Page 64 of Smitten with the Single Dad

Wyatt nodded, but in no way was he relaxed.

He wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to relax again.

They did another quick assessment, getting him to track a finger with his eyes. They took his blood pressure and his pulse, but everything seemed normal.

“Did you assess Vica too? She was on the side that received the initial impact,” he asked, the desperation to see his kids and wife eating away at him like acid in his gut.

Justine’s head bobbed. “I was thinking I’d like to give her a second checkup just in case. Why don’t you head out and trade spots with her? I’m sure your boys will be happy to hear their flutist-father will once again be able to regale them with his breathy tune.”

“Wyatt plays the flute?” Grayson asked as Wyatt slowly headed for the door.

“No. He just covers up his fear with humor,” Justine said dryly.

Wyatt didn’t turn around or acknowledge their conversation, even though Justine was bang on, as per usual. Just before he rounded the corner into the waiting room, he plastered on a big, fake smile. They didn’t need to see his fear. Not right now. “Are these stinky little kids bothering you?” he asked Vica as he greeted them all.

“Dad!” the boys both shouted, leaping off of Vica’s lap and running full tilt at Wyatt. He was a little stiff, but otherwise felt right as rain, and crouched down to take his boys in his arms. Nothing felt so good. The backs of his eyes burned, but he wasn’t going to cry. Not right now. They needed someone to be their lighthouse in this storm, and it was absolutely going to be him.

Vica was right there behind them, tears in her eyes. She smiled. “You’re okay.”

Standing up, he nodded. “I’m okay.” Then he reached for her and the four of them hugged. “Justine wants to double-check you though. She asked for me to send you back.”

“What? Why? I’m fine.”

“I know, but you did experience the initial impact. So they just want to be safe.”

Her brows furrowed for a moment before she shrugged and left Wyatt and the boys in the waiting room. Neither of his kids would let go of his hand, and based on how tight Jake’s grip was, Wyatt wasn’t sure his oldest son would ever let go. They would soon fuse together.

Fine by him. He never wanted to let go of his kids either.

They found a couch in the staff room and he got them all some water.

“That was really scary, Dad,” Griffon said, accepting the paper cup of water. “Why were there gunshots? Were they shooting at us?”

“I don’t have an answer for you, pal,” Wyatt said. “But you’re right, it was really scary.”

“Clean bill of health?” came a familiar, friendly female voice. Myla Bruce walked into the staff room. “Everett is still at the scene with Shawn. It’s tough to discern anything in the dark, but we’ll head back there in the daylight and see if we can find any clues about the other vehicle.” She pressed her lips together. “I’m guessing because it was dark out, you didn’t see the color, make, or model?”

Wyatt shook his head. “Nothing. Didn’t even see the headlights before it was too late. But I’m sure you’ll see the paint of the other vehicle on my truck.”

She nodded. “That’s what we’re hoping for.” Her emerald-green gaze shifted to the boys. She wanted to speak with Wyatt, but not with the boys in earshot.

Wyatt dug into his wallet and pulled out some cash. “I saw a vending machine in the lobby. Why don’t you guys go get something to eat, hmm?”

Never ones to say no to processed food from a machine, neither kid balked, and they took the cash and left.

“Some shady shit is going down,” Myla said. “This was totally targeted. Someone knew Vica left the island and they knew when she was back. They were lying in wait.”

“And fully prepared to take me out too?”

“It’s getting serious, if that’s the case.” Her eyes widened. “I mean it’s serious even if they’re just after Vica, but to now not care if they take you—and the kids—out too, is really fucking crazy and dangerous.”

“I don’t think they knew the kids were in the truck. Vica called out, ‘There are children in the vehicle.’ Then a moment later, they sped away.”

Her brows furrowed. “Interesting.”

Theslap-slapof children running down the hallway grew louder, and a moment later Griffon and Jake reemerged in the doorway, each of them carrying a different bag of chips.

“I think we need security,” Myla said. “We need protective detail on Vica.”

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