It'll Be An Adventure (Masters of the Shadowlands #15)(72)
Author: Cherise Sinclair

 

“Hey, my sweet.” He bent to kiss her as if they’d been lovers forever, then went down on his haunches. Eyes narrowed, he scrutinized her, top to bottom. “You look better. How’s the pain?”

 

She huffed. “It’s down to just an uncomfortable aching now.”

 

“That’s good.”

 

Rainie appeared, holding hands with Jake, but laughed and disappeared to answer another peal of the doorbell.

 

A minute later, Farran appeared.

 

He gave Saxon a chin-lift greeting.

 

Murphy frowned. “Don’t you have classes?”

 

“I asked a buddy to take notes for the last one. I wasn’t sure if your friends would still be here to help you.” Farran tilted his head to one side. “Your color’s better, but you still look like you lost a prize fight.”

 

“She didn’t lose the fight, she won it—and saved a child in the process.” Sitting down beside her on the loveseat, Saxon smirked at her. “Wait until the bruises turn purple and green. You’ll be the most colorful person in the area.”

 

“Oh, thanks.”

 

Laughing, he drank some of her iced tea and handed her a cookie. “Honesty is important in a relationship.”

 

A relationship. Joy silenced any retort she could come up with. Then she realized the others were staring.

 

Rainie let out a happy, “Yes!”

 

Saxon shook his head. “Control your woman, bro.” And he winked at Murphy.

 

Grinning, Jake pulled Rainie down beside him on the loveseat and took a cookie. “I’ll beat on her later.”

 

Rainie rolled her eyes. “Promises, promises.”

 

Farran’s eyes widened.

 

Murphy blinked. “Ah, Rainie, Jake, this is my brother Farran. Farran, Jake is Saxon’s partner in the veterinary clinic. Rainie is the manager.”

 

Farran stared at Saxon. “You’re a veterinarian?”

 

“Mmmhmm. I—”

 

Sherlock’s bark interrupted him, and then Murphy’s father strolled out onto the patio. “Here you are, my girl. I’ve been calling and calling.”

 

“You have?” Gratification filled her. He’d been worried enough about her that he’d come to check on her? Maybe he did care.

 

Noticing Farran, her father nodded. “Son. Good to see you.” Without waiting for Farran’s response, Pa frowned at her. “You didn’t answer your phone.”

 

“Because I turned it off,” Saxon said under his breath.

 

Her amused snort made her father frown, and then her appearance apparently registered. “You look like hell. What happened?”

 

“I helped do search and rescue after the bridge collapse and had to—”

 

“I guess you got just what you deserved.” He made a scoffing sound. “Now maybe you’ll think twice before jumping in to rescue strangers. Talk about ill-conceived notions. Your time and energy should be used to help family.”

 

“But—”

 

His anger disappeared as if it had never been, reminding her how volatile his emotions could be. “Which is why, my darling child, your phone needs to stay on. I need to be able to reach you. At any time—because see, I needed you today.”

 

He used the full force of his most charming smile. “The maid quit without any notice at all. I need you to cover her hours until I can hire someone else.”

 

Her sense of gratification burned to cinders. He wasn’t here to check on her; he hadn’t been worried about her. The realization hurt worse than the cuts and bruises covering her body.

 

She looked down at her hands, blinking hard. Then pulled a breath in through her nose and tried to find the strength to do what she’d vowed. “Pa. The last time I bailed you out, I told you it wouldn’t happen again. And I told you the same thing the times before that. I’m sorry, but no.”

 

He shook his head. “Murphy, you’re my loving daughter. Of course you’ll come; I know you will.”

 

“No. No more.” Even she could hear the weakness in her protest.

 

“Family helps out family.” He moved closer, putting his hand on her shoulder with an affectionate rub.

 

Right on a gash. At the sharp bite of pain, she tried to pull away.

 

 

 

The tiny hurt sound from Murphy sent Saxon’s temper right over a cliff. “That’s enough.” Standing, he shoved her father away from her. “Get the hell out of here.”

 

The asshole gasped as if Saxon had punched him. “Who the hell are you? I’m her father.”

 

“Not much of one from what I see.” Saxon took a step forward. Beside him, Sherlock growled menacingly.

 

“Farran.” Turning to his son, the man threw out his hands. “Tell this person he can’t keep me from my girl.”

 

“Saxon’s right.” Jaw tight, Farran had risen to his feet. His face was as pale as Murphy’s. “You…you should leave.”

 

“What? I need Murphy to come—”

 

“Excuse me,” Jake broke in. His pleasant smile had no give in it. “It’s best you leave before Saxon breaks your jaw, and you end up sucking your meals through a straw for a month. He does have a powerful punch.”

 

Murphy’s father took a good look at Saxon and then retreated a step.

 

Just as well. Murphy would be upset if her father landed in the hospital.

 

“Let me show you to the door.” Taking the bastard’s arm, Jake steered him into the house. And they could all hear Chaykovsky start complaining the minute he was off the patio.

 

Farran had folded in on himself as if his spine had crumpled.

 

And Murphy looked so miserable, it was damn heartbreaking.

 

Resuming his seat, Saxon rested his arm along the top of the back cushions, touching her shoulders just enough that she might feel the heat of his skin. And hopefully feel sheltered.

 

When she leaned against him, he felt his throat tighten at her trust. He rubbed his chin on top of her head, one of the few places she said didn’t hurt.

 

Inside, her father’s voice rose. “Dugan, you have to tell your sister that—”