Page 60 of Brazen

“I hope it’s because you feel safe enough with me to let it all out,” I murmured, pulling her against me.

She wrapped her arms around my waist and stood with her cheek pressed against my bare chest. “It’s just that ever since I found out I was pregnant with JT, things have always been a struggle.”

I rubbed her back. “I’m so sorry you had to go through all that on your own.”

“Well, I had my dad to help when JT was a baby. He’s retired in Costa Rica, so I went there for the birth, and we lived with him for a couple of sweet years. But then JT’s nanny started noticing his super-baby stuff and was telling everyone in the little town about it. So we moved.”

“Does your dad know what JT is?”

She shook her head.

“You’ve really been alone in this the whole time.”

Her lips trembled. “Yeah.”

“Until now,” I said firmly. “Listen, I don’t know anything about your ex–hell I don’t even know his name,” I said.

“It’s Ted. Ted Thorson.”

Ted Thorson. I filed that away to research more later. The name was familiar–if I remembered, he was a hotshot as far as racecar drivers went. About to break a record for the most wins.

“Well, I don’t know anything about him, but for what it’s worth, most wolves have a strong urge to protect and provide for their young–human born or not.”

Clio pushed back from me.

I caught her waist and pulled her back in. “Don’t pull away from me, Sparks. I’m not him. I’m always gonna be Team Clio and JT. Always.”

She exhaled and softened slightly. “What are you saying?”

I shrugged. “I hate to even suggest it because the last thing I want is your ex sniffing around you and JT when I already want to kill him for hurting you, but–” I took a deep breath and exhaled.

What was I doing?

Ted Thorson didn’t know about JT. If I kept my mouth shut, our pack would never have to deal with him or his pack over anything.

But–fuck. I’d been careful with my female exploits, but if I had a pup out there somewhere, I’d sure as hell want to know about it, so I could be there for him and his mom.

“Maybe letting him know would at least get you the child support he owes.” I held my palms out. “But I support whatever decision you make one hundred percent. I’m your man, Clio. I have your back. Always.”

She studied me for a moment. “Thanks.”

“Can you trust that?”

She sucked in a breath and then let it out. “Yeah. I’ll try. I guess I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

I looked down at her. “No shoes will drop. I’m your mate. The male Fate picked for you.”

She gave me a smile. “A day ago I would’ve said that was bullshit, but I just experienced the strongest sense of déjà vu when I saw your wolf.” She shivered and stepped closer to me.

“I’m yours, Clio. And you’re mine. Get used to it.”

JT raced back up, holding a large pinecone. “Look, Mommy. This is the biggest pinecone out there!”

“Whoa, that is big.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket. “Should we take a picture?”

“Yeah!” JT cried.

I snapped a photo, then held my phone out to take a selfie of us. “Can I get a picture of us for my mom?”