Page 23 of His Reluctant Savior

“We go way back, and I’m sure he’ll have something juicy for me to do in return. In this business, favors are a form of currency.”

While Sid killed for a living, I trusted him to help get Owen and me out of this. I wouldn’t have had he not told me his story last night. It changed everything. And that was exactly why he’d bared his soul to me.

“Thanks, Sid.”

He smiled and said nothing, never taking his eyes off the road. We drove for a few more minutes in silence before he spoke up. “As soon as I got the file on you, I instantly knew I had to help you.” I appreciated him not mentioning death in front of Owen. “That doesn’t mean I wasn’t reluctant. My decision weighed heavily on me because I was turning my back on my family. I’m betraying them. And family they are, even if we aren’t blood-related. I would do anything for them.”

“I know what you said and why you made this choice, still… I’m surprised you chose to help. But… I’m grateful for it.”

And I was. Being around Sid went against my moral code, but Owen and I wouldn’t have gotten through this alive had he not intervened when he did. The thought of Owen getting killed sent a shiver right up my spine. Losing my husband had been bad enough. Losing a child? No fucking way. I’d burn the world down if anyone hurt my boy. Morals be fucking damned.

“Nice place,” Sid saidas we pulled onto the long driveway, heading up toward the large farmhouse. “Mason Duvall, owner of a security tech firm called DefenseMatrix, whose primary client is the United States. He does well for himself. Savannah Duvall,small-town pediatrician. They have three children between the ages of three and thirteen.”

“Did you research them before or after I told you about them?”

“Before. I’ve looked into everyone you knew, but I wouldn’t have assumed you would bring Owen here. Not at first. There’s very little connection between you and her, just like there’s very little connection between you and me. Although my family probably knows we used to go to high school together and are creating threads as we speak if they’ve dug deeply enough. It wouldn’t take much.”

“That’s not at all reassuring.”

“They can’t find us, no matter that we used to know each other.”

“I hope…” I trailed off as Savannah stepped outside, carrying a blonde toddler on her hip, waving at us with a big smile on her face.

I pulled Owen out of his seat and held his hand as we walked toward my old friend. She approached me and pulled me into a one-arm hug.

“It’s good to see you, Dalt. You look really good—tired and stressed, but good.”

“And you look gorgeous as always,” I said, kissing her cheek. Her brown hair was threaded with highlights, which she had pulled back into a long ponytail, and her eyes were a pale brown.

She looked down at my son and smiled broadly. “You must be Owen. I haven’t seen you since you were younger than this little girl here.”

Meaning, the last time she saw him, it was at Matt’s funeral service. She’d been pregnant at the time.

He held onto my leg and looked up at Savannah, not saying anything. I hated how wary he was. While shy, he was also friendly once he warmed up. But after his ordeal, I worried he would grow more shy and afraid of others.

I squatted down to his level. “Savannah is a very old friend of mine. She’s very nice.”

“Hi,” he whispered.

Savannah set her daughter on the ground. “This is Lily. You two are going to be great friends.”

I waved behind me. “Savvy, this is Sid Virgil. He’s… an old friend from high school who’s helping me sort through this… mess.”

“Hello, Savannah,” Sid said.

“Nice to meet you, Sid.”

We headed inside the large home that was filled with comfort and love. Mason popped his head out of his office, close to the front door, and smiled, shaking my hand. “It’s good to see you again, Dalt.”

“You, too, Mason. I appreciate you and Savvy watching over Owen for a few days.”

He stood a couple of inches shorter than me, with graying dark brown hair and intelligent green eyes.

“Of course. The kids are excited to have a new playmate around here.”

I introduced him to Sid, and we made our way into the kitchen. Savannah poured us some lemonade, and then the kidswent off to play. Owen looked like he was lighting up around the other children, allowing me to breathe a sigh of relief.

“This means so much to me,” I said.

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