Protecting Her Secret Son Page 17

  And Bradley must have discovered the test results and kidnapped Aiden to punish them both. He’d killed Gary for the betrayal. She would be next. Her stomach rolled. She had to breathe through her nose to keep from getting sick.

  “I can’t have this conversation here,” she said, her voice hoarse.

  “That’s fine. You’ll need to speak with his attorney, sign some documents, that kind of thing. I have the relevant highlights from the file here for you, so you don’t have to go into it cold in front of strangers at the law office. Call me when you can talk, or come on by.”

  She fumbled with the phone, ending the call. Tremors rattled through her.

  Aiden’s sweet giggle caught her attention and she forced her lips into a smile as she watched Mitch and another firefighter help Aiden decorate slice-and-bake sugar cookies. She would miss the life they’d built here, miss the friends who had become her family.

  No choice, she told herself ruthlessly. Bradley wouldn’t quit, wouldn’t give up, once revenge settled into his mind. They had to leave, had to run. It might already be too late.

  * * *

  At Chief Anderson’s encouragement, Daniel entered the office first. “Sorry to interrupt the tour,” the chief said, closing the door.

  “No problem,” Daniel said. He knew Mitch would get a kick out of Aiden. “Did you get the truck for him?”

  “Yeah, sure, we’ve got that ready to go.” Chief Anderson sat on the corner of his desk. “Even got it wrapped.”

  “Great, thank you.” Daniel reached for his wallet. “He’ll love it.”

  “Put that away. Everyone was happy to pitch in for the boy.”

  Daniel didn’t argue, though he wanted to. “What’s on your mind, chief?”

  “How are things at the Caldwell house?” the chief asked.

  “Coming along,” Daniel replied. “We’ll be coming down to the wire, but I think they should get moved in a week from Sunday.” It was the last day of his leave. He was looking forward to coming back on shift with that project completed, if for no other reason than his dad would have one less thing to nag him about.

  “Little guy looks to be holding up after the ordeal.”

  “He’s tough as his mother. We had a little glitch at the sitter at first. He’ll get through. His mom is smart about it. She wants to coddle him, but she won’t. Not too much.” Daniel thought about how well she’d defused the signs of stress throughout the day. “Trucks seem to overcome just about every crisis he has.”

  “Good news on all fronts.”

  “I appreciate you letting me give them the full tour today.” Daniel sensed something else at play, pushed a little. “You could’ve said all of this in front of them.”

  Chief Anderson tipped his head. “We’ve missed you around here.” He worked his thumb into an old burn scar that creased the top of his hand. “I’m looking forward to having you back on shift.”

  “Right there with you. If anything, the extra time away has confirmed this is where I need to be.”

  “Not in a week,” Chief Anderson said. “I know the time off was approved and you’re due. Any chance you’d be willing to come back early?”

  Yes. No. Daniel crossed his ankle over his knee and tapped the heel of his shoe. “I really need that week,” he said. Torn between two commitments, three counting Shannon and Aiden, he wasn’t sure how to answer his chief. “What happened?”

  “Structure fire.” Chief Anderson rubbed at the old scar again. “Minor injuries left us short. I can call in someone else, but I want you, Lieutenant. We need you.”

  Ed and the crew on the Caldwell house needed him. And Shannon’s situation was hardly resolved. Daniel resisted the urge to look around for her. He couldn’t just come back on shift tonight or even tomorrow without talking it over with her. Not a conversation he was eager to have. With Stanwood on the loose, he couldn’t leave her unprotected and Grant would need more than a few hours to find someone to watch over them.

  “Are you asking for today?”

  “Tomorrow?” his chief asked hopefully.

  Daniel sucked in a breath, thinking it through. “I need to be at the Caldwell site in the morning.” In his mind, he calculated who among the crew could keep an eye on Shannon if he came in. “I can be here overnight Saturday to Sunday,” he decided. Between Shannon’s new security system and Grant’s resources, they could cover that much. “After that, I’ll have to make some calls. I really need the week.”

