Brock pointed at Abe. “You just said shit.”
“Shit.” Abe’s eyes darted to Parker. “Sorry, baby.”
“His name’s Parker.” Wade eased a little closer to her side. “And he’s not a baby.”
“What would you call him then?” Brock lifted his brows at Wade who looked to Bess.
“He’s a toddler.”
Wade nodded once. “Toddler.” His attention turned back to Bess. “Does that mean he can walk?”
The question was softer than the words that came before it.
Bess nodded. “He started walking when he was ten months old.”
“Ten months.” Wade’s eyes trained on Parker as he started grabbing at the heavy canvas of the white coat he was wearing. “What else has he already done?”
The question made her chest ache a little. “He’s done lots of things.”
And Wade missed all of them.
She’d always imagined finding the man she believed fathered her son, and every time he was ecstatic. Thrilled to find her, and beside himself over being a dad. But that was a fantasy. One she never in a million years thought would turn into reality.
And it hadn’t.
Right now Wade seemed anything but happy. The line of his lips was tight and thin as he straightened. “We have to go over some things. Are you okay on your own while I talk with the team?”
Bess stood tall. “I want to come too.” If it involved her son’s safety then she intended to be front and center.
Wade glanced at the other three men in the room. “Give us a minute.”
Without a word they left, pulling the door closed behind them. Wade waited until the knob clicked into place before turning to her, his eyes serious. “If you’re there they won’t be honest. They will hold back on the truth because they’ll expect it to upset you.”
“It won’t.”
“I know that, but they don’t, Sweetheart.” Wade moved in closer until the thick barrier of his coat brushed the arms holding her son. “I will tell you everything, but you can’t be there. Not right now.”
She was stuck. Left at the mercy of a group of men she didn’t know, forced to go along with what they deemed best and safest.
She’d seen how that went.
“They said we would be safe here.” The relief she initially felt being in Alaska was gone. For the first time since this all started Bess thought it was all going to be okay. That there would finally be something stronger than her standing between Parker and the man she never should have given so much of her time. “They said he wouldn’t find us.”
It was why she agreed to come here. Because it seemed like it should be true. There’s no way Chris should have been able to find her here. It was freaking Alaska for God’s sake.
Wade’s hands came up to cradle her face. “They were right, Bess. You are safe here.”
She swallowed hard as all the feelings she carried for the past two years threatened to show themselves. How could she feel so much for a man she’d spent less than twenty-four hours with?
“He might find you, but he will never hurt you. Not ever again.” The last word was harsh. Angry.
“I didn’t know he was like this.”
“That’s not a good sign, Sweetheart.” Wade held her as she tried to step away, his hands on her face firm, but still so very gentle. “If you didn’t know he was like this then he’s crazy as hell.” His thumbs stroked over her cheeks. “If he fooled you then he can fool anyone.” Wade’s gaze shifted to one side for just a minute before coming back to hers. His big body eased in a little more, getting as close as was possible with a baby in the middle of them. Parker’s head dropped to her chest. He’d been getting heavier over the course of the conversation and would be asleep any second.
“I should put him down for a nap.”
Wade’s hands slowly eased away. “His momma should take a nap too.” He leaned in to press a kiss to her forehead. “There’s eyes all over this place. No one will get close again.” He backed away. “If you need me, I’ll be in the office.”
When he was gone she crossed to the window and used one finger to peek out the blinds. The long driveway was filled with black SUVs that looked identical to the one that picked her up from the airport and brought her here.
Her father told her the company he hired was the best there was, but this was so much more than she expected.
And Chris still found her.
Or someone Chris hired. There were two men on that snowmobile lurking at the back of the cabin, and unless they were looking for whoever Wade’s company holed up here before her, then that only meant one thing.
Even the best around might not be able to keep Parker safe.
Bess let the blind fall into place and went to the giant king-sized bed that barely made a dent in the footprint of the room. She carefully laid her sleeping son in the center of the mattress, propping a pillow behind his back before crawling on the bed beside him and curling around his tiny body.
She was so tired. Tired of worrying. Tired of always having to be careful. Tired of the fear that ruled her life.
But whether he wanted her or not, Wade seemed ready and willing to take that burden on. God knows he was big enough to carry it.
And maybe she should let him.
Just for a little while.
****
“BESSIE, SWEETHEART.”
Her eyes flew open and she sat straight up, blinking at the unexpected darkness of the room. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Everything is fine.” Wade’s voice was calm but her heart was still racing.
She reached out for Parker. The second her hand met empty space Bess was off the bed and racing to the door. “He’s gone. Parker’s gone again.”
Wade was on her in a second, grabbing her from behind, pulling her back against the width of his chest. “Parker is okay. He’s with Brock in the kitchen.” His hold on her tightened. “What do you mean, again?”
Bess let out the air trapped in her lungs. Parker was safe.
“Chris took him.” Her chin threatened to shake at the memory. The absolute helplessness she felt knowing her baby was with a monster. It was the last time she trusted anyone else to take care of Parker. In the blink of an eye he was gone. “Threatened to kill me if I came after him.”
