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“Are you Maggie Turner?” he asked.
“How did you know that?” she gasped, stepping back.
“It’s something we do. You texted me, but I don’t know you,” he said. She stared at him.
“Are you HG O’Neal?” She frowned and looked like she might cry, but he nodded at her.
“Yes, that’s me,” he said.
She shook her head, cursing beneath her breath. She was a pretty woman. Small, petite even, with long silky blonde hair and big blue eyes. The little boy stared at her, holding on for dear life.
“I’m sorry, it appears my sister lied to me.”
“Lied to you about what?” asked HG.
“About you being the father of my nephew.” HG wanted to laugh, but the boy looked so scared, he didn’t want to frighten him.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know you or your sister,” said HG. “And, no offense, but it appears there’s no way I could be the boy’s father.”
“No shit,” she muttered.
“You cussed, Aunt Maggie,” said the boy.
“I know, I’m sorry,” she said hugging him. “Listen, my sister said that she had s-e-x with you, and he was the result. She died about two weeks ago, and I needed to try and find his father, but apparently, she didn’t even remember who it was. I’m sorry I bothered you.”
She started to walk away, and something in HG’s gut tugged at him. He knew when a woman was in trouble, and this woman was in trouble. What he wanted to know was it all about the kid.
“Aunt Maggie, does that mean the bad men are going to get us?”
HG gripped her forearm, gently holding her in place. All of the men stared at her, then at the little boy.
“What bad men?” asked HG.
“Look, it’s obviously not your problem. We’ll be fine.” She tried to pull her arm free, but HG wasn’t letting her go.
“Why don’t you let my brother take,” he stared at the boy, then leaned forward to smile at him. “What’s your name, big guy?”
“Wyatt,” he said in his aunt’s neck.
“He’s kind of shy, and he scares easily.” Bone looked at the table where they’d been sitting. There was a small bit of fruit on the table and one piece of toast.
“Hey, Wyatt?” he smiled at the boy. “Do you like waffles?”
“Yes,” he nodded.
“Well, if Aunt Maggie says it’s okay, I’m in the mood for waffles.”
“Me too!” said Adam.
“Me too!” said Ben. Wyatt laughed at the big men, and Maggie gave a small smile.
“He’ll be safe with them,” said HG. “Why don’t we sit right over there. You’ll be able to see him. We’re ex-military. My brothers and I were in the Marines, and Adam and Ben are brothers who were Army Rangers.”
She nodded, handing Wyatt to the big man offering waffles. She watched as they sat at a table just a few feet away.
“Why don’t you sit here so you can keep an eye on him,” said HG. “Now, why don’t you tell me first how you got my name and number.”
“My sister died unexpectedly. She told me about a year ago that the father’s name was written on a piece of paper in her lockbox. This is that piece of paper,” she said, sliding it across the table. Hoot stared at it along with HG and shook their heads.
