At first, I think she heard something that alarmed her. All around us, there’s a cacophony of sound. Then the color drains from her face, and her fingers tighten on mine, her breath coming short and shallow.
“Jo?” I murmur, stepping in front of her. “What is it?”
Then I follow her gaze to a man, standing across the path, hands on his hips, jaw tight, eyes locked on her. And on the baby in my brother’s arms.
The man has corn-yellow hair curling under his hat, bright blue eyes, and a lean, rangy build that screams rodeo hand or drifter.
I know who he is before she even whispers it.
“That’s him,” she breathes. “Raylan, if that’s even his name. That’s… Little C’s father.”
A cold rush hits my spine.
The man’s already walking toward us, shoulders squared, eyes narrowed, and Joelle instinctively steps further behind me. That alone is enough to snap something in my chest.
When Raylan-fucking-dirtbag gets close, his gaze flicks between Joelle and me, and then lands on the baby.
“Joelle.” He tips his hat. “It’s been a while.”
She makes a choking sound in her throat because what in the actual fuck? He has sex with her once, taking her virginity, and then leaves without a backward glance. And now he’s commenting on the time that’s lapsed like she had something to do with it.
“She doesn’t want to see you,” I say, resting my hand protectively against her hip.
His eyes drift over her with a possessiveness I want toknock from his smug face, then they land on Little C. “He looks like me,” he says flatly.
“You need to step back,” I growl. “Right now. You understand me?”
He smirks, his shoulders tensing. “You never called me, Joelle.”
“You didn’t leave me your number,” she spits.
I touch her wrist and ease her behind me again. There’s no point in her engaging with this man in any way. He’s baiting for a reason.
“You knew where to find me.”
“Listen, buddy.” I step forward, meeting him eye to eye. “This woman and this boy. Take a good look at them because this is the last time you’re ever laying eyes on them. Do you understand me?”
His eyes search my face like he’s assessing whether I’m willing to back up my threats with physical action. He’d be an idiot to test me. There’s nothing more despicable in my eyes than a man who dupes a girl into sleeping with him with slick words, slicker smiles, and promises that vanish with the dawn.
Caleb steps closer, shifting the baby to Joelle, who takes him and cradles him close.
“Joelle,” the man says, ducking his head around me, completely ignoring my threats. “Why don’t you come talk to me? We have unfinished business.”
He reaches out for her, and Joelle gasps, recoiling.
“LEAVE,” Caleb growls.
His voice is deadly calm in a way that seems to cut through, but my blood hits a boil. I shove Raylan back hard.
He stumbles but rights himself, glaring at me. “Who the hell do you think you are?”
“The man she’s with,” I snarl, stepping between him and Joelle fully.
His eyes flick to Little C again, and something meaner sparks in his stare. “That kid’s mine.”
“Yeah?” Caleb laughs bitterly. “What’s his name, huh? When’s his birthday? You spent money on the boy? Fed him? Clothed him? Looked after his momma?”
Raylan’s jaw ticks but he lacks the decency to appear shamed.
