“How old are you?”
“Sixteen.”
What the fuck?“What happens if there’s an emergency and you need to get in touch with him or the police?”
“I...my dad says I don’t need a phone. So forget it,” Ava said, turning to walk away, but Alistaire stopped her.
Yeah, why would he let you have one? This way, you can’t call for help when you need it.
“No, I won’t forget it.” Alistaire reached out to touch her but held back. “I know we just met, and you might not want to open up to me, Ava. I can tell when something isn’t right.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Do you want me to say it?”
Ava’s eyes widened after a few seconds, then barked out a laugh. “Come on, Deputy. You think my dad is abusing me?”
Her response didn’t phase Alistaire. He knew she would brush off his suspicions.
“Tell me I’m wrong,” Alistaire demanded.
“You are,” Ava snapped. However, the look in her eyes said otherwise. “My dad wouldn’t do anything like that to me.”
Alistaire nodded, knowing she was lying. But there wasn’t anything he could do about it other than watch out for her from a distance. Like the first time he met Genesis, Alistaire felt a connection to Ava and a desire to protect them both.
What the fuck is happening to me?
“I’m not going to force you to tell me, but I want you to know you can come to me anytime you want to talk.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a business card, and scribbled his cell phone number below his name. “Keep this with you, and if anything happens, call me. I’ll come and get you.”
Ava took his card, biting on her lips, looking between him and the card before putting it in her back pocket.
“Are we still going out for that burger after you get off work?”
“Yeah,” Alistaire nodded. “Meet me at the station at five, and we’ll go to Bella’s.”
Ava beamed and nodded excitedly. “Can I order a pie, too?”
“You can order anything you want.” He ruffled her short brown hair before getting into his cruiser and drove off.
Goddess, what the hell did I get myself into?
* * *
Fox madesure Genesis was secured tightly in her car seat before he got behind the wheel. Since getting out of the hospital, he hadn’t been off the Hannigan property and needed some time away.
Fox was still trying to process the information after reading Crevan Hanigan’s journal. Knowing why he got pregnant was touching and left him less confused, but it didn’t fully ease his guilt—it just made him understand Crevan Hannigan better.
He wanted to leave a child behind for his family to love in his place. It was blind luck my soul took over his body.
Crevan loved his family and couldn’t hurt them by telling them he was going to die. So even though they argued and begged him not to get pregnant, the man stood in his resolve.
Not having a mate wasn’t a factor. He’d already figured with his heart condition, finding someone to love wasn’t in the cards for him. Fox wasn’t under the same illusion as Crevan. He wanted a partner to go through the ups and downs with. He wanted to be loved and give love back in return.
He was about to pull out of the driveway when the passenger door opened, and Zev stuck his head inside the car.
“Where are you going?”
“I’ve been stuck in the house for a bit and need to get some fresh air. I promise I’ll be back soon.”
