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Chapter Sixty-four
Alia could see that Sam was ecstatic when he learned his visitors would not be returning. He quickly fetched their belongings and passed both bags to Sloan. “How can I thank you for the peace you have given this family, Sloan?”
“No thanks needed, Samir, just doing my job.”
When Janna opened her mouth to argue, Alia held up her hand. “It’s a long story. And we’ll share it with you one day soon. For now, we need to get back to Kean and make sure he’s not too worried about me leaving him again tonight. The last time I did, he was kidnapped. I’m still a little nervous.”
They said their goodbyes and left. Sloan’s free arm rounded her waist but she knocked it away. “Stop it. They might be watching.”
“Dammit, woman. I’m telling everyone the truth tonight. I can’t keep my hands off you.”
“Sounds good to me.” She giggled and then ran in front of him as soon as he tried again to encircle her around the neck.
When they entered the house, they saw Kean engrossed in a Transformers movie, surrounded by a bunch of adults all with bowls of popcorn.
Seeing this and knowing that no one had paid any attention to their arrival, Sloan put his hand over her mouth gently and dragged her back into the kitchen where he kissed her so deeply, her legs lifted around his hips so her lower body could grind against his. Completely absorbed by the wonders of his mischievous tongue, she didn’t hear a thing until her son yelled, “Mo-om!”
Sloan’s arm stiffened and he let her down slowly. They stared for a second into each other’s eyes and then both turned to see five faces filled with various expressions.
Kean was horrified.
Don was laughing.
Libby, Roy and Les were all grinning like baboons.
Alia pushed Sloan in front of her and waited.
His hands came up as if to ward off enemies and he spoke calmly. “I can explain.”
Les’s smart-alecky “Uh, huh?” seemed to be the only response.
“First, I’m really not Alia’s stepbrother, we’re not actually related. Just pretending. It was the job.”
Kean appeared worried. “You’re not my uncle?”
“Nope. The FBI wanted us to act as if we were, so you and your mom could move in here with me. We were working undercover but that assignment is over as of tonight.”
Kean’s sudden sob and face full of tears shocked them all.
Roy, whose hand had shot out to cover Kean’s eyes, now shook his finger at Sloan, the anger in his tone most unusual. “Well, son, you’ve gone and done it now.”
***
Alia rushed to gather Kean close. “Why are you crying, honey?”
“Because we won’t be staying here with Sloan anymore, and I like living here. A lot.”
Sloan stepped into their space and crouched down next to them. “Hey kid, if I have my way and your mama agrees, you’ll never have to leave.”
Roy’s mood reversed and his happy chuckle caught her attention. She couldn’t help but notice the twinkle in those blue eyes that were so similar to hers and Kean’s.
A wave of fear suddenly swept over her.Son?Why did Roy refer to Sloan as his son? And then she remembered. Sloan had called Roy ‘Dad’ in the hospital. In fact, Sloan said that he had three dads and didn’t know for sure which one was his paternal father. Didn’t care. But if her suspicions were correct, that small detail could be a deal breaker to them ever being able to be together. She needed to find out the truth – right now – before they went any further with his plans.
Her heartbeats sped up. Taking a deep breath became impossible. Pain slammed into her almost doubling her over and a sick foreboding thrummed throughout her body.
She caressed Sloan’s cheek for a second and then shocked the hell out of everyone, including the man who had started to reach for her.
“Roy, can I see you alone for a minute?”
The room went silent. Sloan’s arm dropped and his questioning stare unnerved her but it didn’t stop her. Everyone else shuffled uncomfortably and Sloan picked up Kean who kept aiming his stare between his mom and the man who now held him. Then his small arms wrapped around Sloan’s neck and he hid his face.
