Whatever’s going on has her rattled.
Lauren moves around the house checking windows and the back door. I head outside to look for signs of anyone on the property. My gaze scans the ground, but there are no footprints, no broken twigs or indents in the grass that could indicate anyone was here.
I find Lauren in the kitchen, wiping down the counter, her hands moving restlessly over the spotless surface.
I put my hands over hers to still them. She freezes, and her gaze finds mine. Her eyes are like a stormy sea, troubled. Whatever or whoever it is that’s got her frightened, I need to know so I can protect her and her son.
“You going to tell me what this is all about?”
7
LAUREN
Dean deserves an explanation. He drove me back here with no questions asked. Then he quietly checked the property, not asking what or who he was looking for.
For ten years it’s been just me and Kieren, and I’m not used to sharing my problems. Now, with Dean’s hand over mine and his calm gaze on me, I find I want to share. I want to open up to Dean. But where to begin?
I let out a long sigh. “My ex-husband, Kieren’s father, isn’t a good man.”
“Did he hurt you?” Dean’s voice is strained, and his body tenses.
“No.” I shake my head. “He tried to run me off the road last time he was out.”
Dean’s eyebrows shoot into his head. “Out?”
“He’s been in prison, but he was released this week on early parole.” I shake my head, still not believing he has everyone fooled that he’s reformed.
“That’s why you were nervous at the hospital.” Dean’s voice turns gentle, and his care cracks something open inside of me. I’m not used to being vulnerable with anyone, but it feels safe to open up to Dean.
“I’d just found out.”
“And the call tonight at dinner?” Dean runs his thumbs in circles over my hands.
“It was the parole officer. Mark didn’t show up for his meeting this afternoon.”
Dean’s thumbs pause, and his voice goes tense. “You think he might come for you?”
“It’s not me he’ll come for.” My gaze darts down the hall to Kieren’s room. “He wants his son. And he’ll do anything to get him.”
“Including hurting you.”
I lower my head and nod, and Dean runs his hands up my arms, then tilts my chin up. “He’s not going to hurt you, Lauren. Not while I’m here.”
I wish I could believe him, but he doesn’t know Mark.
“He’ll find us. That’s why I move every few years. He has contacts, a network of people, and none of them are good. I thought I had more time. He should be in for another two years. He’s got this idea that Kieren should join him in his ‘business’ as he calls it. But whatever dodgy dealings he’s into, I can’t have Kieren going down that road. He’s so vulnerable at this age, so impressionable. I can’t have him growing up like his father.”
Dean nods and gives my shoulders a squeeze. “Pack your bags.”
I stare at him, confused. “Why?”
“You’re coming to stay with me. Both of you.” His voice is firm.
“I can’t stay with you. I don’t even know you.”
Dean pulls me against him. His hard muscles graze my soft places, and heat pools between my legs. Even at a time like this, my body responds to him.
“Would it help if we did this first?”
