Protecting Her Secret Son Read online

  At the car she’d borrowed from Tess, Daniel reached over his head and turned Aiden upside down as he put him on the ground. The delighted squeal melted her heart, making her wish once more for a life that probably wasn’t in the cards.

  She had to consider that she and Aiden would be in danger, even after her ex was in custody. He would use every resource to take aim at her again before he let her testify against him. Gary’s last words echoed in her head again. That was why she’d resorted to baking and delivering cookies. She’d been reading the journals he’d left for her and getting nowhere on the whole “you know” deal.

  A sweet, happy-ever-after family life with Daniel wasn’t just wishful thinking, it was a pipe dream at this rate. Knowing it, she should cut herself off from him now, move on before Aiden got any more attached to Daniel or his parents.

  A little sad, she kissed Aiden’s cheek as she buckled him into the booster seat.

  When she’d closed the door, she was ready to tell Daniel she’d move out of the garage apartment before he got home. Somehow she’d find the words to explain it to Aiden.

  “Be careful driving home,” he said, reaching up to smooth her bangs away from her eyes. His palm cupped her jaw, his thumb cruising over her cheekbone as he studied her.

  She knew he saw too much. “Daniel.”

  “Don’t say it.” He drew her face close, gave her a toe-curling kiss. “More, don’t do it.”

  “What?” She was still processing the way he’d kissed her out here, in full view of anyone who cared to look this way.

  “You’re thinking of leaving again. Don’t do it. The apartment is the safest place for you and Aiden.” He pressed a hand to his side. “For all of us.”

  She waited, but still he didn’t volunteer any information about what was hurting him or where this was coming from. Remembering the conversation from last night, she wouldn’t push. If he was on duty, she trusted him to be fit for duty.

  “Okay. I’ll stay.” They both heard the unspoken “for now.” Take what you can get, she thought. Give back all you can. There wasn’t a better approach under the circumstances. Wrapping her fingers around the car key in her pocket, she gave him a smile. “Tell everyone to be safe. I hope they enjoy the cookies.”

  “Shannon.” He caught her hand. “If you need anything before I get off shift, go to Mom.”

  She nodded, not trusting her voice.

  “We had an incident on an earlier call.”

  “Incident?” she echoed, keeping her voice steady.

  “A bystander took a few shots at the truck during our first call of the day. It happens.” He circled an area on his torso. “I landed on some equipment when we were taking cover. Bruised a couple of ribs.”

  She let that sink in, knowing he didn’t want her fussing over him. He was standing here, clearly aching, but well. The time to worry had passed.

  “The police are handling it. Witnesses are describing the perp in a way that makes me think of Stanwood,” he added. “Hertz said the decoy failed.”

  Her stomach lurched, and she struggled to keep it together. “Did you see the shooter?”

  “No.” He sighed and scrubbed a hand over his hair. “It’s probably unrelated.” His shoulders shifted. “I’m only a little banged up.”

  “Okay.”

  He shoved his hands into his pockets. “You’re not upset?”

  “No. I admit I’m not happy you’re banged up in any way, shape or form. What kind of friend would that make me?” She gave him an exaggerated once-over from head to toes and back again. “You’re a grown-up and you look well enough.” Giving in to impulse, she pressed her lips to his cheek and then stepped back, keeping it casual. “We’ll be safe, you do the same. Deal?”

  “Deal,” he agreed with a nod.

  She escaped around the car, grateful her smile and knees held out until she was behind the wheel. As she drove away, she kept the obscenities in her head where her son wouldn’t hear them. No, she didn’t care for Daniel being hurt in the line of duty, but if it was Bradley who had shot at him that made her an accessory. Not in the legal sense, on a moral scale, and it weighed heavily on her heart.

  He’d been inconvenienced from the moment the kidnappers had taken Aiden. Things had only gotten worse—and better—since they’d rescued Aiden whole and healthy.

