Page 76 of Iron Unicorn

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Olivia didn’t havea chance to finish her story. The entire herd of children escorted Jane and her service pony to the van, and among their chaotic squealing and yelling, one of them had gotten the idea to chant the little girl’s name. While children had the capacity for cruelty, it was matched by the bottomless depths of kindness. I kept a firm control over my emotions, although I regretted having left the suppressors in the suite.

I needed a break from the onslaught.

Will joined me, keeping a close eye on his sister, who helped keep the children somewhat contained while Melody and Jack worked at getting Jane into the van to take her to the airstrip. “The paparazzi are coming for your soul. I thought you would like a warning. They got some excellent photos of you with Jane. I took the liberty of leaking that New York is footing her medical bills, but I told them you’re an empath, saw a problem, and did what you could to solve the problem. I expect it will be headline news tomorrow. I may have told them what restaurant you’re going to with my sister.”

We would be stalked for the rest of the night. “What did I do to deserve that?”

“Good behavior deserves reward—and I suggested that a crowdfund should be established to make certain that Jane is reunited with her parents, who gave her up in the hopes of a benefactor and a heart donation. Are you holding up all right? The empaths were sent off duty.”

“Got scrambled?” Too many emotions could do that, and fortunately for me, exertion meant my talent tended to shut down for a while. “I’m mostly fine. Tomorrow, I’ll be wearing suppressors and trying to take it easy. Melody wants me off suppressors while sleeping, but it should be fine unless the kids are on the same floor.”

“They’re not on your floor. I’m hoping the morning news and the clips of the kids finding out Jane’s getting a new heart will get some of them placed. Hell, I’m hoping all of them get placed. Do you think my wife would forgive me if I brought home an extra?”

I considered the crowd of children. “One of them caught your eye?”

“There’s a toddler that is trying to help everyone with everything.” Will pointed over at the crowd of kids, and I spotted the boy in question, who had taken an RPS agent hostage while sucking the thumb of his other hand. “That’s one of my Texan agents for this visit. His parents were killed in an accident.”

One day, I hoped Montana’s royal family recovered from the deaths of the previous monarchs, although I doubted time would do anything other than dull the edges.

Their love ran deep, and they weren’t the kind to let go.

“She’d forgive you, and it’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission.” I eyed Will before engaging him in a staring contest. “Why are you asking me? I’m not a shining example of sensibility tonight.”

“No, but you’re unmatched in compassion. Also, you’ve made Rachel’s day. Ethan sent me a text about it. She’s bouncing off the walls because you called and askedher.”

Interesting. “I’ll keep that in mind. I had not considered that possibility.”

“Ethan’s delighted, and I already pinged the idea of the crowdfund off his head. He’s going to start something up in New York. The excess funds will go to the charity and the orphanage.”

That would work. “Good, because I would not be comfortable with anything more than what I contributed. I did not do any of this for a reward.”

“We know, Terry. You did it because you’re just like me. When you see an injustice in the world, you want to fix it. And Jane’s illness isn’t quite an injustice, but you could fix it.”

“If I don’t, who will?” I’d learned that lesson early on in my career as an RPS agent.

“Considering I was trying to buy her the service pony before you beat me to the chase, you weren’t alone this time. But normally? Yeah. That’s how this sort of thing goes. And while I’m warning you about things, once my sister finds out you’re now a single dad, she’s going to lose her mind even more.”

“I like kids. It just hurt to feel how lonely Jane was. And anyway, I’m not going to be her dad for very long. I told Carl to process her parents regaining custody as soon as her treatments are over. If they refuse custody, I’ll be setting up visitation and figure it out from there. Considering they’ve been going to the orphanage to watch her several times a week, she’s a wanted child. They did what they could to give her the best chance at getting a heart.”

“Well, she’s not lonely now, and should all go well, she’ll have a whole new lease on life after she recovers. If you end up having custody permanently, I’m sure my sister will be happy to help you learn the ropes.”

Olivia couldn’t love kids more even if she tried. “If your heart loves the toddler, take the toddler home. I have heard rumors that if you ask King Patrick, he can process the adoption papers in under ten minutes.”

Will narrowed his eyes, considering the boy clutching the hand of his agent. “Clearly, it’s my turn to surprise the wife with a kid because she’s always the one surprising me.”

“I’m not sure that’s how this works, Will.”

“It is now.”

* * *

Will took over storytelling time,and he sat on the lobby floor with the toddler he wanted to take home on his lap. I managed to coax Olivia out of the hotel so we could go to dinner, and as warned, we were followed by the paparazzi. They kept their distance, likely working with the Texan RPS agents to maintain the peace.

Normally, I would not have gone for a limo, but the RPS had summoned one, and it would cause more problems than not changing vehicles. Aware of the likelihood of photographs, I did my best to present myself as a gentleman, holding the door for her and offering my arm.

She giggled at the formalities, and she smiled.

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