Page 13 of Echoes of Danger

Jacob reaches for Jessica and I can tell it takes some serious strength for Elijah to let her go. Such a sweet boy.

“I love you, princess,” Jacob tells his daughter. “I know that you’ve had to go through a lot of changes in your very short life,but I have a feeling that these two people will be solid in your life while I’m away. Be a good girl.”

Instead of handing me the baby, he hands her back to Elijah.

“There are security cameras,” Jacobs says, pointing at one next to the front door, in the kitchen, and the living room. “They are scattered around the entire house apart from the bathroom and all the bedrooms, as well as around the entirety of the property, including the wooded area. Knox is the only one, apart from myself, with access to the feed. He would never abuse that right. Just wanted you to know. I’ll activate the security system when I leave. The code to activate it is one, two, zero, eight. It’s on the fridge as well. If you plan to leave, be sure to reset it and do so again once you come back home. I’ll show you both how to access the cameras tomorrow.”

“Why so much security?” I ask.

“My job can be dangerous,” he admits. “Being a security guard can lead to some pretty shady people hating me when I get between them and what they want. Not to mention being part of a biker club isn’t always safe. I gain haters wherever I go. But I need you to know that you’re safe here. And, if there comes a time when danger calls, I’ll always let you know so you can be on guard.”

“Might have been something to mention before you hired me,” I mumble. “Not that it would have caused me to walk away. But still.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck. “Alright. I really do need to go. I won’t be home until around six in the morning. When I get back, I’ll get that bike out for you, Elijah. Or I can just take you to school before I go to bed.”

“The bike is fine, thank you,” my son responds. “Is it alright if I get something to eat?”

“I can just order you that pizza,” I rush to say.

“This is your home now. Both of you. I don’t expect you to use your check to buy food. I will supply everything you need. Just take care of my daughter. My work hours don’t work well with a newborn, and I’ve been on the verge of falling over this past week. Take care of my daughter, and I’ll take care of you. Got it?”

Elijah’s already started searching through cabinets and the fridge to find something to eat before Jacob stopped talking.

“If you’re still hungry after you finish eating, I can order you that pizza I promised,” Jacob laughs as Eli shoves a cold hotdog in his mouth.

“Can I cook?” Eli asks.

“As long as you don’t burn down the house,” Jacob shrugs.

“I guess I’ll go get the baby’s bath water started,” I mumble. “Thank you, Jacob, for this opportunity. I won’t let you down.”

“I don’t think you ever could,” he says. He takes a few more seconds to look into my eyes before shaking his head and walking away. “Be back in the morning.”

Then he’s gone.

“I’m going to make some spaghetti, Ma.”

My eyes stayed glued to the door as my soul seems to snap in place. I feel as if I’ve finally found the place I belong. The person I belong with. It feels as if everything in my life has led to this exact moment.

So why in the world do I want to run as far and as fast as possible?

“Ma, did you hear me?”

“Spaghetti,” I mumble, finally looking away from the door. “Yeah, I hear you. Let me have the baby. She needs a warm bath before going to bed.”

“You okay, Ma? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”

“I’m fine, honey. Be sure to make a plate for Jacob.”

“I will, Ma. I’m not a jerk.”

Shaking my head, I accept my new little burden and head up the stairs.

“Bath time, little one,” I sing. “Let’s go see if we can find a baby tub or if we’re doing this the old-fashioned way.”

Jessica doesn’t make a noise but stares intently at my face like she knows the secrets deep in my soul that I’m not even aware of.

Sighing, I shake my head and proceed to search for a baby bath. I need to get this notion of fate out of my head. I read too many romance books. That’s my problem.

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