Night of Destiny Novel by Vanessa K

Chapter 66

The downpour didn’t look like it would stop anytime soon. Looking over at the man on the couch, Anastasia offered, “I’ll get you an umbrella right away.”

However, Elliot eyed her in mild amusement as he said matter-of-fačtly, “I’m staying here for the night.”

Stunned, she blinked at him for a moment and asked, “Why?”

“Because Jared needs me.” As if to make a point, Elliot stroked Jared’s head with his large palm like he was some kind of guardian deity, and the little one looked up at him with an imploring expression and begged, “Mr. Presgrave, Mommy and I are terrified of lightning and thunder, so can you please stay with us and keep us safe for the night?”

Anastasia immediately interjected, “Absolutely not, Jared. I’m more than capable of keeping you safe during the storm.”

“But you’re terrified of thunder too, Mommy!” Jared argued, mercilessly calling her bluff.

“I am not. I’m just—” She was about to make her case when the universe, determined to prove her wrong, called upon yet another bout of lightning that slithered past the sky and tore through the night. As always, this was followed by another violent clap of thunder.

She shuddered, flinching as she clasped her hands to her ears quickly.

the amusement glittering in his eyes. Flushing, she mumbled through gritted teeth, “Bottom line is that you can’t stay here.

go as soon as

and said in resignation, “Fine, then. You can’t go back to

the living room with Jared and headed back into her bedroom. When she saw the undergarment that he had retrieved earlier, she was seized with the urge to kick herself. Of all the things to drop from the pile of laundry,

was even a weather alert that urged everyone to stay safe because it was likely that the thunderstorm would go on for the rest of

night? If everyone finds out that we spent the night together at my place, the

space, she didn’t have an extra room to put Elliot in, and

and the thunder finally waned in its ferocity, Jared was dragged into the bathroom by his mother so that he could wash up for bed. A while later, Anastasia emerged from the room with a better

phone and keyed in the pin before reading the text. “It’s a message

read Nigel’s message, which was clearly penned out of concern as it

with his Legos once more. Elliot reached

just worried about you and Jared, Anastasia. I’ll come over right now, how about

for you to drop by right now, came Elliot’s reply as his

your place plenty of times

as he thought, Which base did

could reply, yet another text came from Nigel. ‘Anastasia, all you need to do is say yes and I’d be more than happy to take care of you and Jared for life. I’d stand guard over the both of you,

both

cringed and tossed the phone to the empty space next to him on the