"Will, baby," Hector said as he hugged the man, "you need to remember that you aren't the only one who was hurt here. This was done to Wilson, too. He's as much a victim of what happened as you and your mother were."
Wilson rankled at the word "victim," but he understood what Hector was saying. "Jillian and I never had any children. We tried a few times, but it never happened for us. If I'd known about you…” Wilson shook his head then dropped his head down to hide the tears that sprang to his eyes. “I would have loved you so much," he whispered.
"Are you…does that mean…you can't love me now?" Will asked in a small voice.
Wilson's head snapped up. A kernel of hope ignited in his chest. "I would if you allowed it." He swallowed hard, his throat almost too thick to speak. "I'd like nothing more than to get to know you better and be a part of your life."
"I know your father is dead, but what about your mother?"
Wilson grimaced. "She's still alive, but I wouldn't advise establishing a relationship with her. She's cut from the same cloth as my father. Life for her is all about rubbing shoulders with the rich and politically connected. If she believes she can use you, she will. If she can't, then you hold no value to her."
"Your parents sound delightful," Hector said.
"Yes, well…"
"I'm so sorry," Will said. "At least I knew my mother loved me."
Wilson nodded. His relationship with his mother was tentative at best. He hadn't kicked her to the curb simply because he didn't need the media frenzy that would follow. That was something else he needed to mention to Will. The man needed to be warned.
"There's one more thing," he said. "I'm a senator, and that means I'm often in the spotlight. If people learn I have a son, especially one born out of wedlock, they're going to descend on you like locusts."
Hector's jaw clenched. "That could be a problem."
"I understand." Wilson's heart sank. He'd been afraid of this. He grabbed the papers off the table and shoved them into his briefcase before standing. "If you ever need anything, anything at all, I hope you'll call me."
"No, wait, you don't understand." Will glanced at Hector. "We need to tell him."
"Will—" Hector began.
"He's a senator. I'm sure he can keep a secret."
Wilson frowned. "What secret?"
Chapter Six
"Hector, tell him," Will insisted.
Wilson slowly sat back down. He didn't know what to think when Hector's shoulders slumped. What secret could be that bad? He didn't want to cause problems between Hector and Will. They truly seemed to care for each other.
"Maybe you shouldn't tell me."
"No, Will is right. If you're going to hang around, there's a few things you need to know, but none of it leaves this house. People's lives could be in danger if word got out.”
Now Wilson was sure they shouldn't say anything.
"Here's the short version. Our house is a stop on the underground railroad for battered women."
Wilson's eyebrows lifted. "The underground railroad?"
Hector nodded. "We help women who need to get out of abusive relationships, women who can't go the usual route."
"I'm not sure I understand."
"Okay, long version then."
Will chuckled as he snuggled closer to Hector.
"My mother was in an abusive relationship before I was born. My father beat her pretty much every single day. Every time she tried to escape, he simply hunted her down and brought her back then punished her even harder for the inconvenience she'd caused him."
