and her mom followed her out the door. Walking to the open railing looking down onto the foyer down below and the grand staircase she paused.
"Mom." Swallowing because those damned tears threatened again. "The house and Armed and Dangerous are gone. They were torched today."
"Oh, honey." Her mom's arms wrapped around her and that was it. The flood of tears she'd planned on keeping at bay surged forward and she cried her heart out. Her mom's tears joined hers as they stood consoling each other.
Once she managed to get herself under control she breathed deeply. "We're going to find them and make them pay. But, in the meantime, we'd like you and Aidyn to stay inside. I know he has boundless energy and it's hard being cooped up in this room. You can go down to the kitchen, dining room and living room and walk around the inside of the house. There is a workout room downstairs I'm told. I could see if you and Aidyn could go in there and burn off some energy there."
"Oh, honey, don't worry about us. We'll be fine and we'll stay here inside until we're told otherwise."
"Thanks, Mom. I'll text you in a little while and we'll come and relieve you so you can take a break."
Her mom hugged her again and she swiped at her tears, huffed out a brave breath and started toward the bedroom door when Axel and Aidyn stepped out.
"I just got a text; they have some information. I have to go downstairs. If you want to stay here, there's no problem..."
36
She bit her bottom lip, which was sexy as fuck, but she was working to keep her emotions under control. He could see that her eyes were rimmed with red. She’d likely let herself cry over what had just happened and he felt bad that she needed to act stoic in front of him. He undoubtedly hadn't earned her trust yet.
"I told you I want to be a part of this. I need this."
Then he saw her bottom lip quiver and realized his earlier assessment was incorrect. She was keeping her lip from quivering and from breaking out into a huge cry.
"Okay. I just wanted to offer it up, Bridget."
He turned and knelt in front of Aidyn. "I'll see you later, Bud. Don't forget, if I come back later after you're in bed and you wake up and want to see me, I'll leave my door unlocked. I'm right across the hall, okay?"
"Okay. I'll wake you up in the morning."
"Deal." He put his fist up to bump against Aidyn's and the sharp little tike's smaller fist bumped his. Then the giggle and smile he emitted melted Axel's heart.
He stood and looked at Bridget and Vivian watching them and the smile on both of their faces meant the world to him. They probably didn't even know it. Bridget walked toward them, knelt and hugged Aidyn tightly, her eyes closed as she felt their son's body and tried to absorb him into her. He wanted to do that so bad. Just hold him.
Kissing his cheek, she turned to her mom. "Thank you. Just text if you need a break."
"I will. We're fine. We just might go down to the kitchen and see if Mrs. James has a cookie or two."
"Yay!" Aidyn jumped up and down and Vivian smiled and waved them off.
Axel turned to the elevator and waved his card in front of the electronic pad and the doors immediately opened.
He waited for Bridget to enter in front of him then stepped in and pushed the button for the conference room floor.
"You're good with him."
He turned to her at her words to see if she was teasing him.
"Thank you. I know it sounds trite or too soon, but I love him. I get jealous when you hug him close because I want to hug him to me so badly. But I also want him to want to be hugged by me."
Her phenomenal green eyes turned up to his and his breath caught. The earnestness and depth in the way she looked at him hit him hard.
"I understand that. He's a very loving little boy. I'd bet it won't be long and he'll run to you and throw his little arms around your neck. It's who he is."
All Axel could do was place his hand over his heart and swallow the emotion that just overcame him.
The doors opened and Bridget stepped off the elevator first and he followed quietly behind her allowing