  “I’ll take whatever time you can give me.” The chief stood and extended his hand. “Want to tell me what’s really going on with her?”

  No. “Not much to tell that hasn’t been all over the news,” Daniel evaded.

  “Uh-huh.” The chief stared him down, hands at his waist. “She’s pretty.”

  “True, but it’s not like that.” Except it was exactly like that.

  “You’re a lousy liar.” Chief Anderson laughed. “Is she good for you?”

  “Yes,” he said, realizing it was true. Crisis or not, Shannon was good for him. Her son, too. The challenge would be convincing her she could count on him for the day-to-day stuff. He supposed a surprise shift would be a good first test of whether she had it in her to put up with the danger and weird hours of his career. The job had proven too much for his previous relationships and he’d rather know now, before he grew any more attached to Aiden.

  “I’m glad to hear it.” His chief pointed through the glass. “I wish you luck, Lieutenant. Let’s see if the kid likes your present.” He handed Daniel the long rectangular box wrapped in superhero paper.

  When Daniel and the chief reached the kitchen, everyone was admiring a plate of cookies, apparently baked by Aiden with Mitch’s guidance. When Daniel’s eyes met the boy’s, his heart just leaped as the little guy rushed him. “Come look, Daniel! We baked cookies.”

  “Awesome.”

  “This one is yours.” He pointed to a cookie resting on a napkin with his name on it. “It has Superman sprinkles,” he said. “Red and blue and yellow.”

  “Nice. Thanks, bud. We’ve got something for you, too.” Daniel held out the box, watched the boy’s eyes go wide. “Go on.”

  Over his head, he caught Shannon’s eyes going misty, her teeth nipping her lip. Suppressing a laugh or more tears? Asking had to wait as Aiden ripped wrapping paper and gave a whoop of delight. “A fire truck! Mommy, look!”

  The elated reaction Daniel hoped for got even better when Aiden wrapped his arms tight around his neck, then dashed around the room, giving high fives and big thanks to everyone in turn.

  Chapter 9

  Shannon laughed, surprised it was possible, as Aiden made siren noises all the way back home, rolling the big fire truck back and forth across his lap. Once they got in the house, he took it straight to his corner and started a new game with all of his trucks.

  “That was pretty awesome,” she murmured as she and Daniel watched him play.

  “Boy needed a fire truck.”

  And she would be sure it came with them when they relocated. She offered him a beer, took one for herself.

  It drew Daniel’s attention, the opposite of what she’d planned. “Aiden wants his pancakes for dinner, ” she said. “Should I order pizza for us?”

  “Sure, if you add a side of conversation.” He tapped his forehead, then pointed to her. “What’s on your mind?” he asked.

  She didn’t want to tell him. Knew she’d regret it for years if she just walked away without an explanation. For the moment, she convinced herself to send him a letter once she was gone. “Laundry,” she said. “I’ll go get it started if you call for pizza.”

  “Deal,” he said with a smile.

  Sorting clothes, she clutched the shirt the police had given her at the pier. The shirt she’d worn to work had be
en stained with Gary’s blood and no one wanted her son to see that. Her mind replayed the image of Daniel striding toward her, holding Aiden. She closed her eyes, frustrated beyond measure with the situation. He’d done so much for her and her son. She couldn’t stay and put more lives at risk, yet she couldn’t go with a clear conscience.

  Examining the jeans she’d worn yesterday, she searched all the familiar stains and tears from work. When she found more blood soaked into the seams and stitching where she’d knelt beside her friend, she rolled them up to pitch them.

  Something dropped to the floor with a light clatter, skidding out into the kitchen.

  Daniel, on his way in with his own dirty clothes, picked it up. “What’s this?”

  “I don’t know. It fell out of a pocket.” She looked at the small black rectangle resting in his wide palm. “Looks like a flash drive, but I’ve never seen it before.”

