Page 38 of Seven

“Okay. You can have a crochet corner. Hell, you can have whatever you want.”

“What about you?” She eased up on her elbow and looked at me with her big, baby blues. “What do you want?”

“Just you.” I eased up and gave her a kiss. “You’re the only thing I want or need.”

I wokeup the next morning knowing I couldn’t stand it a second longer. I had to see her and find out what the hell was going on. I threw the covers back and pulled myself out of bed. I threw on some clothes, my boots, and my cut, then headed for the parking lot.

The clubhouse was quiet. Most of the guys were in the kitchen having their morning coffee or hadn’t made it in yet. It was too early to be hunting down Tallie, but my mind had been set. I had almost reached the back door when Shep called out to me, “Where you headed?”

“I’m going to see Tallie,” I said, not bothering to sugarcoat it. “I’m done waiting. It’s time we talked this out.”

“Understood. You checked with Skid or Duggar to see if she’s still at the hotel?”

I’d put Duggar and Skid on Tallie right after she’d admitted that she’d been followed and that her folks place had been vandalized. They’d managed to stay under the radar, from her and the people who might be following her, and I’d been thankful that neither of them had witnessed anything concerning.

Tallie and her mother had been holed up at the hotel for several days, only leaving to go to the police station or the funeral home. Only real news they had was Rooks had shown up. He’d gotten a room at the same hotel and was helping them out with all the loose ends with their father’s death. While I had no desire to see him, I was more than ready to see his sister.

“Yeah, she’s still there. Hoping to beat them before they head out for the day.”

“Need me to tag along?”

“Nah, this is something I need to do on my own.”

“Alright. Just give me a shout if you need me.”

“Will do.”

I continued for the door, but didn’t get far before Shep called out again, “Hey.”

When I turned to face him, he gave me a brotherly nod and said, “Good luck.”

“Thanks, brother.”

I continued out to the parking lot and went straight to my bike. It was still fairly cool for a bike ride, but I didn’t mind. I needed the bite of cold air to help distract me from the crazy that was running through my head. I kicked my leg over the seat, pulled on my helmet, and turned the key. Seconds later, I was through the gate on my way to the hotel.

I parked on the side street and headed inside.

I had one thing on my mind as I started through the door, and one thing only. That was finding Tallie and getting answers about her son. I almost didn’t notice Duggar sitting in the corner with his cup of coffee. I gave him a quick nod, then started over to the front desk.

As soon as I stepped into the lobby, I spotted him.

He was sitting on one of the sofas with his nose buried in one of those handheld video games, but I could see him well enough to know it was him. He looked just like the picture Shep had shown me, only, in person, he looked even more like me. His nose. His jawline. Hell, even the way he furrowed his brows while playing his game resembled me.

It was like looking back in time, and as I stood there, watching him, I knew the answer. This kid was mine.

I knew the second Shep showed me his picture but seeing him now hit me harder than I could’ve ever imagined. He got frustrated with his game and tossed it on the cushion next to him. He leaned back and ran his hand over his face, just like I did every time I got aggravated. Damn. Even his mannerisms were like mine.

I wanted to say something, do something, but I just stood there gawking at him like an idiot. And then, like he’d sensed me looking, his head turned, and his eyes locked onto mine. It was only for a moment, but it was enough for me to muster the courage to try to talk to him.

I took a step forward but stopped when I saw Tallie walking over with a cup of coffee in her hand. Like on instinct, her eyes found mine, and she stopped dead in her tracks. Her mouth dropped as she turned and looked at our son and then back to me.

She knew I’d seen him. She raised her hand, signaling for me to give her a moment. I gave her a nod and watched as she walked over to the kid. She placed her cup of coffee on the table next to him, and then, after whispering something to him, she turned and started over to me.

My eyes were trained on the kid when she approached and asked, “Holt, what are you doing here?”

“He’s mine, isn’t he?”

“Holt.”

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