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If I didn’t, I stood a chance of falling headfirst, hopelessly in love with him.
* * *
Phoenix
“You got everything you want to take with you, buddy?” I asked Justin as he popped around the corner carrying his new suitcase. I’d tossed the one that he’d had in his hand the day his mother had dropped him off on my doorstep. I’d spent a fortune taking him to toy stores and purchasing clothes. I’d allowed him to pick out his ‘grownup’ bed and sheets, painting his room the exact color he’d wanted. Then I’d filled it with books and an iPad, games and everything else I could think of that he hadn’t experienced.
None of it mattered. He was still clinging to the stuffed bear he’d brought with him, clutching it in his arm as he lumbered toward me.
I’d heard from the great experts he was behind in both mental and physical development. They’d acted as if there was no chance the poor kid would have a normal life. That had pissed me off, enough so I’d screamed at his developmental doctor, firing the son of a bitch on the spot.
It hadn’t been my finest hour, but no one fucked with my kid.
Just like I’d refused to allow anyone to mess with Wren.
I raked my hand through my hair as I tried to shove thoughts of the night before out of my mind. Hell, when I’d noticed Bart still hanging around outside as I walked her to her car, it had been all I could do not to beat the man to a pulp. I’d even followed her home, making certain the fuckers hadn’t followed her.
Then I’d realized she’d rented Gage’s old place, the one he’d swore he’d never step foot in again. Karma was really kicking my ass.
“Do I have ta go?” he asked.
“Oh, my goodness. You’re going to have so much fun. You’re going to the zoo. Remember how you like the animals?” Finally, his little face brightened up.
“Yeah.” He stopped a few feet away, staring up at me. “You look weird.”
“Weird?” I grabbed his coat from the closet, taking his suitcase from his hand. “How so?”
“Dunno. Happy. You don’t have a mean look.”
I had to fight to keep from laughing. I’d been surly the entire time he’d been with me, barely laughing when we watched one of the dozens of movies I’d bought for him. As a matter of fact, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d laughed or smiled for that matter.
But I had around Wren.
“Well, maybe Daddy is happy. Come on, bud. Let’s get going. I think Betty is having pizza tonight.”
“Yay!”
As we headed for my truck, I said a silent prayer he didn’t go into one of his violent rages. Betty had been an angel handling him, but he’d gotten worse lately. I wasn’t certain how to handle him any longer and that pained me more than anything.
After settling him into the passenger seat, I scanned the perimeter. If only the gut feeling I had would go away. Would somebody dare try to seek revenge after all these years? Or was I just feeling more guilty than usual?
I put on his favorite station, trying not to think about Wren. I still hadn’t decided whether I’d let the cat out of the bag with regard to my real identity. The asshole inside of me wanted to, but that wouldn’t be fair to Wren or her sister.
When my phone rang, I was surprised Gage was calling.
“What’s up?”
“How was your night?” he jested.
“Don’t you go there.”
“Where is my good buddy, Phoenix?”
“Maybe’s he’s changing for the better. I know you didn’t call me just to give me… garbage.”
He laughed. “Oh, Justin’s with you. I shouldn’t be doing this, but Investigator Nelson asked me to come to Shadowland. He has the results.”
“Yeah. When?”
