Page 11 of Riding Danger

“When will my voice break?”

I looked over at Shiloh but all she did was raise a brow and stifle a grin.

“I think you can handle that conversation.” She leaned forward as if she was interested in the answer.

I turned from her and back to Ethan. “Give it a few years. Don’t be in any hurry.”

Conversation flowed through the entire meal. Granted, Ethan mostly carried it. But I couldn’t help but sneak glances at Shiloh. The woman was a knockout in every way. Especially with all that strawberry blonde hair and green eyes. She wasn’t overly curvy but she was definitely stronger than I remember. But the thing I found most attractive was how she was with Ethan. She didn’t leave any room for disrespect and she made sure he understood that she was the parent. Yet, he was free to talk. He could talk about what was bothering him and could even challenge her as long as it was done respectfully.

At the end of the meal, Shiloh placed her knife and fork in her plate and faced Ethan. “Sweetheart, there is something I need to tell you.”

“Okay.” He also placed his cutlery in his plate. “Am I in trouble?”

“No.” The small smile she offered him told me that Ethan found trouble often. “But this is important.”

She seemed nervous and the urge to take her hand and comfort her overwhelmed me. But we were no longer that. I had disappointed her, and there was no getting around it. I also need to remember that she was willing to believe the worst thing about me. Even if the circumstances were difficult. It was obvious she had no faith in me.

I should’ve found out what she told Ethan about his father. If I had that little bit of information, I could’ve stepped in. But I didn’t want to overstep and make her look like a liar.

Instead, I looked over at my son. “Maybe we can talk in the living room. It would be a lot more comfortable there.”

“No.” Shiloh insisted. She took a deep breath and faced him once more. “Ethan, remember how I told you I lost touch with your dad before I had a chance to tell him I was pregnant.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed as looked between me and his mom. “Yeah.”

Everything in me stopped working as she broke the news to him.

“Well, Ryder is your father.”

His lips disappeared into a thin line and his head whipped in my direction. “You left my mom.”

The outrage at me didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. I loved that he wanted to defend his mom.

“Yes. Though if I had known about you. About what people were doing behind my back, I would’ve been here. I promise.”

His head reared back and a brow rose. Fuck, it was like looking in a mirror. “What people? What were they doing behind your back?”

Shiloh took his hand. “A very bad man who works for your dad said things to keep us apart.”

Ethan’s shoulders sagged. His tone became more clipped. “How long will you be in town for?”

“I have a tour kick off in Los Angeles in mid-December.” It was not a full tour, but I would be away for quite a bit. “It’s not an intense tour, but I have dates every month until the summer when it will be more intense.”

My heart broke as I watched my son stare at his hands in lap. “So, you won’t be here for Christmas. But you’re leaving before then.”

I shook my head. At least I could give him that assurance. “No. First thing tomorrow I’m contacting a realtor to find me a place in town.”

“What?” Shiloh frowned at me. “You’re buying a house? Here?”

“Where else?” I didn’t understand why she was so shocked.

Before she could answer me though, I had to focus on a very confused little boy.

“Mom said the man works for you?” Ethan raised a brow, distrust still in his eyes. “Are you going to fire him?”

“Already did.”

Again, Shiloh frowned, confusion marred her gorgeous face. “What?”

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