Protection

66.

Burkhardt emerges from the small corridor. Taking in the sight before him, he stops dead in his tracks. Very slowly, like a man who was just approached by a wild animal, I raise to my feet with my hand up, palm out. "Bu-"

"Get the fuck out!" He snaps at Christian, moving over to us fast. "Sidra, get away from him!" I swiftly move in front of him and hold him back.

"Jacob!" Christian exclaims excitedly behind me. "It's nice to see you!" I roll my eyes. This fucking dick.

"What are you doing?!" Christian yells at me.

"What do you think?!" I snarl through my teeth then glance towards Sidra. After a quiet moment, Burkhardt reluctantly steps back, cursing under his breath. He knows I'll do anything for Sidra, including this if this is what she wants. It might blow up in her face or it might help her connect with at least one of her biological parents, either way, I'm here for her. Christian has his asshole moments but he wants to be there for her, I don't see him wanting to hurt her, but still... "If anything happens," I voice my thoughts, "I'll kill him myself."

"Good luck," scoffs Christian. Then I hear a smack sound and Christian curses. Nice to know Sidra won't hesitate to hit him. "You know I thought he got you pregnant. I'm sorry, honey, but it's such a relief to know he didn't get you pregnant."

"Don't call her that," I growl, looking over my shoulder at him, the same time Burkhardt asks, "what the fuck does that mean?"

Then Sidra sneaks into my POV as she moves to my side. "You fucking knew!" She snaps, shoving her hands against Burkhardt's chest. I quickly hook an arm around her waist and hold her back while Christian starts laughing.

I throw my head back and yell, "she's upset, dumbass!" Christian instantly stops laughing. Will I be this clueless when Cillian's here?

"I know, and I'm sorry," Burkhardt tells Sidra. I swallow hard as an odd feeling gives me goosebumps. Clearly, Burkhardt cares about my Sidra, but he doesn't show it often. Like now, the apologetic and regretful look he's giving her, it's unlike him. Letting us stay in his home, covering us at Rita's, that's his way of showing he cares. "But I didn't want you to worry about another shitty parent."

"Hey!" Christian whines.

I feel Sidra's body relax against mine. She wraps her arms around my arm. I take that as my clue to loosen my grip on her and rest my chin on the top of her head. Burkhardt catches my eye. Thank you, I mouth. Christian's an impulsive idiot.

Then a phone does off and Christian mutters a curse. The rest of us look back at him. "I have to go," he tells...Sidra. "Can I take you to dinner tonight?"

"We're supposed to have dinner with David tonight," she says.

"Here?"

She nods.

"Great. I haven't seen him in so long...I'm sure he won't mind." With that as a goodbye, he walks around the coffee table and heads for the front door. Sidra peers up at me with a puzzled expression twisting her lovely face. Then she takes off, running after him.

I start to follow but Burkhardt stops me. "What are you doing?!" Was I this bipolar when I accepted Christian?

Burkhardt shrugs. "Let's see how this plays out." I give him a dirty eye but focus and listen to Sidra's voice.

"You knew David?" She asks Christian.

"I know him, kid. But it's been years. I taught him how to ride a bike."

"When...? Well, maybe how would you-"

"While your mother was learning the business without me, doing her part on the streets, I babysat David."