Page 55 of Exhale
“And these were people he knew?” Owen searched Eagle’s face.
“It looks like it. They’re from his past. One’s the assassin they call Black, the other is a step-brother.”
Owen nodded slowly and tucked the photos of him fishing and the one with Ginny into his shirt pocket beneath his tactical vest.
“Your son is in the SUV with Link, eating fries and a shake,” Eagle said, pointing to the dark vehicle.
Owen approached, tearing off his vest, his hands were sweaty, and his chest tight with nerves. He opened the door and slid into the passenger seat and turned slightly to get his first look at one of his sons.
The boy was tiny, with dark curly hair that matched his own. When Elliott glanced up, the blue eyes that gazed at him were identical to his.
“Hi,” Owen said softly.
The boy’s eyes went wide, the fry in his hand poised midway to his mouth.
Owen slowly reached into his shirt pocket and took out the photo of him with the fish and showed it to Elliott. Surely the boy would have seen it on the wall? Then he showed Elliott the picture with him and Ginny.
“Hi, Elliott, I’m your dad.” Owen pointed to the pictures.
Elliott dropped the fry and stood in the back seat. The rest of the burger would have ended up on the floor except that Link saved it.
Owen thought the boy was running, but then tiny, too-thin arms reached for him, and Owen hauled the boy over the center console and into his arms.
Harsh sobs broke out in Elliott’s small body, shuddering and quaking in his arms. Owen ran his hand soothingly up and down Elliott’s back.
Not trying to stop the storm of tears, but holding him tightly to let him know without words that he was safe.
For the life of him, Owen couldn’t stop the burning sting of tears in his own eyes and barely managed to stop them from falling.
Now wasn’t the time to break down. He needed to find Weston and then Jordan, in that order.
“Daddy,” Elliott wailed, wrapping his arms around his neck, clutching him.
“I’m here, baby,” he soothed, choking, rocking Elliott.
“Where’s Wes?” Elliott asked in a hiccup sob.
“I’ve got to go get him,” Owen whispered, holding Link’s gaze over Elliott’s shoulder. “Can you stay with Uncle Link until I come back?”
Link shook his head and pointed to himself while mouthing the words…I’m going.
“I need you here,” Owen said roughly.
“Elliott, I’m going to introduce you to Kellum, he has a brother about your age. He can show you pictures on his phone,” Link said with a scowl at Owen.
“He can?” Elliott pushed up from Owen’s shoulder and gazed around at Link.
“He can.” Link shot a text to Kellum.
Kellum, who had been stationed inside a Suburban, appeared in seconds, and Link introduced them.
“My brother is about your age,” Kellum said with a smile.
Elliott gripped him tightly, and Owen cradled the boy.
“Go with Kellum and I’ll bring back Weston,” he said.
Those eyes so much like his own gazed back at him, gauging whether or not to trust him.