  Bradley was a brutal egomaniac on the best of days. Only the obsession for revenge explained why he’d stay in town after Loffler’s murder, why he’d shoot at Daniel.

  “Who am I kidding?” she asked aloud while Aiden sang along with a playful and happy children’s song. “He’s never going to quit.”

  “Who, Mommy?”

  “Lex Luthor,” she said automatically thinking of Superman’s nemesis. Where was Bradley hiding? She took the turn toward the Jennings’ house with guilt nipping her heels that she couldn’t decipher what Gary was convinced she knew. If the police couldn’t find the evidence connecting Bradley to the recent kidnapping and murders, she had to find something else that would stick.

  “What cold case did he mean?” she asked herself as she pulled into the driveway and parked the car. She dug out Gary’s journal from her tote and flipped back to the earliest pages. “Oh! It took me long enough. Sorry, Gary.”

  “Who’s Gary?”

  “An old friend,” she answered, suddenly in a rush to talk to Detective Hertz.

  Following Daniel’s suggestion, she went to his mom for help. Tess was as delighted as Aiden to have some unplanned time together, another sweet tug on Shannon’s heartstrings as she left them waving from the front porch. For the past four years, she’d convinced herself she could meet all of his needs and in the past two weeks, she’d seen that conviction shredded. Aiden needed more than his mother and the sitter’s family. He needed deep, stable connections that she’d never be able to give him if they had to keep hiding from Bradley.

  She used the voice command on her phone to dial Grant, relieved when he agreed to meet her at the police station.

  “Did something happen?” Grant asked again when he found her waiting just inside the doors of the station.

  “You probably heard someone shot at Daniel’s crew as they answered a call earlier today.”

  “No.” Grant rocked back on his heels. “I hadn’t heard.”

  “Daniel implied it’s a coincidence,” she said. “He didn’t see the shooter, but he told me witnesses are describing a man similar to my ex,” she added.

  “You think Stanwood attacked them.”

  “I don’t know,” she admitted. “During our brief marriage, I learned that once he goes into loose-cannon mode he stays there until whatever he thinks needs done is done.”

  “What do you need from me?”

  “Understanding.” She fidgeted with her car key. “When I left him, I took only the settlement and some investment advice from Loffler. I didn’t realize he was giving me something more.” She patted the journal. “He sent me away with some information as insurance, tucked into the divorce papers.” She paused as his painful final moments replayed through her mind. “It should have clicked when I saw the contents of the flash drive.”

  “You’ve been out of that life for some time,” Grant said.

  “And I tried to block out the bad things I did see.” She took a deep breath. “Thanks to Gary’s clever journals, I have information that will put Bradley behind bars and keep him there. Maybe not for these recent crimes, but it will give the police a chance to arrest him for racketeering and bribery at least.”

  Grant reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “I hear he’s between lawyers at the moment, so let’s get to it.”

  She snorted a laugh. “Gallows humor?”

  “It’s effective for a reason.”

  Working his way through the police station, Grant gu
ided her to Hertz’s desk. She made a formal statement about how she came by the information she was handing over. Using the journal Gary had left her and pointing out the key to the coded information in the flash drive files, she gave them properties, dates and high-profile guest names. She even gave them a property address in Society Hill that she and Bradley had visited before they married, where he’d made more than one shady payoff while she’d been too innocent and oblivious to grasp the full impact of those conversations.

  She could be thankful now that names and numbers naturally stuck in her head. Gary’s sacrifice would make a difference and finally bring Bradley to justice. Detective Hertz was organizing a search of the property in Society Hill as she and Grant left and she hoped that tip led to Bradley’s immediate capture.

  “You did well,” Grant said as they walked out of the station to the parking lot. “You’ll tell Daniel, right?”

  “As soon as he’s off shift, yes.”

  Grant donned his sunglasses and opened her car door for her. “He’ll be glad you’re putting this behind you.”

  “For good this time.”

