Page 25 of Secret Baby for a Damaged Billionaire

He hesitates as if weighing the costs of opening a sealed chapter, then says, “There was this one mission,” he begins, his gaze never leaving Charlie. “We were tasked with rescuing a group of hostages from a heavily guarded compound. But when we got there, we realized it was rigged with explosives, a ticking time bomb ready to wipe out every soul inside. If we didn’t act fast, everyone would be killed.”

I listen without interruption, giving him space.

“Ultimately, I was the one to make the call, to disarm the bombs and extract the hostages, knowing full well it put my team at risk.” His voice is steady, but I can sense the pain lurking beneath the surface. “I deployed my bomb crew, young guys, brilliant minds, and watched two of them blow to bits right in front of my eyes.” His words falter for a moment, his silence punctuating the echoes of his past, and he clears his throat. “It’s a scene that refuses to fade.”

As I listen to the rawness of his confession, deep sadness builds in my gut, knowing he was scarred, always doubting if a different decision may have ended better.

“You have to remember the faces of the people who were saved that day,” I whisper. “The sacrifices of the soldiers from your platoon, they were the lifeline for everyone else. Their bravery made survival possible.” I reached my arms around his ribs. “War is a horrible thing. None of it was caused by you.”

I know my words are only that, mere words, but I feel his taut muscles gradually relax under my hold and I’m reassured that I can help, even in this small way.

And then my thoughts drift to my wounds, Dom’s infidelity, and the callous disregard with which he discarded me. A stark realization dawns on me that Lucas, despite his haunted past, would never want to hurt me in that way, he’d never want to hurt anyone. He just needs peace.

As we stroll into the park, I notice how the sunlight filters through the trees, casting warm golden rays onto the ground. The world suddenly seems brighter, filled with possibilities. I glance over at Lucas, who appears lost in thought, his brow furrowed. Instinctively, I reach out and give his hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Hey, everything’s good,” I whisper, offering him a small, encouraging smile, and he squeezes my hand back.

Suddenly, Charlie catches sight of another dog approaching in the distance. He slows down, lowers his head, and evaluates the potential threat. I can’t help but laugh as I watch him, struck by the similarity between Charlie’s reaction and Lucas’s protective instincts.

But then I notice Lucas, his spine straightened, eyes sharp, as he feeds off Charlie’s energy.

“Look at that,” I interrupt the mounting tension. “Charlie’s channeling his inner Navy SEAL!”

Lucas’s shoulders immediately drop, as he realizes there’s not a true threat. “Looks like he’s taking his cues from me,” he says with a grin. He then leans down and speaks soothingly to Charlie, letting him know there’s no reason to be on high alert. “It’s okay, buddy. There’s no threat here. Just another friendly dog.”

As we continue our walk, I practically see the anxiety washing off Lucas as he keeps stride with Charlie. I can see the two together and wonder if Lucas would be able to take on the challenge of having a dog. The two of them need each other.

Casting a sidelong glance at him, I open my mouth to voice my thoughts, but he beats me to it. His grip on the leash tightens, his knuckles white against the dark leather, as he draws in a deep breath.

“I wonder….” His voice is slightly hesitant. “I wonder if I should consider adopting Charlie.”

Chapter Twelve (Lucas)

Time is closing in before the championship fight and everything in my life takes a back burner. I can’t focus on anything except getting my fighters ready. Every detail must be perfect in order to continue Walker Enterprise’s climb in the world of MMA.

“Pick up the pace, team! We need more power, more speed!” My words echo around the gym, bouncing off the sweat-streaked mats and tension-filled air. This showcase is a big deal, a game-changer, and no one needs an extra memo to understand that.

The gym is bustling with activity, every fighter in the room delivering punch after punch, sharp kicks slicing through the air. Their muscles flex with exertion, their focus riveting. My gaze scans the room, taking in each fighter, scrutinizing every move. My brain is a hurricane of tactics and techniques, constantly analyzing, revising, and improving.

“Damien, guard up!” My voice cuts through the chaos as I stride over to one of my top fighters, currently choke-holding another ace. “You’re an open book right now.”

“Got it, Coach,” Damien pants, his face covered with determination and sweat as he tweaks his stance.

There’s a tangible tension in the air, yet underlying it all is a bond of brotherhood among the fighters. They know I’ve got their backs, and the trust they place in me is absolute. The mounting stress, though, starts to nibble at the corners of my patience.

“Break time, five minutes,” I order, rubbing the back of my neck. The fighters collapse onto the mat, gulping down water and wiping sweat off their faces. I watch them, doing my best to suppress the anxiety brewing inside me. “Keep in mind,” I call out again, “we’re a team. One man down, we’re all down. Let’s make every move count.

“Lucas,” a voice sneers from the doorway. A chill runs down my spine as I recognize the malicious tone. My muscles tense immediately, ready for a fight.

“Carlo,” I greet through gritted teeth, turning to face him. “What do you want?”

“Nothing much,” he replies nonchalantly, sauntering into the gym. “Just thought I’d drop by and lend you some advice.” He smirks, eyeing my fighters. “Seems like you could use it.”

“Your ‘advice’ is neither needed nor wanted,” I snap back, crossing my arms.

“Suit yourself.” He shrugs, feigning innocence. “But if I were you, I’d work on their defense.” He points at one of my fighters, who is visibly annoyed but remains silent.

“Get out,” I order, barely keeping my anger in check.

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