Oh, holy fuck. “Jesus, boy, no. No, you’re just a kid, and hell, you shouldn’t throw things. We talked about that, yeah?”

There was an up and down movement. Aric’s face was still pressed against Hawk’s neck.

“You’re not bad. Kids can’t be bad. Like it’s a law or something.”

There was a muffled snort.

Hawk glared at Caz.

Kit scrubbed her face with her hands. She was pale.

She should be. He was a monster.

And his brothers were assholes.

“Let me get this straight.” She used the voice he thought of as her badass-mama one. “Aric and Rachel had a fight over a toy, and he lost his temper and threw books and yelled at her.” Her eyes narrowed as she looked from Aric to Hawk, waiting for an answer.

Hawk didn’t move. He wasn’t about to incriminate the kid.

“Yes, Mama,” Aric whispered.

“One down,” Gabe muttered. He stood beside Caz, one foot on the bench. Bull was next to him.

Hawk’s muscles tightened. Would he lose his brothers too?

“What did Hawk yell at you?” Kit asked, her attention on her son.

“Stop.”

She sighed. “Because he wanted you to stop throwing things?”

Another nod.

“I’d’ve yelled too,” JJ murmured. “A book could’ve caused a nasty injury.”

“And he grabbed you. Maybe to move you away from Rachel?” Kit’s guess got a nod.

“Did he hurt you, Aric?”

“Nuh-uh.” Aric sniffled. “I got scared.”

The sense of guilt almost buckled Hawk’s knees, but he kept his balance; he was still holding the boy. At least he hadn’t hurt him, thank fuck.

“Aric, why were you scared, mijo?” Caz asked gently.

“Cuz I—”

“Because I’m a monster,” Hawk growled. “Don’t pick on the kid; he should—”

“What?” Kit stared at him. “Why would you…? Hawk, no. Aric was afraid because Obadiah or the other PZ men would have beat him. Why would you think you’re a monster?”

“Because his father was,” Gabe said at the same time as Bull.

Hawk turned to stare at his brothers.

Caz nodded. “We heard you talking with Grayson.”

His brothers knew; it wasn’t the big secret that he’d figured. There wasn’t the pity or disgust he’d feared. Just understanding.

And their knowing was more of a relief than he could have imagined.

Aric lifted his head and told Kit, “His mama and daddy were mean to him.”

Hawk winced. That was exactly what Doc Grayson had said to Aric, that Hawk’s parents could be mean. “His dad hit him. So did his momma.”

“I see.” She took a step closer. Her hand was warm on his arm. “Tell me about your parents.”

Fuck no. He needed to leave, dammit.

His brothers just waited. Audrey, Frankie, JJ, and Regan had gathered in a group next to them.