  She hadn’t considered that before, that holding on to an escape plan was a tacit way of clinging to that old life and all the baggage of that tumultuous, violent relationship. Yes, she’d needed the sense of safety at first. Now she was fighting for a life she’d carved out of nothing and it was time to be bold and brave.

  Proactive, she thought with a smile. She couldn’t wait for Daniel to come home. The first thing she needed to say was she loved him. Then she’d tell him she was making a new plan. A plan to stay in Philly. A plan to stay with him forever if he’d have her.

  Chapter 12

  She’d given in to Aiden’s endless begging and stayed for dinner with Daniel’s parents. They might worry over their son or misunderstand his motives for staying with the PFD, but beneath all of that they loved him.

  Even without Daniel, the conversation turned to the construction business. Apparently, Aiden had shared the day’s adventurous search for a flooring solution.

  “Remnants.” Matthew forked up another bite of pot roast. Chewing, his gaze locked on Shannon. “I would’ve insisted on a lesser option with same-day delivery. Daniel would’ve paid more or waited for the original order.

  Shannon reached for her water glass, pleased when her hand didn’t shake as she raised it to her lips. She wasn’t sure of the ground here or what kind of response he expected.

  “Say what you mean, Matthew,” Tess scolded gently, “before she forgets how much she’s enjoying the meal.”

  He cocked an eyebrow, the move so reminiscent of his oldest son, Shannon relaxed. She saw so much of both of them reflected in Daniel and wondered if they’d ever realize that was the crux of the conflict. People looked into mirrors and focused on the flaws, rather than admiring the strengths.

  “Can I have seconds?” Aiden asked.

  At Shannon’s nod, Tess refilled his smaller plate. “I do love having a polite young man at my table.” She smoothed a hand over his pale hair, her eyes a little misty.

  “Say what you mean,” she prompted her husband once more.

  He helped himself to the green beans, then sighed. “I only meant that you found a better solution. Kept the project on track.”

  “Saved half a day,” Aiden mumbled around a mouthful of food.

  Matthew paused in the act of stabbing a green bean and gave into a chuckle.

  “Chew and swallow first,” Shannon reminded her son.

  He did. “You did the happy dance,” Aiden said, daring her to deny it. “I saw it.”

  “I bet she did.” Tess grinned at her.

  Aiden wouldn’t let it rest. “Time matters, you said.”

  “Boy’s right. I wasn’t keen on taking on a pro bono project of that scope, but Daniel insisted.” After a moment, he looked Shannon in the eye. “I appreciate you stepping in when he couldn’t see it through.”

  She bit back the automatic urge to defend Daniel by pointing out he had final say and authorizations. Instead, she offered Matthew a sweet smile. “I enjoy solving problems. It’s a great feeling when the solution works for everyone up and down the chain of command.”

  He aimed a narrow look at her and his wife blotted her lips. Her eyes, the same startling blue as Daniel’s, were twinkling with amusement.

  To Shannon’s relief, he dropped the issue while they finished the meal and the conversation followed Aiden’s favorite topics of trucks and cookies and everything in between.

  When she was finally able to make her exit, Matthew walked her home, carrying a dozing Aiden in his arms.

  She’d first met Matthew Jennings at the construction office of course, but seeing him at home set her back a little. He was a gruff, no-nonsense person and she respected him as a smart and generous businessman. Now she saw him with new eyes, soaking up all the resemblances between father and son. They shared the same tough, proud framework, the critical eye and problem-solving intelligence that made them both so capable as builders, men and providers.

  There was fascinating comfort in that continuity from father to son when a woman was considering the idea of creating a happier future.

  “I thought you were trouble,” he said abruptly.

  Shannon chose not to be offended. “You wouldn’t have been wrong. I hope you realize I didn’t intentionally drag your son or anyone else into my problems.”

  “Got that much by now.” He bounced Aiden gently while she unlocked the door at the top of the steps. “Plan on running off?”