  “Where’d you get it?” he asked.

  “I just told you,” she snapped. Immediately contrite, she held up her hands in surrender. “Sorry. I have no idea where it came from.” She turned back, added his clothes and started the washer.

  He turned it over a couple of time until he found the slide that exposed the USB connection. “Don’t you think we should take a look?”

  “Probably.” She swallowed, tried to smile. “Did you order the pizza?”

  “Forty-five minutes,” he replied. “I tacked on a plain cheese for Aiden.”

  “Great. Thanks.”

  “Hey.” He stepped in front of her as she tried to get around him. “You’ve been on edge since the firehouse. Did being there upset you?”

  “No.” Looking into his stunning eyes dark with concern, she realized he expected the answer to be yes. There was too much on her mind to even start digging into that issue.

  “Then...”

  “My bad mood has nothing to do with you or the firehouse.” She’d never find a man like him again, a man who could see through her, a man who connected with her son on a lovely, intangible level. “I could love you,” she said, squeezing the words through the grief gripping her throat.

  His chin dropped and his hands fell away from her arms. “Pardon?”

  She knew he’d heard her. “I could and, and I c-can’t.” She hated Bradley with something darker and more intense than she’d ever felt before. His twisted obsession would drive her away from Daniel before they had a chance to see what might happen. “That’s not fair and I’m sorry.”

  “To hell with fair.” His eyes went wide as he remembered Aiden in the other room.

  “Not the first time he’s heard that one,” she admitted. She noticed he didn’t return the sentiment, or give any hint to his feelings for her. Frankly, she was grateful he let that subject go.

  Daniel pulled her into a hug. “Talk to me, Shannon.”

  “I don’t know where to start.” She listened as Aiden started making siren sounds again. “Grant called me while you met with Chief Anderson.” She peeked around the corner, made sure Aiden wouldn’t hear her, lowered her voice anyway. “Gary faked a paternity test so Bradley wouldn’t ever make a claim on Aiden.”

  “Good Lord.”

  “Exactly.” The tension in her shoulders melted at the understanding in his gaze. “He left instructions with an attorney and, papers, and he gave us money. Significant money according to Grant.”

  He held up the flash drive. “Do you think Gary slipped this to you yesterday?”

  She didn’t care. With a shrug, she focused on the worst piece of the situation. “I have to leave town. Aiden and I are sitting ducks if I stay.”

  “Not tonight. Not until you talk with that attorney and look over those papers.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Bradley is insane, Daniel. He’s probably staked out day and night watching the law firm.”

  “Good point.” Daniel pulled out his phone, sent a message to Grant. “Detective Hertz can send someone over to check.”

  “Daniel, don’t make this harder than it is.”

  He pulled her close to his body and claimed her mouth. She hung on as her body went pliant against him, reveling in the heat and need arcing between them. When he raised his head, she whimpered for more. He obliged. His hands slid over her hips, pressed her closer, his arousal unmistakable.

  “It’s pretty hard on me, too,” he breathed against her throat. She trembled in eager anticipation. “You’re not leaving. Not tonight. Give me that much.”

  She nodded, her voice useless.

  “If it comes to it, I’ll help you pack.” His voice was as rough as sandpaper. “Promise me.”

  “I promise.”

  The doorbell rang and Aiden shouted, “Mommy! Pizza guy is here.”

  “I’ve got it,” Daniel said.

  Alone in the kitchen, she managed to pull herself together. After dinner and a cartoon movie, it took both Shannon and Daniel to get Aiden upstairs and settled into bed. When she was sure he wouldn’t call for one more story or glass of water, she pulled out her laptop so they could check the flash drive.

  “Better do a backup first,” Daniel suggested. “In case something on it tries to eat your files.”

  “I doubt Gary’s goal was to trash my computer,” she said, though she ran the backup.

  She opened the files on the drive, finding electronic documents confirming what Grant had said. Daniel blew out a breath through pursed lips. “Damn.”

