Page 96 of The Beta's Bargain

“I have the paperwork for you, sir.”

Silas nods and signs four times. “Fantastic. Take these back and call me if there are any issues.”

Silas does a double take when a small child peers around the seat. Mr Anders flushes red.

“I'm sorry, sir, I couldn’t find a sitter.”

Silas clears his throat. “No, it’s fine.” He crouches down and smiles at the little girl, holding out his hand. “Welcome to my resort, Miss?”

“Miss Jazzy.”

“Miss Jazzy, that is a beautiful name,” Silas coos. “Have you enjoyed the flight? Do I need to give the staff a lolly for good behaviour?”

She claps her hands and laughs. “Me, too!”

“Of course, you, too,” Silas says and reaches into the side of an armchair, pulling out three lollipops. The girl throws herself into his arms and giggles.

“Right, well, I think your dad’s going to get you home now. But when you get home, Dad’s going to take a few paid days off and do something fun with you as a special treat. On me.”

“Really? Anything?”

“Well, how about the zoo?” Silas asks. “I got some connections with Mr Hippo, and he says he’s doing a tour tomorrow. Would you like to go see him?”

“Sir, there’s no need, you don't have to-”

“I know I don't have to, Anders, I want to. Take the next couple of days off and enjoy yourself while she’s young. Pass me the papers, I’ll sign the other set now so you can get back.” Silas pulls out his phone and sends a message.

He had a jet fly him his papers to sign? My knees feel wobbly and weak as I watch him turn back towards me. He takes my elbow and smiles, but there’s something strange on his face.

“Whilst I'd love to kidnap you, the others would be furious, but I’m making a note to take you away another day,” Silas murmurs in my ear.

“Silas? What’s wrong?”

He looks away as he leads me back to the car. “I'm okay.”

“You looked spooked when you saw the little girl, don't you like children?” I don’t know why I'm prodding at this, but it feels important.

He lets out an explosive breath. “I love children. I just resigned myself to not having them.”

“But you want them?” I ask slowly.

“More than I want all the money I’m going to inherit,” he says ruefully. “We’ve talked about children a few times. Falcon and Grey wanted to wait for an omega or for us to be more settled as a pack.”

I can’t help but smile.

“I have seven fathers, but I'm the only child. All I wanted growing up was a big family of siblings. When I got older, I realised I wanted my own children. When we saw Dylan, I realised that it wouldn’t be in the traditional sense. We might need to adopt or foster. But then I didn’t think we’d ever get him back. I’d almost given up hope. I hadn’t realised it was even an option again.” He frowns. “Not until right now.”

“Does adoption bother you?”

He shakes his head vehemently. “Not at all. I just…” He purses his lips and looks up at the sky. “I feel like it’s what I'm meant to do. Children are gifts, and I have the money and the means. I have the desire to do this. I want a family, Nyx. Love and laughter are the dream. I want snotty noses and missing socks. School runs and teenage angst. I can’t explain it. I just want it.”

“You make it sound like a dream.”

“It would be for me,” Silas says back.

I lean into his warmth for a moment before I slip into the passenger seat of the car. His desire is heartfelt, I can tell. I don’t think I've really, seriously considered having children, but being so poor and seeing the world how it is hasn’t been constructive towards dreams. I love that he feels like this. It’s like seeing a whole new side of him. But there’s an uneasy feeling stirring inside. We’re worlds apart. My feelings and that jet are two considerations that I bury to dissect later.

For now, I just let Silas pull me into the car, his arms holding me close, his heartbeat and mine throbbing in sync.

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