Page 118 of Short, Lethal & Claimed

“What are you going to do to me?” he demanded as Logan’s gaze dropped to his trembling hands and-

“Nothing. You’ve been punished enough,” Logan said, refusing to take the boy’s iPad away or ground him for trying to protect his brother and sister.

“I’m fine,” Shane bit out when Jill moved to check the cuts on his neck.

“You’re bleeding,” Jill said only to have Shane back away.

“I said I’m fine!” Shane snapped.

“No, you’re not,” Jill said, shaking her head as she reached up to check his neck only to have him shove her hands away.

“You don’t have to pretend anymore,” Shane said, making them both frown.

“Pretend what?” Jill asked only to go still at Shane’s next words.

“That you love us,” Shane bit out coldly.

“We do love you, Shane, more than anything,” Jill promised him as she reached for him again only to have him angrily shake his head as he backed away.

“No, you don’t,” Shane snapped. “You’re only using us and as soon as you find someone to give you what you want, you’ll hand us over.”

“You’re not going anywhere, Shane,” Logan said firmly as he moved past Jill and followed Shane. “You’re my son.”

“No, I’m not. I’m just the mutt that you’re using to get what you want,” Shane snapped. “So, you can stop pretending now and just lock us up. Anything would be better than this.”

Keeping his eyes locked on Shane, Logan said, “You’re my son.”

“No, I’m not!”

“You’re my son,” Logan repeated, following Shane as he stumbled back.

“Stop!”

“You’re my son,” Logan said as he reached for him.

“You’re just using us!” Shane snapped, shoving his hands away before he reached up and frantically wiped at his eyes.

“You’re my son,” Logan said firmly, reaching for Shane again and this time, he grabbed Shane by his shirt and pulled him into his arms.

“Let me go!” Shane shouted as he tried to shove him away, but Logan held him tighter.

“I love you more than anything, Shane,” Logan whispered fiercely.

“No, you don’t,” Shane said, his voice breaking as he moved to shove Logan away again only to grab onto his shirt and held on tightly while Logan wrapped his arms around him and-

“You’re my son.”

CHAPTER 57

Two Months Later…

“Ilove cake, Mommy,” Caleb announced with a satisfied sigh as Jill leaned over and kissed his forehead.

“I figured that out when you had a third slice,” Jill said, smiling as Caleb nodded with a murmured, “I really do,” even as he struggled to keep his eyes open.

“Did you have fun?” Jill asked Emma, signing the question before she reached over and tucked her in.

With a sleepy smile, Emma nodded as she curled up on her side. “I’m glad,” Jill said, leaning over to kiss her forehead before she focused on the teenage boy that passed out as soon as his head hit the pillow.

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