“What did you do?” His tone was eerily calm. Like they were talking about the weather.
“I went after him.” Her fingers found the spot on her arm, sliding over the smooth scars she earned that day.
Wade was silent behind her. Strong and solid at her back.
How many times could she have used his presence? Would it have kept Chris from doing the things he did?
Maybe. Maybe not.
“Not many people would do something like that. You’re very brave.”
Bess nodded. It was all she could manage. All she trusted herself to do. Breaking down was never an option. Parker needed her to be strong. To be what Wade called her.
Brave.
“I meant what I said earlier, Bess. I won’t stop until he’s dead.” Wade’s voice was cold. An icy promise that did nothing but warm her inside.
Because she would do the same if the opportunity presented itself. “Killing someone is illegal.”
It was the only thing that kept her from doing unthinkable acts. Knowing her son would have to grow up without her.
“That’s one way to look at it.” Wade’s arms relaxed a little.
Bess turned her head to look at him over one shoulder. “Is there another way?”
His eyes were unwavering as they held hers. “The world is just better off without some people.”
“Chris is one of those people.” She was one of the only ones who knew it until the day he took Parker. Bess tried to tell anyone who would listen. Her attorney. The advocate assigned to her case. She told them all he was spiraling into someone she didn’t recognize. None of them listened.
Probably because Wade was right. Chris was a m
aster of manipulation. He’d managed to do it to her for years, and only when she finally walked away did he let the beast loose, and it had been breathing down her neck ever since.
“Not for long.” Wade’s hand covered hers, easing her fingers from the spot that would never let her forget that day. His touch was feather light as it smoothed over her scarred skin, finding each jagged edge of the slice Chris gave her for daring to take back her baby.
“He’s a senator’s son.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
Bess spun to face him. “Bullshit.” Anger flared, hot and ready. “It’s why he’s free now. Even after everything he’s done, he is out there, walking around while I can’t leave the house without looking over my shoulder every second, worried he’s going to try to finish what he started.”
“He’s going to try. That’s why you’re here.” Wade’s words were too calm. Too relaxed.
“So I just have to sit here and wait for him to come get me? For him to take Parker from me again?”
Wade shook his head. “I said try, Sweetheart. He won’t touch you again.” His hands skimmed up her arms. “Not ever.” He caught a few strands of her hair, dark eyes watching as it slipped through his fingers. “And he won’t so much as set eyes on Parker. I can promise you that.”
“Wade?”
Wade didn’t turn toward the voice coming from the doorway. “What do you need?”
“I think little man crapped his pants, and that’s above my pay grade.”
Wade’s eyes skimmed over her face one more time before he stepped away to where Brock stood with Parker in his arms. Parker watched Wade with an unusual amount of intensity, waiting until the large man was within arm’s reach before giving him a grin, showing off his eight perfect teeth.
Brock passed Parker off, glancing Bessie’s way. “He’s a cute kid.”
“Thank you.” Her arms felt restless waiting for Wade to bring Parker to her. She’d kept him close for so long it felt empty without him in her arms. Parker’s smile widened as Wade lifted him into a prone position and flew him like an airplane into her waiting embrace. By the time he reached her, Parker was belly laughing so hard his giggles were barely audible. Bess caught him and held him close, resting her nose on his head and breathing deep.
Wade was right beside her in an instant. “I swear to you, Bess. No one will get close to Parker again.”
It sounded great.
And she wanted to believe it more than anything, but she’d seen firsthand the lengths Chris was willing to go to in the name of punishing her.
That’s what this was really about. Not Parker. Not his desire to have a son he believed was his.
This was all about her. Chris had never been told no in his life. She was the first to deny him anything.
“He doesn’t really care about Parker.” The admission was almost painful to make. She’d never said it out loud. Not to anyone.
Because it meant she was the one who brought this on her son.
Wade’s jaw ticked. “Clearly.” He leaned in closer, one hand coming to rest on her back, the other on Parker’s, adding a strange feeling of safety with just a touch. “Men who care about their kids respect their mother, whether she wants to be with them or not.”
Bess rubbed her lips together to cover the tremble of her chin. “This is my fault.”
“You know damn well it’s not.”
In theory, yes. She knew the fault here all rested on one person. That didn’t make it feel true. “It’s easy to say, but—”
“If you really believe this is your fault, then ultimately it makes it my fault.” Wade stepped away, taking the safety his presence brought with him. “If it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t have Parker to use against you.” He started to say something else but stopped, barely shaking his head before continuing. “Change Parker and come eat something.”
For some reason his desire to take all the blame in the situation didn’t sit well. “You’re being bossy.”
“I am bossy.” He pointed to the stack of diapers sitting on the dresser. “Do it.”
She barely had the scoff all the way out before he was gone, leaving her staring after him.
Parker bounced a little in her arms, sending a whiff of dirty-diaper stink into the air.
