He pressed his nose against the infant, breathing deeply. “He’s beautiful, Calico. Like his mother.” His voice changed, became rougher. “Victor thinks the baby is Angelo’s, huh?”
“Yeah, I couldn’t tell him the child’s father was the man who killed his son. Or even suggest that I’d been seeing someone else. He’d have been furious. I couldn’t win either way.”
He moved closer, the proximity making her dizzy, unsure. His hair was longer now than the last time she’d seen him and she ached to run her fingers through the dark unruly locks. Longed to touch his face and scrape her knuckles across the stubble on his chin. Shivers flittered through her at the memory of it against her bare skin.
“Youwereseeing another man, Calico. Me. I shouldn’t have put you in that kind of danger.”
“Maybe not, but you weren’t alone in that relationship. I wanted it too.” She’d admit to being angry at first, but what choice did he have? “Are they any closer to putting Victor away?”
“I don’t think so. My contact with the Bureau is sporadic. The official word is I’ve gone rogue after killing Angelo. That won’t change until we can find the agent in Victor’s pocket.”
Callie’s eyes blurred. “I was able to move here to Connecticut so I don’t see Victor all that often. With the baby, I have a feeling I’ll see him more.”
“Which meansIhave to stay away. It’s too dangerous to be anywhere near you or Jonathan. I hate this.”
Agony rang in his tone. She wanted to rage at the unfairness of it. Jack was Jonathan’s father. He should be able to watch him grow up. Unless Victor was taken down, that would never happen.
Jack snuggled the baby close, his breathing uneven and rough. She brushed the hair back from his forehead as he sighed.
“I hate the fact that he won’t know who I am. Won’t know how much I love him and want to be a good father to him.”
His words faltered and Callie’s heart shattered along with his. They were powerless to stop it. She’d never known if her parents loved her. They’d been so involved in their adventurous lifestyle that they hadn’t spent much time with her. Had they ever said they loved her? Not that she remembered. Jonathan was barely hours old and already Jack was saying it.
“He’ll know, Jack.” This might be a foolish decision but she never wanted her son to feel unloved—by either parent. She caressed Jack’s cheek, the familiar stubble rough against her fingers. How she’d missed it. “I’ll make sure to tell him.Everyday.”
He curled into her hand, kissing the palm. “Thank you, Calico.” Digging his free hand into his pocket, he pulled out a phone then aimed it at his son, clicking a few buttons.
She took the phone, snapped some pictures of Jack with the baby, then sent them to her phone. “I’ll print these out and show him all the time. He’ll know who you are.”
He scowled. “It’s too dangerous to have them.”
“I’ll keep them under lock and key. And I’ll send more as he grows.”
Jack let out a shaky breath, closing his eyes. “It’s killing me to think I might not see him again.”
“Maybe not in person but he’ll know who his father is. And once you put Victor away…” She could only hope that happened soon.
Lowering his head, he whispered, “I love you, Jonathan. Don’t ever forget that.”
How she wished he’d said those words to her. Hesitating, he handed the baby over, bent for a final kiss on the child’s head, then started to move away.
She reached out to stop him. “Be careful, Jack.”
He leaned in to kiss her cheek but she wanted more. Turning her face, she captured his lips with hers. Molten lava flared inside, surprising her with its intensity. But then this was Jack. He’d always gotten that reaction from her.
Loneliness consumed her as he stood up. Lifting his phone, he took a few more pictures then backed away.
“Take care of our son.”
His angular jaw tightened, his gray eyes clouded. Another deep sigh and he was gone.
Had her heart left with him? She looked down at the sleeping child in her arms. No, it hadn’t. A small piece was with Jack but he’d left a large part of himself with her. Right here in the form of their beautiful son.