  “What?” She shot him a look.

  “Now if I say I love you, you’ll think I’m after your money.”

  She elbowed him, not willing to revisit that conversation. He just took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “Keep going.”

  They opened and read each file and by the time they were done, Gary’s last words made sense to her. “He wasn’t cold. Well, maybe he was. But he was definitely saying ‘cold case.’”

  Daniel leaned forward, squinted a little as she scrolled through the document. “An affidavit?”

  “This is a statement that he saw Bradley commit murder in New York.” She sat back and read it once more. “We’d been married about three months and he’d taken me out to the Hamptons.” She remembered the victim Gary mentioned. “I’d been hoping to find something that linked Bradley to a crime back then. Gary did it for me.”

  “And Aiden.” He stroked her back, massaged her neck in a way that left her wanting to purr. “You need to give this to Detective Hertz.”

  “Yes.” She copied the files, saving them to the cloud. “I don’t want to send it by email in case Bradley has someone in the police department feeding him information.”

  “Okay, but I’m letting Grant know we’ll be by to see him tomorrow afternoon.”

  She shook her head, closed the flash drive, then shut down her computer. “Another day away from the Caldwell house isn’t good for business.”

  “We’ll manage. For tonight, I have an idea to get your mind off all of this.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  He turned her chair, dragged her up into his lap and kissed her. With his hands roaming over her body, learning her, he proved pleasure was an effective distraction against the trouble outside these walls.

  Breathless, needy, her heart stopped at her son’s sharp cry from upstairs.

  “Nightmare,” she said, sliding off Daniel’s lap. “Give me a rain check?”

  “Count on it.” He caught her chin, gave her a quick kiss before she darted away.

  * * *

  Daniel closed his eyes and leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees while he waited for sanity and self-control to return. He couldn’t let her run. These documents had to give Hertz something to help them find Stanwood. Find him and lock him up for a lifetime.

  He listened to her singing softly to her son, the lul
laby soothing him, too. When the dryer buzzed, he dealt with it, folding and sorting clothes in three distinct sizes. When did it become natural to do these things for someone else? The answer didn’t matter, only his resolve. He wasn’t letting her run.

  The thought followed him as he made his bed on the couch, kept him awake for too long as he worried about tomorrow’s shift. He’d meant to talk to her about it. Now it would have to wait until morning.

  And morning came too soon, waking him with the rich aroma of fresh coffee, the sound of her in the kitchen. He stumbled up the stairs, doused himself with a cold shower. When he made it back to the kitchen, he immediately resented her for looking so fresh when he felt like hell. “Morning.”

  “Good morning,” she said brightly. “We’re going with you today,” she said, handing him the full coffee mug. “You need all hands on deck to finish the Caldwell house.”

  Still bitter about the flooring delay, he gulped down the hot, smooth coffee. “You aren’t ready to leave Aiden at the sitter,” he replied as the caffeine cleared the cobwebs from his brain.

  He’d dreamed about her all night. Dreamed of shaping those soft breasts with his hands while she moved over him, took him deep. Dreamed of finding a way behind that frosted glass wall. He’d dreamed of days in the park, watching her son jump fearlessly from a swing. Teaching him to measure, cut, build as he’d been taught. To have a hand in raising that wild, free spirit into a man. His heart simply wasn’t his anymore. It seemed a lifetime ago he’d been wishing to know her better. Now he did and he couldn’t bear the idea of walking away.

  Of letting her walk away with the boy.

  If Hertz and his team didn’t haul in Stanwood soon and throw away the key with the affidavit from Loffler, Daniel would keep his word and help her pack. Hell, he’d drive the getaway car himself, as long as she planned an escape for three rather than two.

  She’d fight him on his choice to go, point out all the reasons he should stay. He’d fight back and find some way to counter those arguments. He knew how to build a strong foundation, one strong enough for her dreams, his and Aiden’s, too.