Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 103231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
“It’s Magneto!” Matty cried out happily as soon as enough of the paper had been cleared away to see the doll.
Pleasure went through me at the pure joy I saw in his gaze as he lovingly clutched the box to his chest. “I heard you really wanted him to add to your collection.”
Matty nodded and said, “Thank you,” as he threw his arms around me for a brief moment. I’d actually heard him talking about the doll in the final weeks he’d been in the hospital, but I’d lucked out when I’d asked Hawke if anyone had gotten it for the little boy yet. Besides the doll, I wouldn’t have had a clue what to get Matty, since I had no doubt he had an endless supply of superhero toys.
Matty began tearing at the housing holding the doll in place so I carefully took the package from him, not wanting him to rip his skin on the thick plastic. As I worked it open, I asked, “Why’d you want him? Isn’t Magneto the bad guy?”
“Nah,” Matty responded as he cleared off a chunk of tape and newspaper. “He’s really a good guy, but sometimes he just does bad things.”
I stilled at that as my insides clenched up tight. I pushed back the insane need to ask the little boy if he really believed that…if he could ever look at someone who’d had a lifetime of bad choices under their belt and still see a hero. My skin felt itchy and the need to escape suddenly overwhelmed me as I glanced up at Magnus. Just like at the wedding, he was watching me with a mix of curiosity and confusion and I quickly dropped my eyes and finished working the doll free, handing it to the excited little boy.
“Thank you,” Matty said and then his arms were around me again, a surprising amount of strength in his limbs as he pressed himself against my waist. I tentatively put my arms around him to return the embrace. Pain slammed into my entire body as I remembered another little boy who’d hugged like this…with everything he was. I felt tears sting the backs of my eyes as I was transported to the past and I automatically dropped my mouth to kiss the boy’s head like I always did, but reality hit me hard when there was no lush dark hair to greet me and there was no whispered “Meu melhor...”
My best...
I couldn’t stop myself from looking up when I felt that familiar tingle all over my body and sure enough, Magnus’s gaze was on me and not his grandson. I shook myself free of the past and forced a smirk to my lips that I knew would get us back on even footing and was rewarded with those sharp eyes going hard with irritation. I forced myself to release Matty as well as the past and said, “Have a good time at Disney World” to the child as I stood up. There wasn’t even a shard of pleasure as I shot Magnus a grin and said, “See you soon, Pop-pop,” before turning my back on him and heading for the door. I could feel his gaze burning into my back as I left and that was the only thing that kept my stride slow and even, though all I really wanted to do was get the fuck out of there.
I wanted a drink.
I wanted a fuck.
I wanted another chance…
I shook my head as I closed the door behind me. It didn’t matter what the fuck I wanted. What I had was a job to do.
With that thought finally calming the noise in my head, I headed for the huge black pick-up truck at the end of the block. I hadn’t acknowledged Cain as I’d parked my car in front of his and it wasn’t necessary for me to even interact with the guy, but my conscience wouldn’t let me ignore him and just watch him drive off so he could get some sleep before relieving me in twelve hours.
There was only a small amount of light coming from a street lamp on the other side of the street and a good hundred feet away, so it was nearly impossible to make out the man’s expression as he rolled down his tinted window. The interior of the truck was pitch black and my guess was Cain had dimmed the light on purpose so he wouldn’t be as noticeable to a passerby. But I didn’t need to see him to know what I’d find. Gorgeous pale blue eyes that looked almost silver under the right light, built body, styled blond hair that never had even a lock out of place, wide, firm lips that were in a perpetual frown…
I had no idea which way Cain swung, but I’d never even been tempted to find out because I got the clear message from the guy and I doubted it had anything to do with my gender.