The Fake Vows (Book 1)

Chapter 4

'Denver I said don't do that!' Elisabeth pleaded with the child. She was beyond exhausted. It was just a few minutes after eight yet she felt like it was a million hours past her bedtime. The kids had made it their goal to have her running around like a headless chicken all day.

'And I said you're not the boss of me!' The little boy answered challenging Elisabeth's warning. He stuck his tongue out and rolled his eyes at her. He was throwing his toys all over the place and spraying the water gun of wooden furniture. She gasped in shock at the child's guts. She had been raised by a loving but also strict woman, sister Rose. She was taught to never answer back to an elder.

'I'm older than you so listen to me.' She said gently to the adorable child and surprisingly he put the water gun down. She gave out a deep breath of relief when he finally listened to her.

'Good. Now let's get you in bed. Your sisters are already tired and I nee-' The rest of her words got stuck on her throat as she saw the tall, muscular and handsome live statue that stood at the door. His arms were folded against his chest and his scolding gaze was on Denver. She couldn't explain it but she felt happy when he came back home.

The child suddenly moved closer to her, tugging onto her skirt. She suddenly knew why he had obeyed her.

'Good evening.' She said monotonously.

'Evening. Denver go to bed now. I'll be up to tuck you in shortly.' He told the child maintaining his stern gaze.

'Dexter can you not intimidate him with your eyes please. He's just a child.' She asked as she let go of Denver. He quickly left the room and ran upstairs.

'You don't tell me what to do Elisabeth. I may not have a child of my own, but I'm twenty seven. Old enough to know better about children than you.' He answered and unfolded his hands and put them into his pockets.

'I didn't mean to imply otherwise. It's just that the way he was holding onto me is a bit pitiful. He's too scared of you.' She explained quietly. That look he'd been casting on the child before fell on her instead. She could feel it now and it was easy to understand the child's fear. His look was really intimidating but somehow she wasn't as scared of him as she was in the first days of their marriage.

'As much as I appreciate you taking care of them during my absence, that doesn't give you any privileges over me. I'm their uncles and you're just a stranger. What I do or say to them is out of your control.' He answered and with that strode out of the room. Elisabeth was stunned. She couldn't even remember how a conversation on being less intimidating had led to such harsh but true words.

She followed after him and went to tuck Lindsay and Chelsea in bed too . On her way to her room, she saw Dexter going into his office. He obviously wasn't in the mood for dinner. She suddenly remebered to tell him about his brother's visit.

'Mark came to see the kids earlier on today. He brought them some clothes and new toys.' She told him. He stopped and turned to face her.

'Was that all he came to do?' He asked her with his eyes fixed on hers. He looked at her as though she had left out some more details. She wondered if there was something else he expected his brother to have left behind.

'Yes that's all he did. He stayed for two hours to play with the kids.' She told him. He looked unsettled.

'Okay. Hillary will come and get the kids before eight in the morning. Make sure their things are in place before then.' He said before continuing to his office.

She stayed in the same position for a minute longer just staring into the blank space that he'd just recently occupied. He hadn't the slightest clue as to how much his cold attitude was eating her inside. Overlooking his coldness towards her, she had to admit she felt at peace when he was spending the night in the house.