Page 84 of Hot Momosa

Leo

“Where’s your mom?”I wiped tears from Gunnar’s chubby cheeks.

He stared at Gabe as if trying to figure out how he had an uncle, or maybe he wondered what the heck an uncle was. Whichever the case, the toddler clung to me like he had the night the stalker had broken in his bedroom window.

“Mamma’s in the bathroom.” Gunnar pointed down the hall. “With the bad man.”

My blood froze. “Gabe take him.”

My brother slid the toddler from my arms without a word. I had no doubt in my mind he’d protect my son as if he were his own.

I went into the kitchen, took my gun from the hidden safe, and slipped it under my shirt so Gunnar couldn’t see it. Meeting Gabe’s gaze, I whispered, “Get him out of here.”

“I’m not leaving. We’ll be outside the front door.”

Good enough.

I waited until he’d disappeared, clicked the safety off, and made my way down the hall.

Dahlia came out of the bathroom wide-eyed and pale. She glanced from my face to the firearm and gasped. “It’s all right. I’m okay.”

I’m not proud, but my first thought was she had Harrison Meriwether in my house. My second thought was that I was a complete idiot.

Lowering the gun, I said, “Who’s in there?”

She winced. “Maybe put that thing away before we talk.”

Okay, maybe I’m not as much of an idiot as I thought.

“Answer me.”

She jolted at the sharp tone in my voice, but recovered quickly. Narrowing her eyes, she stared until I gave in and headed back to the kitchen. “Where’s Gunnar?”

“I had Gabe take him outside when I thought the stalker had you captive in the bathroom.”

“I need to check on him.” She took a step toward the front door, but I grabbed her arm.

“He’s fine.”

Dahlia stared at the Glock. “I didn’t know you still had weapons in the house.”

Is she that freaked out or is she avoiding telling me who’s in the bathroom?

“Two, both in safes. One in the bedroom and one in the kitchen as always.”

Her frown deepened. “I don’t like it. Gunnar could—”

“I’ll get rid of them as soon as we put a stop to the stalker.” I clicked the safety back on and slid the gun back into the safe. “Now tell me who’s back there.”

“Artie Guzman.” Dahlia stood at the end of the hall with her arms folded as if guarding the back of the condo, or more likely guarding the would-be poodle napper.

What the fuck?

That was the last name I’d expected to hear.

“He stopped by to talk to you about the dogs.” Her shoulders relaxed a little more with each word. “Stuart and I had a miscommunication this morning and we forgot to set the alarm or lock the door—”

“You two left the condo wide open?” I held up my hands. “That’s unacceptable.”

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