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“I was planning on taking her to rehab, but she found out and fled the coop. Wasted behind the wheel. With my son.”
“God, I’m sorry…”
“Don’t be. As I said, I saw the signs, but I chose to ignore them.”
“You can hardly blame yourself for what she did.”
“You wouldn’t believe how sweet she was. We reconnected after my first deployment. I saw her at the skating rink and decided she was mine. She wanted that, too. I didn’t know she was already two months pregnant.”
“Oh…”
“I figured I could let that ruin my joy, or I could love him as I would a true-born son. The choice was simple.”
“I’m sure you were amazing with him.”
“He was seven. He will always be seven.”
My muscles tense involuntarily at the thought of what could happen to Seth. What could be happening right now.
“Don’t worry. I’m going to get your boy.”
“I believe you. If anyone could, it’s you.”
Once we arrive at the farm, Cole brings me to his tent. “I have to meet with my people and give them a heads up on my evolving plan before I meet with Russ. He won’t be happy with the changes I’m about to make, but he’ll have to deal. He doesn’t have a choice.”
“Should I come with you?”
“No, but I’ll meet with you to discuss logistics later. For now, I want you to rest. I’ll have Irma bring you some food.”
“Great, I’m starving. But who’s Irma?”
“Russ’s old lady.”
“Will you tell Selina I’m sorry?”
“Nope. You will, just not tonight.”
I stretch out on the cot, exhausted from my flight.
“I hope you don’t plan on running,” Cole says, his voice accusatory.
“I don’t. Not again.”
“I know you’re apprehensive about being claimed, but I promise, the men are—”
“I love you, Cole…” I say, my voice wavering.
His jaw shifts, like he’s mulling over what I just said.
Perhaps I’m foolish for wanting him to repeat it back to me.
Instead, he says, “You barely know me.”
“But I know a lot about you. I know your heart and how committed you are to your people. I know you’re the only man who’s ever satisfied me in bed, and you’re the one man I trust with Seth.”
I hate that he looks so pained. That the thought of being with me hurts him.
“I do love you, Cole. Even if you don’t love me, I love you.”