“Ugh.” Bess let out a loud sigh as she made her way across the thick-piled carpet of the giant room. “He’s a pain in the a—” She eyed her son. “Butt.”
She was just finishing up the diaper change when soft steps padded into the room behind her. Bess spun, ready to tell Wade she would eat when she was damn well ready.
Brock stopped walking, his dark brows lifting. “I hope that look’s not for me.”
“What look? There is no look.” Bess popped her hip, resting her son’s freshly-diapered butt against it.
“There’s definitely a look.” Brock grinned. “I fuckin’ love it.” His dark eyes widened, bouncing to Parker before coming back to her. “I meant freakin’.”
Bess waited for him to go on. Instead Brock just kept grinning at her. “What do you need?”
“I’m supposed to make sure you eat something.” Brock took a step back. “I’m willing to lure you to the kitchen with an inordinate amount of charm and flattery.”
“I’m not that kind of girl.”
“That takes away about half of my arsenal then.” Brock barely turned his head to one side. “Are you a chocolate cake sort of girl?”
Bess hoped he was far enough away to miss the rumble of her stomach. It had been forever since she’d been able to enjoy food. The constant fear she’d lived with went straight to her belly, making it almost impossible to finish a meal before the urge to throw up came. “You think you can bribe me with cake?”
Brock shook his head. “Not me.”
Wade.
It would figure he’d somehow magically know her affinity for cake. The man had miraculously been able to check off boxes she didn’t know existed from the very beginning. “Where is Wade?”
“Not scared to come back in here if that’s what you’re asking.” Brock gave her a wink. “At least that’s what he claims.” Wade’s partner backed toward the door. “He’s on a call with Shawn and Dutch. They’re trying to figure out who came by for a visit.”
Bess started to follow him, the thought of cake propelling her on. “Why are you telling me this?”
Wade said his team would hold back if she was there, worried the truth would scare her. Obviously they didn’t know how much it took to scare her these days.
“Wade said I should tell you anything you wanted to know.”
“Did he?” Bess took a step toward the door, this time moving for more than chocolate cake. “Where is Wade now?”
“In the office. You wanna go?” Brock’s grin was back.
“I do.”
Brock nodded toward the great room outside the door. “Come on.”
Bess followed him into the great room which now smelled much different than before she fell asleep. “You baked a cake?” She’d assumed the cake Brock offered was brought in from the store, but the telltale scent of freshly-baked chocolate made it seem otherwise.
“Not me darlin’.” He barely knocked on one of the closed doors on the other side of the house before opening it and standing aside. “He’s all yours.”
Bess stepped in, forcing herself not to hesitate. Wade’s eyes were on her the second she cleared the doorway. He stood from the chair he’d been sitting in, cell pressed to his ear as he nodded to a set of armchairs beside a large window. “Where do the tracks stop at?”
She sat in one of the chairs as Wade came to the one next to it, dragging it closer to hers before sitting down.
“Someone picked them up then.” He reached for a Rubik’s cube sitting on the table beside him and passed it to Parker as he leaned back in his chair, resting one hand on her son’s back as his eyes stayed on hers. “That’s true.”
He listened for a few more minutes, occasionally offering
a few words in agreement, before hanging up.
Wade’s eyes moved over her face for a minute. Finally he took a long breath and leaned in.
“We need to talk.”
CHAPTER 5
THAT DIDN’T SOUND good.
“About?”
“Chris filed an emergency injunction.”
Her temporary reprieve from the nausea ruling her stomach was over. Bess swallowed down the urge to gag. “What does that mean?”
“It means he’s claiming you illegally took his child out of state.”
“He’s not on Parker’s birth certificate. He has no legal claim to him. None.” It was the one leg she had to stand on this whole time.
“He’s also trying to force the paternity test.”
Her belly squeezed the way it always did at those two words, threatening to empty her stomach of the nothing inside it. “He can’t do that. They already denied him.”
“He can contest the decision. You know that.” Wade scooted to the edge of his chair and rested his hands on her knees. “You can beat him to the punch.” His eyes fell to the little boy between them. “I can have someone here in the morning. We can have the results in twenty-four hours.”
“They take longer than that.” She’d looked into it. Checked to see exactly how many days she would have to disappear if Chris was ever successful with his bid to have his DNA tested against Parker’s.
Wade’s lips barely lifted in a smile. “Maybe for most people.”
In less than two days she could know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, who Parker’s father was. “What if it’s him?”
Wade stood up and reached one hand out to her. “If I didn’t already know who Parker belonged to I wouldn’t be doing the test, Sweetheart. This is just a formality.”
“It won’t help anything.” She struggled to swallow. “It might even make things worse.”
Wade’s smile lifted a little more. “I’m counting on that.” He stepped closer, reaching for her with his outstretched hand. “Come on. It’s time to eat.”
Bess leaned deeper into her seat as her stomach started to roll. “I’m not hungry.”
Loss Recovery (Alaskan Security: Team Rogue Book 1) Page 4
