Defending Raven (Mountain Mercenaries #7)(28)
That thought hit him hard.
Their son.
When his brain had made the switch from her son to theirs, he wasn’t sure. It was almost instantaneous. But now that the thought was there, it was as good as done.
After they’d found out they couldn’t have children together, they’d talked about adoption. They’d decided it didn’t matter how a child came into their lives, just that they would be a mother and father. This was no different. David might not be his biologically, but Raven loved him, and he loved his wife. Therefore, the child was now a part of Dave’s life. Period.
Determination rose up within him. Del Rio had taken enough from his family. He wouldn’t take this too.
He opened his email program and shot off a quick message to his contact who had gotten him a passport for Raven. He needed a picture, and proof that David was Raven’s biological child, but he had no doubt that he could obtain both. Getting the child out of the prison he was being held in would be trickier, especially considering how heavily guarded del Rio’s properties were. But knowing his Mountain Mercenaries, they’d figure out something.
For the first time since reuniting with Raven, Dave felt confident that they’d make their way back to some semblance of the relationship they’d had before she’d disappeared. There would be bumps in the road, but they’d get there. Together.
Chapter Seven
Mags wasn’t sure what woke her up.
She’d lain on her pallet tossing and turning for way too long before finally drifting off to sleep the night before. Today was Friday, and she’d get to see David. Would be able to hear his boyish giggle, see his beautiful smile. He was the only thing that helped her get from one day to the next.
However, her heart was aching because of Dave.
She’d secretly hoped he would somehow understand, and would want both her and her son. She knew it was too much to ask. That even as great as her husband was, he’d never be able to accept another man’s child as his own. And after he’d left without a word, Mags knew she’d been right. How could any man want to be with her after hearing the stark truths about what she’d done?
Dave was amazing, but if Mags could barely deal with what her life had become, how could he?
Sighing heavily, she started to turn over—freezing when an arm curled around her waist and a body pressed against her back.
“It’s me,” Dave whispered.
Instead of freaking out and pulling away in terror when he touched her, something deep inside Mags instantly settled. As if her body recognized that Dave wasn’t an enemy. She wasn’t completely comfortable with him touching her, but she didn’t feel threatened either.
She used to be a cuddler, but since her kidnapping, the feel of a man crowding her made her physically sick. She felt a little queasy at the moment, but not enough to hurl last night’s dinner.
“How did you get in here without anyone hearing you?” she asked, trying to ignore the feelings stirred up by the large man behind her.
“I’m just that good,” Dave said with slight humor in his tone. “Now hush and listen to me.”
Mags opened her mouth to respond, but he didn’t give her a chance to say anything.
“I’m sorry I left like I did earlier. I was shocked. Hell, I was flabbergasted. Never in my wildest dreams did I think a child was the reason you didn’t want to leave Peru. But once I got back to the motel and had a chance to think, I realized David is a miracle . . . just like his mother. And you were right, I was an ass to say that I knew what you went through. I don’t know a damn thing. But one thing I do know is that I love you, Raven. And no matter how long it takes, I’m going to get you and our son out of here and back home where you both belong. We all deserve a happily ever after, and I’m determined to make that happen.”
Mags couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She’d only partly been listening, trying to fight her body’s reaction to having him near, but when he’d started talking about her son, she couldn’t not listen.
“Our son?” she whispered.
“Our son,” Dave confirmed.
“Dave,” she choked out, but he wasn’t finished.
“I want to go with you today. To see him.”
She shook her head violently. “No, you can’t! Del Rio will find out, and he won’t let me see him anymore!”
Dave gently turned her so she was on her back looking up at him.
Mags couldn’t help it. She panicked. It had been a long time since she’d been at the mercy of a man, but some things just couldn’t be forgotten.
The second she started to lose it, Dave realized what was happening. He rolled them gently until she was straddling his stomach.
The change in position made her panic recede a bit. She still wasn’t comfortable, still felt way too vulnerable, but he’d put his arms up and out to his sides, so he wasn’t touching her. He wasn’t holding her on top of him in any way.
“Easy, Raven. I won’t hurt you,” he said quietly.
Reaching deep down for her bravery, Mags made herself stay right where she was.
Even after a decade, after all the men who hadn’t cared one bit about her feelings or what she wanted, she knew Dave wouldn’t hurt her. “You can’t come with me,” she reiterated.
“I’ll stay hidden when we get close to the house,” Dave said. “But I need to know where David is. What kind of guards there are, what the obstacles will be to getting him out. Sweetheart, rescuing children from kidnappers is what the Mountain Mercenaries and I do. Besides, I can’t stand to be apart from you even one more day. I’ve tried to give you space, haven’t followed you, even if everything inside me was telling me to do so. Please. Even if you’re inside the house, and I’m outside, at least I’m near you.”