Page 11 of Gator

“I don’t mind,” he said. “I’m staying out at the mansion, and it’s way too big for me. I’ll move my things.”

“Thank you,” she said, crying again. “I’m sorry. I’m like a puddle! I can’t stop crying.”

“Your son was taken from you,” said Luke. “That’s a big deal. Take some time with Hiro, Hazel, and Piper, and draw out the house as best you can. We’re going to do some recon of our own. Until then, stay on the property, Dylan. If he calls you again, we’ll see it.”

“Will you listen? I don’t want to say anything wrong, or that would put you in danger,” she said, staring at them. They realized that she truly was trying to do the right thing.

“Someone will be with you so that you don’t say anything wrong,” said Cam. “Right, Gator?” He looked up at his father, knowing the game he was playing.

“Right.”

CHAPTER SIX

“Dad, what the hell are you doing? I may not be here much longer. I haven’t made my decision yet. You know that.”

“I know that,” said Cam, looking up at his son.

He wanted to hold him tightly to his chest, never let him go. He remembered those few weeks when he took care of him, not knowing if he was his or not. He was such a happy baby, always laughing and smiling. Now, his son was taller than him, a stern expression on his handsome face.

“Then why are you putting me in her cottage?” he asked.

“She’s scared, Ian. If you don’t want to help her, I can find someone else. I just figured if you were here, you could give us a hand.”

“You know I will, Dad. I just don’t want to lead her on,” he said, frowning.

“Lead her on? You’re awful full of yourself, Ian Dougall,” frowned his mother, standing in the doorway.

“I didn’t mean it that way, Mom.”

“Didn’t you? The handsome, suave SEAL is irresistible? I think she can manage to control her hormones, Ian. Just protect the girl and keep her safe.” His mother’s expression was fierce, and it confused the shit out of him.

“Mom, I really didn’t mean it that way,” he said quietly. Kate took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

“I’m sorry. I know you didn’t, but I feel for that young woman. She was alone with an infant and thought she could trust someone. I felt the same thing once. I was wrong, way wrong, but I thought I only had me and my nanny to trust. It was stupid of me, but I remember that loneliness and fear.

“I can’t imagine what’s going through her head, Ian. A man raped her. A man she trusted. Someone she thought was family to her, and he violated her in every way. I admire the shit out of her for keeping her baby. It would have been very easy to give it up and say he was born of violence. But she didn’t. That tells me what kind of woman she is.”

Ian was quiet for a moment, just staring at his mother. He hadn’t realized how much this might affect her. He stood, pulling her in for a big hug.

“Thank you, Mom. Thank you for everything you did for me. I promise I won’t hurt Dylan.” He kissed her cheek and left the room, heading to Dylan’s cottage with his things.

“What was that about?” frowned Cam. Kate walked toward her husband, taking a seat on his lap.

“I can understand what she did, Cam. She was alone, afraid. I don’t condone it, but I know that her intentions were to keep her son alive and bring him home. I would have moved heaven and earth for Ian, you know that.”

“I know, baby,” he said, hugging her. She rested her head on his shoulder and then kissed his neck, nibbling up to his ear.

“Maybe we should discuss this in our cottage,” she smiled. Cam nodded, leaving the office building. He looked to see Ian standing on Dylan’s porch, his duffel in his hand.

Just knock, he thought to himself. It starts with just a knock.

Dylan opened the front door of the cottage to see the big man standing there with his duffel bag in his hand. He grinned at her, and she took a step back.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Gator?” she asked.

“It’s not a big deal, Dylan. The cottage has a serious security system, and so does the entire property, but this will be like having your own personal guard dog.” She laughed, shaking her head.

“I hardly think of you as a dog.” She bit her lip, looking away as tears filled her eyes. He took a step toward her, and she shook her head. “I’m sorry. I was just remembering that I kept thinking I would get Joey a dog when he was old enough.”

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