Tough Love by David Horne

Author:David Horne [Horne, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-01-23T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Stevie and Christy still weren’t happy, but they packed a few things and were ready by the time Amber arrived. Christy clung onto Mark like she didn’t want to let go, her face buried into his shirt. Stevie just stood by looking sullen. Mark felt awful for both of them, but Jack was right. If whoever attacked him in the parking garage came after him and knew where he lived, they would be caught in the crossfire. And with Mark the way he was, he wouldn’t be able to protect them.

He hated feeling weak and useless. They deserved better.

Amber got there pretty quickly and the kids got into the car. Christy huddled up against her brother. Mark tried not to look. The two of them had never seen him like this before, and their homelife had been relatively calm aside from a few fights on Stevie’s side. This had to shake them up. He didn’t want to think what was going through their heads right now.

His mother squeezed Mark’s arm.

“They’ll be okay with me. I can take them to school on Monday, if you want.”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine by Sunday, Mom.” Mark hugged the older woman. “It’s just for tonight, unless Jack starts being regimental about it.”

“All right.” Amber drew back and glanced towards the car. “Christy’s scared. They both are.”

“I know. I’ll call them later.”

Amber nodded. She had sounded horrified when Mark told her what happened. It had been a few years since Mark had been attacked, but it hadn’t been as bad as this. Amber still worried over her eldest son, even though Mark could easily look after himself. But now he was beginning to realize that it didn’t matter how old the child was, the mother would always worry.

“You’ve done a good job with them, Mark.”

“Why are you saying that, Mom?”

“Because I can see the cogs whirling. You’re worried you’re doing something wrong.”

Mark sighed.

“I hate that you know what I’m thinking sometimes, Mom.”

“I know.” Amber cupped his jaw. “They’ll be okay, just as long as they know you’re going to be there for them. They’ve been through a lot and you’re a steady influence.”

“I know. And I will be.”

There was no way in hell that he was going anywhere. Mark stepped back as Amber got behind the wheel and backed her car down his driveway. He was glad to have a mother close by who would drop everything for him, within reason. It wasn’t just him that was a steady influence in Stevie and Christy’s lives.

And Amber wasn’t likely to get walloped over the head.

Mark watched the car disappear around the corner before going inside. He double locked the door and put the outside alarm on. Even then, he didn’t feel entirely safe, but the knowledge his foster kids were out of a potentially bad situation did make him feel a little better.

Which was more than could be said for his head. That still hurt like hell.

Pushing off the door, Mark went into the living room.

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