Page 53 of The Body Checker

He blows out a breath, then says, “I figured it was something like that. Jonah’s always careful.”

“He doesn’t deserve any of this,” I say, my voice a little choked. “He’s one of the good guys, Zander.”

He gives a small laugh, because he probably never thought he’d hear those words from me. “Yeah, I know. I’ve always known.”

“What is she after?”

“Fame and fortune,” he says.

This time the tears do fall. My emotions are on a goddamn roller coaster ride. “I feel so sorry for Daisy, she’s the one who’s going to get hurt in all this.”

“So are you and Jonah. I know how much you’ve fallen for that little girl. Hang on, I’m just getting into the car. Going to put you on speaker.”

I wipe my eyes, my heart going out to the innocent child asleep upstairs. To the man who has no idea which way to turn.

“Okay, you there?”

“I’m here,” I say.

“Jonah’s dad is a lawyer. He’ll get this figured out.”

“Maybe so, but there will be damage.”

“You sound tired. Why don’t you get to sleep. I’ll have Jonah back to you soon.”

The phone tightens in my hands. God, the way he just said that makes it sound like Jonah is mine. He’s not.

Oh, but you want him to be.

“Okay, thanks, Zander. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

With that, I hang up, and my tears fall as I walk upstairs and find Daisy sleeping soundly. I touch her hair, brush my hand lightly over it.

“I have no idea what’s going to happen, little one, but I promise you, I’ll do anything to help protect you. Anything at all.”

She makes a small sound, and I could have sworn she understood what I was saying and was thanking me for it.

13

Jonah

“Thanks for the lift,” I say to Zander as I climb from his car. The cooler night air falls around me and I stretch out, my mind running a million miles an hour after coffee with Shari. Although coffee didn’t happen. She texted me, said to meet her at her favorite club, and eventually conversation turned into her hands all over me.

“Talk to your dad. See what he has to say,” Zander says before I shut the door.

“I will.” I close the door quietly, not wanting to wake anyone in the neighborhood, and stand back to glance at my house.

The lights are off, all except the front porch. A warm glow falls over the steps and walkway, guiding me to my front door, and that brings a smile to my face. Quinn left the light on for me. It shouldn’t surprise me. She’s the most giving, caring woman I know, and I should have kicked Shari for being so fucking rude to her. I push down the anger and pull my keys from my pocket. Zander takes off as I make my way inside.

The house is quiet. Just like old times. I laugh at that. Here I used to cherish my bachelorhood, and never gave much thought to settling down. But I suddenly don’t like the stillness of the house. I make my way upstairs, walking quietly so I don’t wake my girls. My bedroom door is open slightly, and I step inside.

I check on Daisy first, press my hand to her forehead. She’s much cooler than she was earlier. Maybe Quinn was right and she’s teething.

I glance at my bed, and sensations well up inside me, curl around my heart, when I find Quinn there, fast asleep. If I had to put a name to what I’m feeling, I’d have to call it want, need…love.

Love?

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