Page 51 of On The Run

He smiled, but his expression was still serious. “Oh and tell whoever is doing those background checks to do one on me. I’m not going anywhere.”

Shaking my head, I followed Bronx out so I could go to Gray’s room. Before I went, though, I took a second to text the contact from RAM that somehow got saved in my phone without me doing so.

Max: Do your background check thing on Bronx Vinter. He refuses to leave my house.

I saw a read confirmation instantly but no response. They’d do whatever they wanted with that information. I then shot a quick text to Laura, who had insomnia, so I knew she’d be up. She agreed to get Gray, but I knew she’d be in interrogator mode when she arrived. I shoved my phone into my pocket. I’d worry about that later. Right now, I had to figure out how to break my son’s heart.

As I slowly pushed open his bedroom door and laid eyes on his sweet sleeping form, I decided I was going to tell him the truth, or at least in terms a 6-year-old would understand. He deserved that from me. I didn’t turn on the light and just walked over to his bed and sat on the edge. He looked so peaceful when he slept, like he had no worries in the world. Had Aiden ever had a chance to feel like that, even in his sleep? The little bit I knew about him made me think no.

I gently caressed the side of Gray’s face until his eyes began to flutter open. It took a while for him to realize what was happening, but then his sleep-filled eyes fell to mine.

“Daddy?”

“Yeah, bud, it’s me.”

“Is it morning already?”

Chuckling, I shook my head. “Not yet, but I need to speak to you.”

Gray’s lip pouted out and he pushed himself to a sitting position. “What is it?”

Fuck, I hated doing this. I wished there were a way to safely keep Gray with me and still find Aiden, but I didn’t think it was possible.

“Aunt Laura is on her way to pick you up. You’re going to have to spend a little more time with her,Halmeoni, and Grampa. I’m sorry, kiddo.”

Gray’s face scrunched in anger, and if I didn’t feel so heartbroken, it would be kind of adorable. “But I just got back.”

“I know, Gray.” I sighed. Alright, here went nothing. “Remember how Aiden was supposed to come back here the other day, but he didn’t?”

Gray nodded solemnly. He was willing to listen to my excuse but was getting prepared to pitch a fit, I was sure. “Well, I just got news that Aiden is in trouble and needs some help. I don’t want to leave you, but I have to help find Aiden.”

Gray’s anger morphed to concern in an instant. He had such a big heart, and it made me so fucking proud. “Is Aiden ok?”

“I’m not sure, bud, but I really hope so.”

“Can I come with you? I know you need to go, but I want to help Aiden too.”

Oh, this sweet, sweet, child. “I know you do, Gray. But Aiden is somewhere that’s not safe for kids.” I was guessing that was a solid assumption anyway. “So the best thing you can do for Aiden is stay with Aunt Laura and be good for her.”

“But you’re coming back, right? I’ll still get to live here with you after you find Aiden?”

It was like someone took a sledgehammer to my heart. I scooped Gray up in my arms and hugged him tight. Was I doing the right thing here? “Yes, Gray. I promise I will be back and this is still your home and it will always be. Me and you, we’re a team, right, buddy?”

There was a flicker of doubt in Gray’s eyes but he nodded and held out his fist. “You and me.” I bumped his fist and he smiled sadly.

I was desperate to put a real smile back on his face. “You know what?” Gray shook his head and shrugged. “A little birdy told me that Aiden really likes peanut butter chocolate chunk cookies. I bet if you ask Aunt Jana orHalmeonireal nice, they’ll help you make them for him. And that way when he gets back, he’ll have all of these awesome cookies he can eat to make him feel better.”

Gray’s face lit up. “And fudge! I think he’d like fudge too!” Laughing, I wrapped my arms around Gray, needing to be close to him now.

“Fudge sounds good.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him that fudge was way too sweet for Aiden, or at least the fudge Jana made was.

“I’ll be good for them, Daddy, and make all of the treats so Aiden can be happy when he gets back.”

I kissed the top of his head, trying to hold back tears. How could my heart be so full while also breaking at the same time? “He will be so happy, Gray. You’re a great helper.”

I felt Gray’s head moving against my chest as he nodded knowingly. “He will be back, right, Dad?”

Fuck, how did I answer that? “I’ll do everything I can to get him back here, kiddo.”

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