Total pages in book: 215
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
“What? Woody isn’t an animal,” Brody said.
“Sure, it is.” She bounced on her toes in excitement. “Woody Woodpecker!” Laughter bubbled out of her as Brody groaned.
“No. Just no. Fox, please tell her she’s not calling any child of ours Woody.”
Maybe it was silly to joke around right now, but she had to do something to lighten things up. Her heart couldn’t take much more of this.
“We won’t be having children,” the Fox said.
Did he? Did he just say that?
“We won’t?” she whispered.
He didn’t look up at her, and her gaze met Brody’s concerned one.
“I made sure I couldn’t have children a long time ago. Can’t be passing on these genes.”
Oh.
Oh, her poor Daddy.
“It doesn’t matter,” she whispered. “I was just joking around at a really inappropriate time. That seems to be my superpower. I should get it on a T-shirt.”
“Tutu,” Brody said soothingly.
“It really doesn’t worry me, because all I need is the two of you.” And she meant that.
“Same,” Brody said.
She smiled at him. The Fox didn’t say anything more for a moment. And she wondered if he’d even heard them.
“I wouldn’t be able to keep them safe. I have enemies. I don’t even know if I can keep the two of you safe.”
She froze for a moment. “Of course, you can. We’re safe now.”
He shook his head. “I could have been too late.”
“You weren’t too late,” Brody said. “We’re here. We’re safe.”
“Not then. Before. With him.”
The way he said that told her who he was talking about.
“Too late with the senator?” she whispered. She hated talking about this, thinking of it. Because she wanted to pretend it had never happened. But maybe she’d been selfish, thinking only of herself.
She took a deep breath.
“Yes. If I’d been later, then you might be dead. I was glad I’d gotten there when I did.”
“I’m glad you did too.” She was confused. He was making it sound like a bad thing.
“But I didn’t get there early enough to save you.”
Oh. Oh, her poor Daddy Fox. She tried to wiggle free. To crouch down so she could hug him properly, but he wouldn’t let go. However, Brody hugged him tighter, burying his face in the Fox’s back.
“You got there right when I needed you,” she whispered.
“No. No. He abused you, and I could have saved you from that.”
She swallowed heavily. He’d known she’d been touched by the senator. Beaten and abused. But now it seemed to really be hitting him.
“I killed him too quickly. And those other fucking assholes. They should have suffered. I could have kept him alive for years. Killing him bit by bit. I could have.”
“But that might have killed a part of you,” she told him. “And I wouldn’t want that. I don’t want a single piece of your soul darkened because of him, you hear me? And I don’t want you to ever feel guilt over something he did.”
Suddenly, he lifted her top and laid a kiss on her belly. “
“You got there in time. Before he raped and killed me. It’s hard for me to talk about it. I was taught to keep quiet, to not rock the boat or I’d be punished. I might never be who I was before. But who I am now isn’t a bad thing, right?”
“Of course not,” Brody said fiercely.
“Who you are now is perfect,” the Fox said simply.
“You saved me, Fox. And you’ve kept me safe. Brody and I are safe because of you.”
“You’re also in danger because of me.” He leaned back to look up at her.
“Don’t you know that we think you’re worth any risks?” Brody said.
She smiled at Brody, aware that there were tears running down her cheeks. “Sometimes you know just what to say.”
Brody grinned back.
“I was going to tell him that he’s stuck with us, so he better deal with it. But that was much sweeter.”
Brody let out a bark of laughter. “They both work.”
“The two of you are insane to want to be with me.”
“I think we’d be insane not to want to be with you,” she countered.
“Darn right,” Brody added.
“Although I wouldn’t complain if I was suddenly in the middle of a cuddle sandwich. Actually, I could really use that.”
“Brody,” he said, commandingly.
Brody drew back, and the Fox spun her around then lifted her, pulling her onto his lap. He held her with her back against his chest. Brody moved between her legs, leaning into her with his arms around the Fox’s neck. She was pressed between them.
“I love you, Brody-bear,” Autumn said.
“Love you, Tutu.” Brody kissed her.
She turned to look at the Fox. “I love you, Foxy.”
He stared down at her. “Really?”
“Really,” she told him. It hurt how shocked he looked.
Brody cleared his throat, staring up “I love you too, Fox.”
“Both of you really love me?” he asked hoarsely.
“Yes,” they said together.
Something like relief filled his face.