Page 69 of Problems

I quieted a snort. As I gazed at him I was hit with just how much I'd changed. I'd always been a stickler or as Cian said, I had a stick shoved up my ass. Now? Whenever Jack did something that should have irritated the fuck out of me I found amusement in it. When he made a mistake, I moved on quickly. Did I still want him to do things right? Of course. But I took it slow, showed him how to do it, talked to him until he got it right. I didn't lose my shit over it or write him off. Jack was a smart, strong, capable young man, more than I ever thought I'd see.

Or maybe I'm not so hard on him anymore because I care about him.

My chest tightened as I watched him brush water from his shirt. It was more than that. Maybe it was because we were locked in a small house together, but... I felt more for him. And it grew every single day. What should have been a simple assignment had turned into so much more.

"Why are you staring at me, Daddy?"

My heart flip-flopped. "No reason," I said. "Come on. We're almost back home. I'll make you breakfast."

Jack perked up. "Anything?"

I nodded. "Anything. You've been doing so well lately. You deserve a reward."

He grinned. "Then I want pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausage..." He ticked food items off on his fingers.

I shook my head as I started to move again. "Where are you going to put all this food?" I poked his stomach as he caught up with me.

Jack laughed before he slapped my hand away. I stared, mesmerized. He always frowned back home. Maybe the Arizona heat was doing his brain some good. Something had changed, that was for sure.

"I'll race you back!" Jack called.

He took off and left me in the dust. "How were you dying five minutes ago and you're fine now!" I called after him. "Get back here!"

I picked up speed, but allowed him to stay ahead. The view of his ass was better from where I was.

I was distracted by the sound of a car. Reluctantly, I was forced to draw my eyes away from Jack's form and look around. A black car drove by, headed to the corner and disappeared around it. Once it was gone, I relaxed.I'm turning into a paranoid person.My gazed turned back to Jack.

Until the car resurfaced again.

My stomach knotted.It's no big deal. They might have forgotten their keys and need to head back home. There could be a million scenarios that explains why that car is here.I tried to stay calm.

"Jack!" I called. "Come back here. Now!"

He stopped and turned to look at me.

"What's wrong?"

"Come here," I growled.

Without another question, Jack turned and jogged back in my direction. As soon as he was in reach, I tucked him against my left side. I tried to look into the car and figure out who was behind the wheel, but the windows were tinted. Back home, it would have raised black flags. Out here, tinted windows were normal, a way to keep the blazing sun out. Even knowing that, my stomach stayed in knots. Something didn't feel right.

"Finnian?" Jack frowned. "What's the matter?"

"Just stay close," I said as I turned on my heels and doubled back. "We'll go around the other way and jump the back wall."

"What?"

I grabbed Jack's hand. He didn't fight, didn't argue with me. Instead, he ran with me. We rounded a corner as we dipped through an alley and came out the other side. I led him in another direction and then another before we were right behind our house.

"Quick," I lowered myself and offered my locked hands. "I'll give you a boost J--."

I glanced up in shock as Jack vaulted over the back wall. There was a thump as he dropped to the other side.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he called. "I'll get Cian."

"Have him check the cameras."

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