Beneath the Scars (Masters of the Shadowlands #13)(36)
A good kick? Her baby had left the house at night and been assaulted by two men. He could have died. Furious words piled up in her throat. Don’t yell, don’t yell. Her jaw cramped from holding everything back.
Her boy had been terrified. Alone. Lost. He’d suffered more than enough consequences for a foolish action. “Why weren’t you on your bike?”
“Got a flat tire.” He tried to sit up straighter.
Despite the pang of letting him go, she opened her arms. “You went to see your birth father.”
“Yeah. I told him I was his kid.” He stared at his sneakers. He had big feet, like a gangling dog still growing into his paws.
“It didn’t go well,” she prompted.
The streetlights outside the moving car provided enough light to see tears fill his eyes.
She would have killed Everett if he’d been in reach.
“He said I wasn’t his.” Carson’s lower lip trembled. “Only I know I am. I look like him.”
She forced her tone to stay quiet and even. “Yes. You do.”
“An’ you don’t lie. You never lie.”
When she heard the certainty in his voice, tears blurred her vision. Her son had watched her deal out truth even when she hadn’t wanted to, when it was awkward or ugly or had unhappy results. He believed her.
Don’t cry. Blinking hard, she drew in a breath through her nose. “There is no doubt he is your father, Carson. I’d never been with anyone before him and wasn’t for years after.”
Only her voice and the low hum of the car engine broke the silence in the car. She took her son’s hand. “I was young and foolish. He said he wasn’t with his wife and was getting divorced, and I believed him. When I was pregnant with you, he was afraid his wife and friends would find out.”
She swallowed and continued. “He’s never been willing to risk losing what he has, even to gain an amazing son.”
Carson returned to staring at his feet, and his mouth twisted into an unhappy line.
“I’m sorry this didn’t turn out the way you wanted it to.”
His short nod acknowledged her words.
The rest of the drive was in silence.
Holt pulled her car under the carport and opened the back door.
The anger and worry had drained her, and as she tried to stand, her knees buckled.
“Whoa, pet.” With a muscular arm around her waist, he steadied her until her legs stopped wobbling.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“Mmmhmm.” Keeping his arm around her, he waited for Carson to jump out, locked the car, and escorted them into her house.
Once inside, Holt released her. Looking down, he gave Carson a half smile. “Considering the level of hygiene your muggers displayed, you might want to take a thorough shower and toss your clothes in the washer.”
“Oh. Gross.” Carson’s nose wrinkled.
Josie couldn’t suppress a laugh. She waved toward his bedroom. “Agree. Shower and laundry.”
Carson took two steps, turned, and looked at Holt. “Thank you.”
Rather than laughing it off, Holt tilted his head gravely. “You’re very welcome.”
As Carson trudged toward his bedroom, Josie faced Holt. “You have my thanks as well. So many thanks. I wouldn’t have…” She was going to have nightmares about those two men. “You saved him.”
“Hey, we’re neighbors. Neighbors help out.” He glanced toward the bedroom. “You’ve raised a good kid, Josie. You should be proud.”
Startled by the unexpected compliment, she looked up…and into his eyes. Eyes the color of a windy sky, only so very warm. Heat pooled inside as she saw him for what he was—more than just a gorgeous male. He was an incredibly confident, masculine man whom she’d leaned on all evening. He’d soothed her panic without making her feel inadequate. His sensible orders, given in a firm, controlled voice, had calmed her even more.
He’d kept her boy safe.
“Will you be all right?” He curled his hand around her nape in a warm grip.
His touch was so comforting she rubbed her cheek against his forearm. “Yes, Sir. I will now.”
“Then get some sleep, sweetheart.” The sun lines at the corners of his eyes deepened. “You’ll have a sulky boy on your hands tomorrow.” After kissing her forehead, he tucked her keys into her hand and walked out, closing the door softly behind him.
Chapter Seven
Josie tossed and turned all night. But what mother wouldn’t? Her son had run away and been attacked. She’d finally pushed those nightmares aside only to dream of Holt. Of repaying him…in a very carnal fashion. She’d rewarded him and been rewarded in turn. Those steely blue eyes had watched her as he’d ordered her to…to do all sorts of erotic activities that weren’t appropriate at all. Bad Josie.
She needed to keep her distance from him. Carson was in a vulnerable state, especially since Everett had crushed his hopes. And here was Holt who’d saved the day in a tough-guy fashion that had to impress a young boy. He’d sure impressed her.
But if they got involved at all, Carson couldn’t help but view Holt as a father figure. And when the man realized how much work a child and a baggage-ridden woman were and moved on, her son’s heart would be broken. She couldn’t risk her baby’s heart.