think about. The Denton legacy meant he had no choice. He was the oldest son, and one day Jacob would take over.
“Do you know what is worse?” Charlotte asked.
“What?”
“I feel for Tamsin. She’s never going to know what she is missing. She’ll never feel what you feel, or what I do.”
“Maybe there will be a man out there for her,” he said, hating it. Tamsin was his baby girl. No man would ever be good enough for her.
“Thank you for being understanding.”
The hand on his chest moved down, and Maddox smiled. It had been too long since they were together, and with his door shut, and Tamsin in bed, now was a good time to remind his wife how much she aroused him.
Chapter Nine
One month later
“You’re in a good mood,” Jacob said.
Abel glanced over at his brother, and smiled. “Harper’s going to be waiting for me when I get back home.”
“Does she still go back to the apartment she shares with her friends?”
“Yep. During the week when she has classes. Sometimes she comes back to my place though.”
“I don’t know how you do it.”
“Do what?”
“Let her stay away from you. I couldn’t live without Lou.”