Were things fine between them?Oh hell no.
He never,evertalked to anyone about his feelings for April. Except for Ben, who knew the whole story. But, Shane was a fool if he thought his boss hadn’t noticed a change in their relationship, ever since the drive-by. April had gone from flirting right back at Shane to avoiding him when possible, and when not, doing her best to not engage.
Shane shut the conference room door, hit call, and April answered immediately.
“You bastard. Where is my son?”
Shane flinched from the icy venom in her voice, directed right at him. Then he realized his number came up on her phone as private. This wasn’t personal, this was the voice of a mother who would scorch the earth to get her son back.
“April, it’s okay. It's Shane. I've got Kevin. He’s safe.”
She gasped. “Shane? Oh, God, I'm so, so sorry. I didn’t know it was you, the number came up private. I thought it was…never mind what I thought. Kevin’s okay? Where did you find him?” Her words practically ran together.
“Yes, he’s okay. He just?—”
Shane almost told April that they didn't even have to go searching, Kevin had shown up at Watchdog’s doorstep. But, he decided to hold off until he knew what had inspired—or more like driven—Kevin to come all the way out to Watchdog.
“—took off on his bike after the fight to cool down.”
She sighed wearily. “I was worried sick, but I can’t say I blame him. I used to do the same thing whenever I fought with Regis’ mother in high school.” She laughed bitterly. “I guess she’s right; the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Only, she called my son rotten.”
Shane frowned, then it clicked. “You mean Leslie? Are you telling me her little brat’s been picking on Kevin? And when did she have the nerve to say that bullshit to you?”
“Yeah, Kevin punched Regis today, and of course Pirogue called in Leslie first and told her everything. She shot her shitty little remark at me on my way in to talk to him. Also, she’s going to sue us.” If April sounded weary before, she sounded downright dead-tired now. “I’ll come get Kevin. Where?—”
“No need, I’ll bring him home.” Shane paused. He hadn’t been to April’s place since he’d returned to Lyons. Bringing Kevin there felt too intrusive, especially since the freeze-out after the drive-by. “Are you at Riversong?”
“Yeah. I’m here.” Then quieter, almost to herself, “I’malwayshere.”
“Then we’ll meet you there,” Shane told her. “See you in a few.”
“Yeah, see you. Oh, and Shane?”
“Yeah?”
“It really means a lot to me thatyoufound him. Thank you.”
Her words surprised him and the heaviness in her voice tugged at his heart. Maybe this was a new beginning for them. “April, I'd do anything for you and Kevin. Anything.”
But she'd already disconnected, and his words floated out into nothing.
True to his word,Kevin was still in the reception area. He was sitting across from Jodie at the desk, the two of them engaged in a puzzle. Shane had no idea where Jodie had gotten it, but he wasn’t surprised—she was twice as resourceful as some of their bodyguards, and that was saying a lot.
“Looks like you grabbed more than one snack,” Shane said, eying two empty potato chip bags beside the beginnings of the puzzle.
Kevin turned and looked up, but only for a moment before his entire attention zoomed in on Peetie, leashed and standing at attention beside Shane. Kevin's smile threatened to split his face as he jumped up and out of the chair and sprinted toward the dog. Just like in Kyle’s office, he pulled up at the last second and looked back up at Shane.
"Nowis he on duty, or can I still pet him?"
Shane's eyebrow quirked at Kevin's self-restraint. But when it came to Peetie, Kevin wouldn't risk doing anything that might get him banned from playing with the dog.
“You can still pet him. Besides,” Shane pointed out Peetie’s barely contained wiggling that had started the moment he caught sight of the boy, “I think Peetie would never forgive me if I didn't let you.”
“That's because Peetie and me are buddies, isn't that right, Pete?” Kevin said as he dropped to his knees (Shane envied kids whose knees hadn't been banged up by life yet and could stand the impact of a move like that) and vigorously scratched behind Peetie's ears as the dog groaned.
Jodie stood. "The second bag's on me," she said as she picked up both wrappers and tossed them in a wastebasket. "I'm just glad he's okay. You hear that, Kevin?" Kevin ignored her in favor of Peetie, who was now rolled over on his back for a tummy rub.
"Thanks, Jodie,” Shane said. “You're the best."
