“Go into the house, Harp’s.”
I do as I’m told, knowing better than to go against an order when a brother thinks danger is around. Holly jumps as I come in and nearly drops the formula. “Where did you just come from? I thought you were in bed.”
“I couldn’t sleep. I was out with my dad.” I cross the kitchen and offer, “Do you need any help?”
Wolf begins to cry and without her having to ask, I pick him up and sway him in my arms while she finishes preparing his bottle.
“I have to keep reminding myself that this stage doesn’t last long,” she murmurs.
She still hasn’t mentioned Leo, and I don’t bring him up. Everyone deals differently and I get that. Though it’s not to say that I couldn’t be as calm as her if JJ were in Leo’s position.
There's a knock at the door and we both stare at one another. If it were Dad, he would let himself in. JJ would let himself in. And Leo is not here.
I pass Wolf over to Holly and peep through the small window in the front door. “It’s Dad with a guy in a suit.”
I open the door, and I catch the tension between my dad and the stranger as they step inside.
“I only let him in cause I knew you were up, he says it’s important and can’t wait.”
Holly sticks the bottle in Wolf’s little mouth and his cries fade to suckling noises.
“You’re Annie’s uncle, aren’t you,” she says.
“I am. Like I told this man, I thought it was best to get this sorted as soon as possible. It’s in the best interest of the kid.”
The man places an envelope on the kitchen island and pushes it toward Holly.
I take back the baby and continue his feeding while standing back with Dad. He watches every move the strange man makes, his hand resting on his side, where I know his gun to be. My dad is getting on with age but I’d still hide behind him and believe he could still protect me.
“Still, I wasn’t expecting you so soon.”
Dad steps closer. “You know who this man is, Holly?”
She nods. “It’s Wolf’s great uncle.”
The man doesn’t flinch, and he never looks at Wolf. Holly slides out the papers from the envelope and flips through them.
Her eyes widen as she reads a check. “Is this right?”
The man nods. “Yes, it should be enough to help with the cost of raising him.”
“And you’re sure Annie doesn’t want to raise him?” Holly urges.
The man is losing patience, I don’t have to know who he is to tell that about him.
“I’m sure,” he says adamantly. “We will have the same deal that I had with Shane. Under no circumstances will you ever tell him about his mother, not her name, nothing. Tell him she died during his birth.”
“Lie to him?”
“If you’re not comfortable lying to him, tell him nothing.”
Dad watches the interaction closely and frowns. “What are we talkin’ about here?”
The man turns to Dad and calmly, as if it’s nothing, tells him, “Mrs Jackson and her husband are going to adopt the boy.”
“Her husband is, is he? The husband who hasn’t been home for a few days?” Dad says cutting his suspicious gaze to Holly.
I wait for her to flinch, but she keeps her head held high. “Cas, this is my business.”
