Page 68 of Halo

“Daddy, look!” Vera squeals, pointing to a row of bounce houses near the picnic tables. “There's a castle! Can we go?”

“Please, Daddy, please?” Birdie chimes in.

Julian playfully sighs. “Okay, ven conmigo, mijas.”

I hook my arm around Grady, pulling him against my side. “Do you want to go jump in the bounce house?”

He eagerly nods, climbing down from the picnic table and assaulting me with his tail and foam spikes. Instinctively, he holds up his little hand, and I take it, holding it firmly in my palm.

After letting Chelsea know the change in plans, we head over to the bounce houses. The girls rip off their shoes and jump right into the pink castle. Within seconds, they're poking their heads out, begging for their dad to join them.

Grady, on the other hand, lingers near the entrance, carefully observing all the other children.

I squat down to his eye level. “Wanna give it a try?”

He slowly nods,quietly sittting down and dutifully taking off his sneakers.

Lizzie pops her head out of the tent. “Grady, c’mon!” She holds out her hand, and that's all the encouragement he needs. Moments later, my dancing dinosaur is jumping and tumbling with the other kids, a huge grin stretched across his face.

I pull out my phone to record a quick video when a sharp bang against the metal siding of one of the refreshment trailers steals my attention. I glance over, narrowing my eyes toward a dimly lit corner where a man stands with his back to me, his arms flying wildly as he shouts at someone hidden from view.

“Santi,” I call to Julian. “Watch Grady. I'll be right back.”

I cautiously make my way over, and as I get closer, I realize the man's broad frame is blocking a woman from my view.

“... after everything I have done for you, you reported me?” His palm hits the siding again, making me flinch.

A small voice answers, too soft for me to make out.

“Oh, don't start acting scared now.” He steps closer. “You wanted the state involved. Congratulations.” He paces in a circle. “Do you enjoy playing the victim? Do you?” he growls. “Unbelievable!”

“Hey!” I shout into the darkness. “I think you need to step back and take a breather, sir.”

He turns around, and I am met with the cunning smile of Declan. “Crawford, this is a private moment with me and my wife. Leave.”

“I can't do that. I—”

“Nick?”

My heart seizes against my ribs.

That voice—her kind, sweet voice … the one that teases and laughs with me, the one that tells me that she somehow sees something decent in me...

The voice that openly loves my son …

It's laced with fear.

And I am fucking livid.

“Get the fuck away from her.”

Chapter 17

Nick

“Language, Crawford.” Declan clicks his tongue before chuckling humorlessly. “Listen, this is all a big misunderstanding.”

I take one deliberate step toward him, forcing him to crane his neck to meet my eyes. “Then let me clear it up for you, asshole.” I raise my voice. “I said Get … the fuck … away … from her.”