Page 22 of Iced Out

Cruz nodded slowly. “I think…” He looked at Sanchez. “… in the end… Shane might be the light that helps him find his way through the darkness.”

“Dad!” Luke rushed across the living room as Clint and Cochise entered the house. “You’re back!” Luke hugged the cowboy.

“I’m back.” Clint wrapped his arms around the boy and held him close for a long moment.

Lifting his head, Luke asked quietly, “Did you get them?”

“Yeah.” Clint nodded. “We got them.” He stroked his thumb gently over Luke’s bruised face. “They won’t be coming back.” His eyes shifted to Axel, standing in the archway to the living room. Just the sight of the young man lightened Clint’s heart. “We should head home.”

Axel nodded and disappeared down the hall.

“Everything is… okay?” Kane approached Cochise.

The Egyptian nodded once, understanding Kane’s concern. “It’s all taken care of.”

Kane smiled, relieved. He hugged Cochise. “I can never relax until you’re home safe,” he whispered.

Axel returned with Hope.

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” Clint said, patting Cochise’s shoulder. He paused a moment, holding the Egyptian’s stare. “You were a hero today,” he murmured, low enough that only Kane and Luke overheard him. “Whether you believe it or not.”

Cochise looked at him silently, offering no response.

Clint crossed the room to Axel and exited through the back door with his small family.

“You told Cochise he was a hero today,” Luke said as they crossed the spacious backyard. “Doesn’t he think he is?”

“No.” Even though Clint saw the hero in his Egyptian brother, he understood the man’s inability to see it himself. Many had called Clint a hero as well… but he didn’t feel it inside.

“He is,” Luke said. “And so are you.”

Axel smiled small—he was always the first to tout Clint’s heroism.

Clint hugged the boy to him. “Thanks,” was all he offered in return. It was pointless to argue with Luke or Axel. Clint had failed too many times to feel like a hero—his worst failure staring him in the face every time Axel removed his shirt, revealing the vicious scars across his upper body. Clint had been there to witness each one inflicted… and couldn’t do a fucking thing to stop it.

As Axel entered the house through the back door, he touched Clint’s arm. “Are you okay?” he murmured.

“Yeah.” Clint took Hope from Axel, cradling her in his arms. She’d been asleep when they left the house next door, but now she opened her eyes. She gazed up at Clint, blinked, then grinned, kicking her feet. Clint chuckled and kissed her head. “I missed you, too, darling.” He shifted her to his shoulder, holding her closer.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Axel looked uncertain. “It’s okay… if you’re not.”

Clint sighed as he gently rubbed the infant’s back. “When she’s older,” he said, his voice strained. “I’m going to be terrified of letting her out of my sight.” He glanced toward the hall leading back to the bedrooms where Luke had gone. “I’m already afraid for Luke. And after today…” He shook his head. “Our kids aren’t safe.” Clint met Axel’s gaze. “And I need them to be. Cochise needs his kids to be safe.”

Axel stepped closer, hugged Clint, then kissed Hope on the head. “Clint,” he murmured. “You do whatever you need to make our kids safe. You know I’ll support whatever decisions you make.” He kissed Clint on the mouth. “I need our kids to be safe, too.”

“When we came back from the island,” Clint said. “I wanted to start then.” He pressed his lips against Hope’s soft hair. “I should have.”

“By the time she’s older,” Axel said quietly, “her world will be safer. I’ll help you make it safer, and we’ll teach her how to protect herself. She won’t be a victim out there; we’ll make sure of that. Cory taught me to fight and defend myself, and I can teach her. And so can you. We’ll start when she’s young, when she’s still safe within our bubble, so when she’s ready to venture outside it… she’ll be a badass young woman no man will dare mess with. And if they’re stupid enough to try…” Axel smiled. “She’ll give them a little cowboy lesson they won’t forget.”

Clint smiled small and nodded. “Yeah.” He kissed Hope’s head. “She will.”

“And Luke, too. He’s old enough to start taking lessons.”

“What’re you talking about?” Luke appeared, having only caught Axel’s last words.

“Taking self-defense lessons with me and your dad,” Axel said. “And Cory, too. Noah and Noel asked about it a while back. Would you like that? Everyone should know how to defend themselves.” He glanced at Clint. “Especially in this family.”

“Really?” Luke’s eyes brightened.