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anymore, not even with his support, so she pulled away and sank to the couch, covering her face. “Unbelievable.”
    “Not after he explained, but it shocked me at first.”
    She felt the sofa give as he sat beside her. His strong, warm presence soothed her a little. She dropped her hands and turned to face him.
    He slid closer to her, keeping his gaze on hers. The kindness in his eyes made her feel better. She remembered times from the past when that same look had comforted her and made her feel safe, as if nothing could harm her. Near him, she found the courage to ask, “What else did he tell you?” She wanted to rest her body against his strong chest and have him tighten his arms around her.
    Damian’s gaze frosted over and he looked ready to spit. “My loveable father spanked him with a belt a few times, like he did to me when I was a kid. I don’t think you should let Miles see him unless you’re there with him. I’m going to have a word with dear old Dad.”
    Casey’s heart slammed against her chest. “He hit Miles with a freakin’ belt ??”
    “Yes. And whether I’m disowned or not, I don’t give a crap. I’m going to confront him.”
    “I had no idea.” Guilt washed over her. “Miles never told me. I-I can’t believe Michael would hit him at all, let alone with a belt . Honestly, Damian, he’s crazy about Miles.”
    “I believe it. Dad may adore him, but he hit him, and he’ll pay for that.”
    She laughed bitterly. “Yes, he will. I feel like going after your father with my own belt.”
    “Dad’ll be seeing me tomorrow.” It sounded like a warning.
    Casey felt sick. How could Michael Ballantine, who loved Miles so much, hit him with a belt? What other things had Miles kept from her?
    “So tell me more.” She heard the brittle sound of her voice and hoped he knew it wasn’t directed at him.
    She saw regret and apologies in his eyes, as if he didn’t want to cause her more grief. He didn’t coddle her though. “Sam makes him do push-ups as discipline, which pisses me off, and school, well, possibly due to the mill, the teachers and kids pick on him. We have a child who’s miserable, and I’m glad you dragged me back here. I want to help him.”
    Casey leaned back against the cushions. “Miles told you more in half an hour than he’s confided in me in five years.”
    “Boys can be protective of their mothers,” Damian said, and his low, soothing voice of velvet smoothed her anger. “Miles didn’t want to burden you.”
    “At ten years old? Do I seem so fragile that a ten year old would think I’d have a nervous breakdown if he told me his problems?” She felt both frustrated and devastated. Nobody thought of her as weak. Why would her son?
    Damian’s eyes softened and she even saw a gleam of mischief twinkling in them. “You’re as strong as Wonder Woman, hell, Superman. Remember the time some guy tried to grab your purse and you kicked him in the groin? After I saw him in court, I was so angry with you because he looked like a freakin’ linebacker! But you stopped him.”
    “Well, he couldn’t have my purse.” She shrugged, remembering. “I got lucky that a cop was driving by and saw the whole thing.”
    “And I recall,” Damian continued, “you ran in the street to knock a kid out of the path of a car and you got hit instead. Of course, you said you were fine and I had to force you to get medical attention.”
    “It was just a broken arm,” she said, with another shrug as his grin managed to penetrate her gloom and touch her soul. She felt her own grin breaking through.
    “Should I continue the endless stories about your bravery?”
    She laughed, waved a dismissive hand, and then sobered as her thoughts traveled. “Miles thinks I’m weak, obviously, even though I’m not.”
    Damian slid closer to her and wrapped his arm around her. Her skin flamed, even under the circumstances. “Miles is only ten. He sees a very brave mother trying to raise him alone, and