Think.
You never realize how crazy genetics are until it’s right in front of you like now. His resemblance to his mother is uncanny—almost an exact replica, but still so different. I watch as his small body moves with every breath he takes and wonder if my plan will even work, and that’s frustrating. I’ve never been one to care what people think or worry if I hurt them, but for some reason, the thought of causing Lily pain makes me feel something.
Something I’ve never felt before.
Shaking the thoughts away, I lean over the crib and grab the boy’s limp body. As soon as I have him tucked against my shoulder, his head raises. From my peripheral, I see his sleep blue eyes lock on my face. Turning and exiting the room, I raise my finger to my lips, then close the door behind us.
“I’m not going to hurt you, Max. Your mommy just needs a lesson on how far someone is willing to go to get what they want.”
Of course, he doesn’t even reply. Hell, I don’t even know if he’s old enough to form sentences. If I had to guess, he’s maybe only three, but what do I know? Kids aren’t my thing.
When we make it to the bottom of the stairs, I finally turn and look at him. He’s still staring at me with curiosity, but he isn’t scared. It strikes me as odd because I heard kids know when someone is bad— they can sense it like some sort of animal— but he’s completely calm.
“Papa.” His quiet voice is high-pitched and soft all at the same time.
I shake my head and cock a brow at him as I slip back out the front door. “No. Eric.” I point to myself with my thumb. “Eric. Not papa.”
Nuzzling his head back in the crook of my neck, he closes his eyes and repeats himself. “Papa.”
Rolling my eyes, I don’t even try to argue. What’s the point? He wouldn’t understand. So, I look both ways before crossing the street and slip back into the SUV with Alfredo.
4
ERIC
“So, why the baby?” Alfredo asks once we pull away.
“He’s not a baby, he’s a toddler.” I look down at Max’s sleeping body in the seat next to me, then change the subject. “She needs to realize just how close I can get when I want.”
“So you steal a whole child?” I can hear the concern in his voice.
“Not steal— borrow. We’re going to bring him back. I just need to prove something to not only her, but Clyde too.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Clyde is starting to lose his trust in me. I knew it the moment he sent me to South End and you only confirmed it earlier. If I can show him I’m still as ruthless, maybe it will earn some of it back and bide me more time.”
“More time for what?”
“You sure are asking a lot of questions tonight.”
He shakes his head as he continues towards Clyde’s place. “I just don’t want to see this innocent baby hurt because you’re having a dick measuring contest with Clyde.”
“Wow. Alfredo has balls tonight.” I laugh to myself.
Swerving to the side of the road, he slams on the breaks and throws the car in park. “I’m serious, Eric. A child this small has no business in this life regardless of who his family is.”
I tip my head and lean forward in my seat. “Yeah? Are you going to stop me then?”
“If I need to, yes, but you’re not stupid. You may think you have everyone fooled into thinking you’re a heartless monster, but I see the real side of you.”
“Real side?”
He nods. “The side you think you hide. The one where you stare at that woman’s silhouette through the window too long. Or how right now, you’re making sure your voice stays low so you don’t wake him.” He shakes his head and turns around. “You can try and play it off all you want, but I see your armor cracking.”
I narrow my eyes at the back of his head before pushing back in my seat. “Why do you care so much? The kid isn’t even yours.”
“Why do you?” He counteracts my question with his own before putting the SUV back in drive and pulling away from the curb.
