Page 24 of Hunting for Love

“Daddy was mean. Wasn’t he.” It’s not a question and my chest clenches, wishing JJ didn’t understand that. He’s too little to have the people in his life be unkind to him. The more I learn about this John, the more I want to absolutelydestroyhis life.

“Are you okay?”

JJ nods slowly. “I think I’ll be okay. Maybe chocolate chip pancakes will help,” he says seriously, making Zander and I snort with amusement. “If Ronny is your true mate does that mean he’s gonna be my new dad?”

I rub the back of my neck, looking at Zander unsure. He tilts his head, letting me respond. “Well, buddy, I don’t think I could ever replace your dad. But I’ll be here for you however you want, okay?”

JJ takes my hand. He partially shifts one of his nails into a claw and my eyes widen. Zander pulls JJ’s hand away. “What are you doing?”

JJ looks at Zander like he’s grown another head. “Blood oath? Duh?”

Zander sputters. “Where did you hear that word?”

“I don’t remember. Maybe Daddy? Maybe Lily,” he says with a nod.

“Lily? The baby?”

“Yes. She drinks blood. She knows about blood oaths, Papa. Trust me. I want Ronny’s blood so he’s stuck with us forever.”

I take JJ’s hand in my own. “We don’t need a blood oath for that, buddy. Nobody knows what the future holds but we trust that Lady Fate knows what’s best, right?” When he nods I go on. “And I have a feeling that means you’ll be here with me and the rest of the crew until you’re old enough to start making your own decisions. How does that sound?”

His face breaks out into a giant smile and he jumps from Zander’s lap into mine. I hold him tight. I don’t want to admit it out loud but I already see JJ as my own. I’ll do everything in my power to protect him and make sure he’s safe and happy. “I love you, Ronny.”

“I love you too, JJ.”

“Alright, mister,” Zander says, picking up JJ and heading back towards bed. “You’re up way past your bedtime.” JJ whines, complaining that he’s not even a little bit tired which falls flat when he ends up finishing his sentence with a giant yawn.

My heart is so full as I watchmy mateput JJ back into bed.

CHAPTER TWELVE

ZANDER

Martin flopsinto his seat beside the fire, letting out a long and tired groan. Frustration radiates off of him in waves and I wince with sympathy.

“Still nothing?”

“Not a damn thing! You’d think after tracking this fucking case for a month and a half we would have caught some sort of break by now but whoever is in charge of these abductions is slippery as fuck!”

I run my hand over my round stomach, listening to Martin rant. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this rant, far from it really. Martin and Cooper have taken the lead on this case, wanting to give Jeff and Ronny some time to get used to having their families on the road. Which is really sweet, but also, I think it’s time the entire group helped with this case before these two self-destruct and kill each other.

When we first got to the coast, I had high hopes for Martin and Cooper putting their differences aside and truly working together for this case. And at first, that’s exactly what they did. But as the weeks went by with no results, the bickering and the pissing contests started happening.

When will they realize they’re simply on different sides of the same coin?

“Have you thought of taking a week off and coming back to the case with clear heads?”

Martin stares at me for a long moment. “And if the trail runs cold? What then?”

The little one inside me jumps, bumping against my hand and a soft smile plays at my lips despite the conversation we’re having. “Isn’t it already cold? In a way, at least? You’re coming up short and chasing this case by the tail. You’re like a dog who’s sure this time you’ll catch it,” I say with a snort.

“First of all, rude,” Carlos says, sitting beside me. He looks at my stomach with giant puppy eyes and I nod, giving him permission to touch. “Second, I think Zander might be right. We’re chasing our tails here. They somehow have one up on us. It might be best to lay low for a little bit. Give them the sense we’re no longer chasing them and wait for them to strike again.”

“That’s one more innocent person being taken,” Martin says in frustration.

Carlos’ hand connects with my belly and the baby kicks him. I swear, these two are already thick as thieves and they haven’t even officially met yet.

“The people being taken aren’t being hurt,” I say hopelessly. I’m not trying to play devil’s advocate in the slightest but I also can’t sit back and watch these two work themselves into the ground if I can help it. “Give it one week of rest and then we’ll all jump into the case with both feet.”

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