Jack rested his hand on Dylan’s shoulder. “It’s tough for her. She wanted better for you than this.”
“She couldn’t have stopped what happened.”
“I know that, and she does too, but she hates that you’re going through this.”
Dylan tilted his head to the side as he studied Jack. “You like her.”
“I do.”
“I think she likes you too.”
“I hope so,” Jack said.
Dylan lifted the stick as he stared at Jack with a sudden, unexpected hardness in his eyes. “Good. Don’t hurt her.”
The way the boy held the stick made it clear he’d stake Jack if he did hurt her. Jack almost laughed at the idea of this child trying to stake him, but the look in Dylan’s eyes silenced him. Jack realized Dylan was as protective of his mother as she was of him. Dylan liked him, but if Jack laughed now, he would alienate the boy.
“I promise I will do everything possible to make your mom andyouhappy,” Jack vowed.
“And you won’t hurt her?”
“I’d rather cut off my hand.”
“Good.”
Jack almost asked Dylan if he’d come live with him when this was over, but he held the question back. Charlie wouldn’t like it if they discussed that without her.
Jack pulled the rabbit off the fire and lowered it to the ground. He waited for it to cool before handing it to Dylan as some of the other humans stirred and threw aside their blankets. Dylan pulled out a knife and sliced meat from the rabbit. He tossed a piece into his mouth before handing some out to the others.
“I’m going to check on your mom,” Jack told him.
“Okay,” Dylan said. “I’m going to wait for Clifford to wake up. He promised he’d tell about the Vietnam War. Did you know he fought in it?”
“I didn’t,” Jack said. “I’m sure he’ll have plenty to tell you.”
“Me too,” Dylan said and tossed another piece of meat into his mouth.
Jack squeezed Dylan’s shoulder before rising and making his way to where Charlie remained hidden. He was nearly to her when she turned and walked back through the tunnel. Jack admired the sway of her hips and the firmness of her ass while he followed her. With every step, he became increasingly aroused until walking became difficult. She could help him forget about Doug for a little bit, and he desperately needed that relief.
She clicked on her flashlight before entering a small side tunnel and turning to face him. “He likes you,” she whispered.
“I like him too,” Jack said.
“Don’t hurt him.”
“Funny, that’s exactly whathesaid to me aboutyou.”
Charlie smiled; of course, he had. “What were you two doing?”
“I was showing him what I could remember about the anatomy of the brain.”
She backed up when Jack stalked toward her with a hungry gleam in his eyes. Charlie’s mouth went dry as he closed in on her.
“And now he’s waiting to ask Clifford about the Vietnam War,” Jack said as Charlie backed herself into a wall.
He rested his hands on her hips before his fingers slid down to the edges of her shirt. “Which means we have some time to ourselves,” he murmured as he found and caressed her bare skin.
Goose bumps broke out on her arms. The beat of his heart called to her, but anyone could wander down the main tunnel and discover them. It was unlikely as she’d led him to the farthest side tunnel, and everyone was preoccupied with sleep and the rabbit. Still…
