Caden
Raven’s eyes blinked heavily as I brushed my hands through her hair. After we finished eating, I pulled her hair free from her ponytail, and she curled up with her head in my lap. I loved feeling the soft strands cascading through my fingers. She was soft right down to her hair.
The perfect contract to the hardness and harshness of the three of us.
“Shh,” I soothed her. “You can go to sleep if you need to, little one.”
“Thank you, Daddy C.” A large yawn made her jaw click as she opened wide and stretched her arms out. Then, she turned over, her face brushing against my stomach as she curled up and shut her eyes. Moments later, her breathing evened out as she fell into a deep slumber.
“She is too goddamn good for us,” Chris whispered, his molten caramel eyes locked on her sleeping form.
“She is,” I agreed. “But that just means we have to strive to be even better men.” I pinned my Russian friend with a knowing glance, and he let out a heavy sigh.
“Was that my hint to call and talk to mybabushkaabout whatever Bryan wanted to say?” His voice was clipped. Strained. I knew he didn’t like us pressuring him, but there were things we all needed to know. But he, most of all, needed this bit of closure.
His past had haunted him for too long.
I shrugged one shoulder. “That or you reach out to your cousin and see if he knows what Bryan could want.”
Chris groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. “I thought about that, but I haven’t spoken to Harry in almost as long. I doubt he’d be receptive to my calls now.”
“You never know,” Kashton added. He’d gotten back on his laptop, needing to take care of a few things so he could stay home with the rest of us today.
Chris muttered something in Russian under his breath and grabbed his phone from the coffee table.
I went back to staring down at Raven as she slept peacefully.
Despite the trials she’d got through in the past week, she still trusted us. She loved us. It was something that I never thought was possible until she came into our lives.
I would cherish her with every fiber of my being until my heart ceased beating.
Raven slept curled against me, and I typed away on my laptop. I’d canceled my in-person classes for the next two weeks and moved everything online. I wouldn’t let my students get too far behind. I had two advanced history classes that several needed to graduate this semester, and there was no way I’d let them fall behind.
I spent the next hour catching up on emails and typing out several discussion posts that I used instead of lectures. I still had a few term papers trickling in that I would have to grade over the weekend.
At least I always saved the good ones for last. It made for a much better end to the batch.
“You know she won’t be content to work from home all week,” I remarked absently as I brushed away the strands of hair that had fallen over her face.
“I know,” Kashton replied with a sigh as he removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. He only wore them when he was tired, and his eyes were too irritated from his contacts.
“So, you’ll need to plan something.”
This time, Chris sighed. “I know. I get it. Just give me some time to simmer down and feel like I can let her out of my sight.”
I knew this was difficult for him, but he would have to learn one way or another he couldn’t stifle Raven or she’d end up resenting him.
The Russian put a hand in the air. “I already fucking know what you’re thinking. Don’t keep her down. She’ll get restless. She’ll want to run away from us because I am too controlling.”
I nodded. “Yeah, that is exactly what I’m thinking. Thanks for saving me the trouble of having to say it all out loud.”
Chris narrowed his eyes on me. His jaw was set in a firm line, the muscles in his neck standing out from the force.
“Guys, come on. It’s getting late.” Kashton interjected, trying to be the peacemaker. “Let’s get to bed, and we can figure out more in the morning.”
He was right. Raven was already fast asleep, and we needed to get her up and into bed before she got a crick in her neck from sleeping wrong.
I brushed my fingers over her cheek and whispered her name. “I’m going to pick you up, little one. Don’t be scared.”
Her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled at me. “Where are we going?”
“Getting you up into bed.” I rose and then leaned down to take her in my arms.
“What, no, Caden.” She squeaked. “I can walk, don’t hurt yourself carrying me.”
I snorted. “I’m built pretty solid for a nerdy history professor. Don’t worry about me. Just relax.”
She huffed a sigh but wrapped her arms around my neck and let me carry her up the stairs.
Good. The sooner Raven learned we would always care for her, the better.