Page 47 of Scorched

“It’s not your fault. And I’ll be fine. I know how to take care of myself.”

“I know you do. Doesn’t mean I can’t worry.” And he would. She’d picked up jiu jitsu with Rayna, but there were still situations she would never see coming.

She stepped closer and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I’ll bug you with texts, how about that?”

“Sounds good.”

“I’ll see you two later.” She left the two of them alone.

Declan looked away from the doorway after she disappeared to see Seb watching him, shaking his head.

“What?”

“Nothing. Still trying to wrap my head around the two of you.” He stood up and took his sidearm from his desk, clipping it to his belt beside his badge before picking up his coat and putting it on. “Let’s go.”

“There still isn’t an us.” Declan followed him out the door.

“You sure about that?”

He wasn’t sure about anything when it came to Maggie Archer, except that he wanted her. His desire for going solo through life had taken a backseat to his desire for her. He didn’t care, though. That kiss unleashed something. He craved more. But he was beginning to question if being around her was a good idea, considering today’s revelation. Rehashing his past left him feeling dirty. He didn’t want to tarnish her image by dragging her through his family’s filth.

“No,” he snorted.

Seb looked back and arched an eyebrow, but said nothing. They walked out the back door of the station and climbed into Seb’s police-issued SUV. While Seb drove, Declan pulled up his email on his phone, going through departmental memos. He still had annual reviews to complete, but they would have to wait.

The drive to Denver was longer than normal, the weather slowing them down. Declan yawned as he watched the scenery pass and wished he hadn’t left his coffee in Maggie’s car. Before they left the city, he’d make Seb stop for some. It was nearly lunchtime, anyway.

They exited the interstate and wove through neighborhoods until they stopped at a house in a rundown part of town. A rusty, ancient sedan sat in the driveway. A few children’s toys were scattered around the yard. Their presence made Declan’s stomach sink. Something told him he wouldn’t find his father here.

Declan stepped out of the SUV and walked up the crumbling sidewalk to the front porch. Seb knocked on the door. A small dog barked. He could hear its nails scrabbling on a wooden floor as it ran toward the door. A woman yelled at the dog to shut up.

The lock clicked, and the inner door opened to reveal a woman around forty with dull blonde hair scraped up into a messy bun, wearing a baggy sweater and jeans. She held the dog, trying to shush it as it growled at them. “Yeah?”

“Ma’am, I’m Sebastian Archer, Boone County Sheriff. We’re looking for Cole Briggs. Is he here?”

“I ain’t seen that bastard in months. He came home after he got out of prison late last year. Long enough to satisfy his parole officer, then he split. Just like he always does.”

Declan blinked. Maybe they did have the right place. He glanced at the toys in the yard. “Who is he to you?”

“My good-for-nothing baby daddy.” She frowned at him. “You look familiar. Who are you?”

The world spun. Declan put a hand on the house to steady himself. “I’m his son, Declan.”

The woman’s eyes widened. “He mentioned he had a couple kids when we first met, but hardly ever talked about you. Just said you weren’t part of his life.”

He swallowed hard, then pointed at the toys. “You have children?”

She nodded, more subdued. “Three. My oldest is nineteen and left to find work in the oil fields up north after he graduated last year. I have two daughters, too. Twelve and seven.”

“What are their names?”

“My son’s name is Michael. My daughters are Hannah and Jessie.”

Declan’s mind reeled. What the actual fuck? How did he have three siblings and not know about them? He mentally scoffed at himself. Because his old man was a selfish prick, that’s why. He reached into his pocket, pulling a business card from his wallet, then looked at Seb. “Do you have a pen?”

Seb reached into the inside breast pocket of his coat and handed him one. Declan wrote his cellphone number on the back of the card with shaky hands.

“I know you don’t know me from Adam, but I would really like it if you would call me sometime so my sister and I can meet our siblings.” He handed her the card.

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