Free Protecting My Hart (Protectors Series Book 1) by Danielle Wright Page A

makin’ pancakes.”
    “He is? Sounds super yummy.”
    “I hope you don’t mind, it’s what he said he wanted to eat, and I thought I’d help out.”
    “It’s fine, thank you. I appreciate it.” I offer him a smile, and I can see some of the tension around his eyes ease.
    “Hart, I didn’t mean to upset you earlier, I just...”
    “I know Slyde, really, it’s OK. Promise.”
    He gives me a slight nod and goes back to the pancakes while I set the table.
    Ethan continues to tell his stories to Slyde while we eat, and I watch quietly as Slyde gives Ethan his undivided attention. Slyde doesn’t look as if he is bored or annoyed, he looks as if he’s truly enjoying his conversation with my son. Damn it! Why does he have to be so amazing and give me another reason to fall deeper in love with him? Snapping myself out of my thoughts, I turn my full attention to my son who has just shoved a huge bite into his mouth, and I have to suppress a laugh.
    “Ethan, what do you want to do today after school? Momma gets to pick you up today.”
    “Really? Can we go to the park and play?”
    “Oh, I think we can manage that.” I smile widely at him, and my hearts melts when he smiles back.
    “Mr. Slyde! Do you wanna come to the park with us?” Ethan asks excitedly.
    “Honey, I think that Slyde is busy and probably needs to go home.” I tell him gently.
    “Oh OK.” He lowers his gaze to the table, looking disappointed and my heart breaks—I know how he feels.
    “Actually, little man, I was thinking that I’d hang out here today, and later I’d take you and your mom to my house and maybe tomorrow we can go to the park there.”
    Ethan’s eyes shoot back up to Slyde’s and mine do too as I just stare at him. What in the world is he talking about?
    “Like a sleepover?”
    “Yeah, buddy, like a sleepover only you would be staying a lot longer than just one night.”
    “ Cool! Momma, did you hear that?”
    “Yeah, baby, I did. Why don’t you go to your room and get dressed? I need to talk to Slyde.”
    “OK!” he states excitedly and runs down the hall to his room. My eyes fall back to Slyde’s who is watching me carefully. I just don’t even know what to say to him right now.
    “Hart.”
    “Why did you tell him that? About the sleepover?”
    “Because it’s true, it’s what’s going to happen.”
    “ Excuse me ? Don’t you think that maybe you should have discussed it with me first?”
    “No. We are going to pack up both yours and Ethan’s stuff, and tonight I’m taking you to my house.”
    I stare at him just completely dumbfounded that he is stating this as though it’s the most natural thing in the world. The love thoughts from earlier are no longer an issue! Does he really think he can just start making decisions for me without even talking to me first?
    “We’re not going with you. We can’t!”
    “Yes you can, and you will.”
    “No, Slyde, we aren’t. I don’t even know where you live! I’m not moving my son to a place I don’t know!”
    “I live in Briley, about fifteen minutes away. There, now you know where we are going.”
    “I can’t…no…you just…uuugh! I get it, you’re being a big, bad ass, macho guy right now. Listen, I’m grateful for your rescue last night and the comfort you gave me. I like that Ethan likes you, and it all seems surreal, you standing here before me, but you can’t just come in and take over my life Slyde! I have a job, Ethan has school. I need to work so I can pay my bills and take care of my son. You can’t just start making decisions for me, telling me what to do without talking to me about it. I will never be controlled like that again. I will decide what happens in my life. I don’t know what makes you think dictating my life is OK!”
    “I fuckin’ failed you, Hart. Five years ago, I failed you. I wasn’t there when you needed me most. I didn’t get you out of that house, and I made you run. You vanished, and for five years I’ve