Page 25 of Black Heart

“You did a great job,” Tristan said as he cradled the baby in one arm and took the little boy’s hand in the other. He gave the little boy’s hand a reassuring squeeze, ignoring the agonizing pain tearing through his shoulder as they made their way into the hallway.

* * *

Marty watchedthe house nervously as she tried to comfort the terrified mother, who came home to this nightmare a few minutes ago. “I only left to pick up their medication. How the hell did this happen?”

“Shhh, it’s okay,” Marty said soothingly, giving the woman’s shoulder a comforting squeeze.

The woman trembled as they watched several police officers drag two cuffed men out of the house. They appeared unharmed, which meant…

Oh, God, no…

He was fine.

He had to be, Marty told herself as she stood there, struggling not to panic and-

“Are you okay?” the woman suddenly asked, making her realize that she was trembling as well.

Marty forced a warm smile. “I’m fine.”

Seconds later, a teenage girl and a young boy ran out of the house.

“Mommy!” the little boy cried when he saw her standing there.

Marty watched as the woman ran to her children and covered their faces in kisses as she hugged the life out of them. After a moment, Marty’s gaze returned to the front door. She watched as several officers came and went, but there was no sign of Tristan.

“Where’s your brother?” the woman asked.

“He’s in there,” the little boy said, pointing back towards the house as his face squished up. “He pooped! The officers are in there arguing over who has to change him.”

That startled a laugh out of the little boy’s mother. “I guess I should go in there.”

An officer standing nearby held up a hand to stop her. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I’m going to have to ask you to stay out here.”

“But, my baby-”

“The detective has it covered, ma’am,” the officer explained with a reassuring smile.

Marty nervously licked her lips. “So, Detective Black is-”

“He’s fine, ma’am,” the officer said.

“The gunshots?” Marty asked, releasing a shaky breath.

“The perps’ guns went off when they surrendered. No one was hurt.”

“There he is, Mommy! There’s the officer that saved us!” the little boy cried.

Marty watched as Tristan strolled out of the house with a baby in his arms. The baby was suckling a bottle while looking up at Tristan adoringly. Tristan kissed the top of the baby’s head and rubbed his back. Marty was a little taken back. She’d never seen a man who looked more comfortable with a baby in his arms than Tristan did. He looked like he was made to be a father. It sent a weird rush through her body that she quickly squashed.

This was not the time or the man to have those feelings about.

* * *

“Thank you so much!”the woman said as she took the baby from him.

“You’re very welcome,” Tristan said as he smiled down at the little boy. “Your son did a great job, ma’am. He kept the baby calm and called 911.”

Tristan noticed the daughter looked upset, so he added, “Your daughter also kept the boys safe by not informing the men that they were in the house. That ultimately gave your son the opportunity to call for help.”

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