Dylan laughs. “I love her. She’s important to me. I want to protect her, and cherish her, and make her feel like she’s the most important person in the world.” Huh, right. I wasn’t expecting that much from him. “Is that straight forward enough for you?”
I scoff and click my tongue to the roof of my mouth. “She’s someone special.”
“She certainly is.” He sighs deeply. “Considering it’s not just her I’m in a relationship with, I think it’s important we get along too. I know you don’t know me, so I intend to prove to you that I’m not going to hurt her. Or you. Or Kate. And especially not Neve.”
“Especially not Neve?” I question.
“Because Neve is just a child. And she’s suffered enough at the hands of a monster.”
“What about sex?” I ask the hard question.
Dylan looks away as he smashes his lips together. “That’s something I need to talk to Molly about first.”
“You can talk to me.”
“I don’t feel comfortable having this conversation with you before I have it with Molly.”
“Why? Are you going to just keep going regardless of what she wants?”
Dylan stands abruptly, and comes right up to my face. “Don’t you dare say that about me. You have no idea what kind of person I am.” He pokes me in the shoulder. “I would never hurt anyone, let alone Molly! Don’t you dare.” He backs away, and places both his hands on his hips. “I’m not that type of person. I never have been.”
I think I’ve pushed him too far. But I had to know. I had to know him. Dylan’s restless, moving from foot to foot while taking deep breaths. “Look, man,” I say as I approach him. “I had to know the kind of guy you are.”
“This was some kind of test? Are you serious?” He closes his eyes, and pinches the bridge of his nose.
“It wasn’t a test. I’m responsible for the lives of three other people. So I have to make sure the guy she’s fallen in love with is a good guy, and not a monster who’s going to hurt her. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll fucking kill you if you lay a hand on her, but from what I’ve seen, you’re okay.”
“AJ, you don’t have to be responsible for her anymore. I’ve got this. Actually, I’ve got all of you.”
I shake my head. “They will always be my responsibility.”
Dylan steps forward, and claps a hand to my shoulder. “You’ve done a really good job of looking after them for as long as you have. You can take a rest, AJ. Let me help. Please.”
His plea is somewhat surprising, but definitely heartfelt. He’s not a monster, he’s not a bad guy, not like him.
We can trust him. Neve’s softness is what draws me to her.
“I’ve got a feeling we can too, Neve.”
Dylan’s brows crinkle.
I think he’ll look after us. Let him help, AJ. You’ve had to be strong for so long, let him help.
“Neve likes you.”
Dylan smiles. “I like Neve too. I like you all, but I love Molly. I love her with all my heart.”
I know.
Although I believe Dylan, I still have reservations. “I’m going to be keeping an eye on you. And don’t for one moment think I won’t come forward to protect her.”
“I know.” Dylan holds his hand out, waiting for me to shake it. I look down, hesitant about showing him my acceptance so early on. I won’t be fooled. Not ever again. But I take it, and vow to myself, Kate, Neve, and M that I’ll watch over them forever.
I push myself back, and force M to come forward.
The fogginess is slowly lifting. I’m sitting on Dylan’s lap when I become fully aware of what’s happening. “I’m sorry,” I say then clear my throat. I can feel my ears tingling with a sure sign of embarrassment. “I can’t believe AJ did that.” Standing, I walk away from Dylan, my pulse now pounding with anger.
“Molly. Stop.” Dylan stands, and approaches me.
“I’m so damn angry at AJ. He just forced his way through and took over. What the hell is his problem?”
“Stop!” Dylan says again.
“How can you be so calm, he just…” I feel like punching the wall.
“Look. I don’t think he’s going to do that again. Just, please, listen to me.” Dylan walks over to the kitchen, and takes a pitcher of water out of the fridge, pours me a glass and brings it to his table. “AJ was concerned about me.”
“You?”
“Yeah, and I get it. He had to make sure my intentions aren’t villainous.”
“Villainous?” What a weird word.
“He’s concerned about all of you. He’s Kate’s, Neve’s, and your protector. He’s spent his life protecting you, making sure he steps in when you can’t deal with what’s happened. It’s normal he wants to protect you from another threat.”
“What did he say?” I ask as I slump in the chair, pick the water up and drink it all in one go.
“He wanted to check me out, make sure I wasn’t going to hurt you. We met, we talked, things got a little heated for a few moments, but I think we came to an understanding.”
I focus on anyone talking at the moment, but they’re all quiet. No one is saying anything. “They’re quiet,” I say as I point up toward my head.
“Let’s have dinner, and enjoy our night.”
“I need a rest from everything.” I really do. “A few days without them in my head, without the worry of Mack and Preston. I just need a vacation.”
“Yeah, you do.”
Dylan moves around the kitchen like a professional. He prepares our bowls of pasta and sauce, then brings them over to the table. I’m not really hungry, not now. But I’ll definitely eat. “Thank you,” I say.
“Life as we know it won’t ever be the same, Molly. But I want you to know, whatever challenges you have are challenges we have, and we deal with them together.”
I shake my head, tears threatening to spill. “You’re too good for me, Dylan.”
“No, Molly. We’re perfect for each other.”
Yeah, I’m totally in love with Dylan. But I’m going to have to talk to AJ, Neve, and Kate, and establish some rules and guidelines.
“Dylan’s on his way over, is that okay?” I ask Mom as we cook in the kitchen together.
“I know,” Mom replies with a smile.
I look over to her, she’s got a huge cheeky smile. “What are you up to?”
“Me? Nothing.” She shrugs, but I know she’s hiding something. Though the smile tells me, it’s got to be good.
Dad’s in the den, doing something for Eveline.
The doorbell rings, and Zhen walks out first to see who’s at the door. He’s wagging his tail when I get there, so I know it’s definitely Dylan. Opening the door, I find Dylan standing in front of me, looking rather sexy in jeans, and a tight, light green t-shirt. “Hello,” I say as I lean in for a kiss.
He snakes his hand around my waist, pulls me in tight and dips me. His lips are soft, and gentle. “Hello, beautiful,” he says when he straightens us and pulls away from the kiss.