Page 80 of In Hiding

“Will?”

William rubbed his eyes again and blinked hard, just to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. “Uncle Erik?”

The big man stepped closer, angling the umbrella so it covered William. “What the hell are you doing here?”

William gulped. “I heard there was a Viking in town. I didn’t think it would be you.”

His uncle broke into a smile and reached a big hand toward him. “Up you hop.” With a yank, he tugged William to his feet and held the umbrella over both of them. “Look how much you’ve grown. Last time I saw you, you barely came up to my knees.”

“Hardly,” he managed, before Uncle Erik pulled him into a hug. Big muscles moved under the gray suit.

“You’re soaked. Come inside.”

William had no choice, as Uncle Erik led him between the cars and into the glassed office. “Shouldn’t you be locked up?”

They stopped moving and his uncle spun to face him with a wry smile on his face. “Shouldn’t you be in school?”

“It’s lunch time. Besides, it’s not like I’m breaking the law or anything.”

His uncle chuckled, the sound bringing back warm memories. “Actually, it is. For the record, I’m not the one breaking the law. I’m a free man. Wait there.”

William watched him disappear into a back room and return with a towel. He tossed it across the room before he went to the big coffee machine. He pressed buttons on the machine and they watched as a paper cup dropped out of a slot and was filled with brown liquid. William rubbed the towel over his hair as water dripped down his back, making him shiver again.

“Does Mama know you’re here?”

His uncle shook his head. “And you can’t tell her.”

“But—”

“Not yet.” He frowned and leaned on the counter to stare at him. William had seen that fear in his eyes before. “You shouldn’t even know I’m here. It’s too dangerous.”

He took a step forward. “What do you mean? Dangerous? Is he coming?”

With a shake of the head, Uncle Erik stepped around the counter and came to William. He took him by the arms and held him firmly. “No. Your dad’s still in jail.”

William shrugged him off, twisting out of his grip the way Jake had shown him. “He’s not my dad!”

His shouting surprised them both.

“I mean,” he sighed. “I wish he wasn’t.”

It was a stupid hope. Nothing could make that happen.

“Will, I’m sorry.”

Staring at the floor, he couldn’t meet his uncle’s eyes. “It’s William, now.”

“Hey.” His uncle’s feet came into view as a finger touched his chin. “Look at me.”

He was too ashamed to look up and meet the gaze of a man who was brave enough to save Mama, but ignoring the sound of Uncle Erik’s voice was too hard. The man hadn’t only saved Mama, he’d save William as well. Tears blurred his vision as he lifted his head. Uncle Erik smiled.

“I’m sorry, kid. I can’t imagine how hard it’s been for you.” His uncle’s fingers touched the scar on his temple. “How are you doing?”

William shrugged. There were good days and bad days and sometimes, there were days when he couldn’t make the anger go away. “I’m scared.”

“Of?”

“Of turning out like him. Of not being able to save Mama if he comes back.”

---