  That question sparked a shower of nerves across her skin. “No.” She pushed the door open, followed him inside. “Not anymore.”

  Matthew settled Aiden in his bed, closed the door and returned to the front room. “You were thinking of running.” He stared her down.

  “As recently as this afternoon,” she admitted.

  “What changed your mind?”

  “I’m in love with your son, Mr. Jennings.” Saying it aloud made her feel better, stronger. It turned her hope for the future into something solid and real. “More important, I love my son. Running from trouble isn’t the example I want to set for him.

  “I can barely remember my parents,” she told him. “Seeing you and your wife reminded me what true love looks like, what a family should look like.”

  Two flags of color stained his cheeks and he shoved his hands into his pockets. “You expect Daniel to step in as that boy’s daddy?”

  “I expect Daniel and I will work out what we need and what happens next.”

  The bushy eyebrows pulled together once more and she knew what he was about to say. “I would never ask Daniel to be something he’s not. Mr. Jennings, you have a phenomenal son with many skills and a heart that calls him to service as a firefighter.”

  Matthew swiveled away from her and stalked to the door. “He got that adrenaline-loving hero complex from his mother’s side. Her dad and her brothers.”

  Not to mention the eyes, she thought, hiding a smile. “Plus another dose directly from you.” She marveled that Matthew couldn’t see it.

  He turned on his heel, his eyes hard and suspiciously bright as he stared her down once more. “I taught him how to measure, cut and build.”

  “Has your business always run well? Did you never take a risk?”

  “Of course there were lean times,” he answered with a huff. “Everyone has them.”

  “Still, you provided, raised your boys with more options than you had. It’s what we want as parents.”

  “Of course.” He relaxed a fraction and the anger in his face gave way to bafflement. “How’d you get to be an expert so fast?”

  She smiled, wishing she could hug him. He looked like he could use it and yet she thought it would get awkward. “Not an expert
as much as an outside perspective. Could you walk away from the business you love?”

  “I’d sure as hell like to retire,” he said, gruffly.

  “Daniel knows you want to retire and he knows you want him to take over. He’s an excellent project leader and a fair boss. Maybe there’s a way to hire someone to bridge the gap as you ease back before he’s ready to step completely into that role.”

  “If ever.”

  “A thousand things could happen on any given shift,” she said. “Thanks to you, Daniel has the firm footing to fall back on.”

  “Unless he dies on the job.”

  He was pushing her, testing her. “A thousand things could happen on any given day on a job site,” she countered. The hitch in her pulse had far more to do with Daniel being attacked by a madman while doing his job, but she wasn’t about to mention that.

  “A father wants the best for his children,” he said, dropping his gaze to the floor. “Is it so wrong to wish him—”

  He dropped to the floor and Shannon panicked. “Matthew?”

  “Floor’s hot,” he said, pressing his palms flat.

  “What?”

  The small window over the kitchen sink cracked and shattered in answer. She ducked down, watching in horror as wicked flames licked up and around the frame and caught on the curtains inside.

  Smoke followed, swiftly fogging over the ceiling. The light fixture over the sink crackled and went out.

  “Get to the door. I’ll get the boy,” Matthew said, turning toward the bedroom on his hands and knees.

  “I’ll call 911.” Her phone was in her purse by the door. Keeping low under the smoke, Shannon crawled toward the front door, the floor hot under her hands and knees. The sounds of the fire eating away at the roof pushed her closer to panic. She found her phone and called 911, hoping the dispatcher understood her through the spate of coughing as she gave the address and reported the fire. “There are three of us in here,” she said between more coughing.

  The dispatcher asked her to stay on the line as another light overhead zapped and went out. The flames cast eerie shadows over what had been a cozy and familiar space. The heat and fumes were disorienting, the smoke stinging her mouth and nose. Through it all, she heard Aiden cry out for her. She dropped the phone and started toward his room.