"This is all we have." Jojo pulled the bag off his back. "We had to leave in a hurry."
I clenched my jaw at the anger that slammed into me when I saw the fear lurking in Jojo's pretty green eyes. "I don't know what you're going through, Jojo, but I will protect you. You and Tommy."
Jojo frowned. "Why?"
A hundred million different reasons.
"You're my mate."
"I—"
I held up my hand to stop him. "Nothing in this world will ever change the fact that we are mates, Jojo. Whether you allow me to claim you or you move on, it is still a fact. And no matter what occurs between us, it is my duty and my right to protect you and yours."
"I didn't want to deny you before," Jojo whispered. "I hope you know that. I just…" His gaze dropped to the child at his side. "I couldn't—"
"I know," I quickly said before walking back over to stand in front of them. "I know why you did what you did, Jojo. I don't fault you for it." I smiled as I glanced down at Tommy. "I could never fault you for staying with your son."
"You have to know that I wanted to go with you. I just couldn't."
I swallowed tightly as I raised my hand and touched my mate for the very first time, lightly caressing the side of his face. I closed my eyes briefly when Jojo shuddered then leaned into my hand.
I wanted to touch him more, to hug him and never let him go.
I knew I couldn't.
I opened my eyes and stared down at him, trying not to tremble. "What will you allow?"
"Anything."
"Jojo, you don't know—"
"I do know," Jojo said hurriedly. "I've ached for you, Stalker. I've dreamed of being in your arms, of allowing you to claim me. There are very few things in this world I want more."
"Then why—" I snapped my mouth closed. I was stupid to be asking anything when Jojo was handing me my heart's desire on a silver platter.
"Why what?"
"I heard you were getting married again."
Jojo shook his head. "Not by my choice. It was never my choice."
Wait.
What?
Chapter Six
"What wasn't your choice, Jojo?"
I shook my head before shooting a pointed look at my son. "I'd like to talk to you about it, but not with little ears around."
No matter much I hated being married to Myra, I would never betray her memory in front of her son. Myra would always be Tommy's mother, and she had given me the gift of our son. That could never be repaid.
"Maybe after he goes down for a nap?" I know I was reaching here. I didn't even know if I would be allowed to stay. But I could hope. "I think we have a lot to discuss."
"I couldn't agree more." Stalker smiled, and it was a beautiful smile. "There's food in the kitchen, and we've set up a room for you and Tommy upstairs next to mine. We should be able to talk and hear him just fine."
My eyebrows rose. "You set up a room for us?"
