My presence helped a little, but at least he didn’t freak out over that, except for when he started to struggle and scratch at his throat. The knife cut wasn’t all that deep and really didn’t even need the glue, but it was better to be on the safe side with all the other injuries.
The doctor almost wanted to secure Dakota’s wrists to the bed, and that’s when I had stepped in. There was no way I’d be able to allow that. Pinning someone to a bed after being rescued in the way the boy had wouldn’t turn out well for anyone.
So, I was Dakota’s personal binding. For over twenty-four hours, I held him tightly, talking and just being there for the boy. It was all I could do.
“Did the doctor say when he’d be released?”
“No. I didn’t ask. He’s not a fan of me.” For good reason.
“Okay. Well, I don’t think anyone is coming after him.”
“And what of the others?”
“The sellers? Taken care of. They will be seen in court.” I heard the words not spoken. That was only if they weren’t killed off while in jail, awaiting trial.
“Collin found more than enough information from Jeffery’s and Donald’s devices for us. I’m glad he’s on our side.”
Unofficially, Collin wasn’t on any side but his own. But I didn’t say that. He’d be paid a heavy amount and work under the rug to keep specific details out of the media.
“I’ve started looking for places that will take him. Safe ones, with Collin’s help.”
“Fuck that. He’s staying with me. I lost him once. Let him go one time too. Both times, he’s closer to death than he ever was with me.”
“Good.”
“What?” I turned towards her.
“I figured that’d be your reply.”
Huh, well, okay then.
I turned back to look through the window. Dakota had tears falling, but his mouth was moving slowly. So at least, he was answering whatever they wanted to know.
“Do you love that boy, Allister?”
Was I capable of feeling that? Whatever I was feeling was more substantial than any I ever had before.
“I don’t know.” The words were full of truth as I rubbed my chest. “I’m…attached.”
“So is he. The way he’s clung to you the few times I’ve been by to see you two.” She paused, looking into the room briefly. “I think, this time, it’d be okay if you did. Love him, I mean. The heart is..well, the heart. It loves what it wants.”
“The other cases made me feel protective over the ones before.” Anna had been someone that I had gotten close to at one point. She had been my second rescue and stayed with me for over six months. At a point in time, I thought maybe I did love her. She was full of life, even when life tried to knock her down. Sweet and perfect in her own way.
But once she was off and I moved on to another case, so did Anna. She moved towns and got on with the life she always wanted. I hadn’t heard from her again after that, which was what I expected after every case.
But she had been different. Yet, Dakota was, too. He was more.
“I don’t do love.” That’s the whole reason why I chose this career path. I didn’t want to deal with feelings that were currently running through my body.
“So you’ve said. But the way you are looking at him tells a different story.”
I didn’t turn to look at her. She’d see too much on my face.
“Come on, let’s go rescue your boy before he has a full meltdown.”
Thank God.
She beat me to opening the door and walking right in like she owned the place.
