Page 60 of When You Are Mine

He froze, horrified that his mother might know about his traitorous heart. Might think, after what his father had put her through, that he would violate anyone’s marriage vows.

“What makes you think I’m ruining anything?” He swallowed shame and guilt. “I’m not.”

“I know you’re not. You’re loyal and honest. In that way, you’re your mother’s son. Don’t forget it.”

Before he had time to respond, Jo leaned over, pushing the passenger-side door open and bumping Walsh’s hip.

“Get in. It won’t be my fault if you miss your flight.”

“Okay, Mom,” Walsh said, glad to escape her piercing stare, but reluctant to leave her again since he wasn’t sure when he’d be back.

He reached for her, surprised at how fragile she felt in his arms. He leaned back, noting how her beautiful face had narrowed. There were lines around her eyes and mouth he hadn’t noticed before.

“You’ve lost weight. You taking care of yourself?”

“No.” Jo leaned forward from the driver’s seat. “She’s been losing weight and is tired all the time. I’ve been trying to convince her to see her doctor, but she won’t.”

“I’m fine.” Kristeene leaned down until she could see into the car. She quelled whatever Jo would have said with a warning glare.

“Mom, please go see your doctor.” Walsh felt bad for not noticing the signs before. He’d have to dig with Jo later for more intel. “For me. Please.”

“All right, all right.” Kristeene patted his shoulder, reaching up to kiss his cheek. “For you, baby. I’ll make an appointment this week.”

Pulling out of the driveway, Walsh couldn’t shake the feeling that things were shifting inevitably on every front of his life. He wanted to make Jo stop the car and turn back around so he could run to his mother, huddle in the safety he’d always found in her as a little boy. She’d always known just what to say, just what to do to make it better. Watching her stately figure getting smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror, he was afraid that this time, even a mother’s love couldn’t hold back the dark tide he sensed coming.

Chapter Twenty-One

Thank God that’s over.” Walsh sliced into his filet mignon. Delmonico’s made a mean steak.

“Your first acquisition.” Martin Bennett raised his glass. “Congratulations. Merrist is now a Bennett holding.”

“You knew it would be,” Walsh said around the tender, rare meat nearly falling apart in his mouth.

“I know you’re my son.” Martin flashed his pirate’s smile. “Despite all that charity your mother has infected you with, my genes are still under there somewhere.”

Walsh snorted, flicking a grudgingly admiring glance across the elegantly set table. The man had a killer instinct, he had to give him that.

“I was hoping to avoid the threat of a hostile takeover,” Walsh said, watching his father sip his merlot. “But you were right. They didn’t want to tangle with us.”

“You’d done a masterful job winning them over already,” Martin said, the rare compliment freezing Walsh’s hand on its way to deliver another mouthwatering bite of steak. “They just had to be reminded that if it came down to playing dirty, they wouldn’t fare well.”

“It worked.” Walsh shook the shock of his father’s approval off and took his next bite. “I’m just glad we got it all sewn up before I leave tomorrow.”

“Where are you going again?”

“Haiti, Dad. You know that.”

“Oh, yeah, Haiti. St. Tropez? No. Paris? No? Dubai? No. Destination Haiti.”

“Don’t try to talk me out of it.” Walsh set his fork down, giving his father a warning look. “I’ve busted my ass for the last year getting this Merrist deal done. I’m entitled to some time off.”

“Time off?” Martin cocked his head, pretending to consider this alien concept. “I remember time off. I took some once. I found it overrated.”

“Well, I’m taking some. And I’m doing with it exactly as I choose.”

“And you always choose orphans in the most godforsaken places.”

Walsh let his father’s chiding roll right off his back.

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