He’d met men in prison who’d shuffled from one foster home to another as kids, and wound up on the streets, in gangs, or on drugs. Kids needed a good start in life, lots of love, safety. Surrounded by supportive family.
Lucky spent too many years alone, wishing for his family. He’d gotten his wish, in Bo and in the return of the Lucklighters.
Andro didn’t ask to be brought into this world and abandoned. Something clicked into place in Lucky’s heart, and he knew,knewwhat he had to do.
Before he could stop the words, out tumbled, “We can always adopt him, right?” Damn. Too fast, way too fucking fast. Too fast, but also right.
Bo blew out a breath. “We don’t have to.” Tears glittered in his eyes. “Lucky, she named me as the father. My name’s on his birth certificate. His name is Alejandro Gualterio Schollenberger.”
“What the hell? You know a DNA test would show the truth.” He’d call Cruz, stop him from crossing the border, get Yolanda back here, and make things right. Hell, when he asked the man to make arrangements for Graciela to take care of the mother, he hadn’t meant so soon. Or had she left with someone else? Had the bosses found her?
Voice so low Lucky strained to hear, Bo said, “Only if I contest it.” He flumped down onto the couch, shoving his hand through his hair for the umpteenth time. Three more good swipes and Lucky’d lay odds on pattern baldness. “I know it’s paternity fraud, and I’ve been agonizing over this ever since I found out. But Lucky”—he grasped one of Lucky’s hands in his, staring up with sad eyes—“if I contest it, he’ll wind up in the system, alone and unwanted. The little guy’s got a rough road ahead of him as it is. I… I can’t abandon him.”
No, Bo couldn’t. Bo wouldn’t be Bo without the big heart.
“I’ve been trying to be a good person, make up for my mistakes, but sometimes, doing what’s right is more important than following the rules. Yolanda has no family, the father is long gone, so there’s no one to contest. If anyone we know asks, I’ll tell them the mother was a surrogate and the baby is mine. Only…” He searched Lucky’s face. “I have to have you with me on this. This decision changes our lives forever. Yours and mine. But I need to do this. Even more, I need to know you’re with me.”
The day so didn’t turn out the way Lucky thought when he climbed out of bed this morning. He’d woken up to Bo and lots of plans for the future.
He’d go to bed with so much more planning to do. This whole situation was fucked up on so many levels. On the one hand, what Bo planned wasn’t legal. On the other, it was the morally right thing to do. Bo wanted a son, and a son needed a father.
Right now, though, Bo let his heart call the shots. Who’d have ever thought Lucky would have to be the voice of reason?
“Bo, the mother is a human trafficking victim. Allowing people to believe you’re the father might come across as you taking advantage of a woman in dire straits, no matter that we know the truth. Are you prepared for that kind of shit to hit the fan? The rest of the victims are being helped by anti-trafficking groups. If they so much as hear a word about this…” Lucky didn’t know the consequences, but there’d damn sure be some.
Bo wrapped his arms around his waist, retreating into himself. Running, just like he used to from problems, though his feet remained still. “You’re against this.”
“No, I’m not, but right now you’re letting your heart rule your head. That’s not like you. Normally you’re quoting textbooks at me.” He’d need to do some research.
And possibly call Cruz. How the hell had he wound up needing Cruz?
No matter what the cost, he’d find a way to protect the man he loved, and the child who needed them.
***
Lucky stood on the back deck, checking over his shoulder to ensure no one got nosy about his whereabouts before making his phone call.
“Cruz,” a gruff voice answered. Sounded like Lucky woke someone up. Good. Served the fucker right for not calling.
“Yolanda left the hospital. Please tell me she’s with you.”
“She was. She’s on her way to the safest place I know.”
“Where?”
“Vaya Hermosa, to stay with Abuela Graciela.”
Oh, thank God! Yes, safest place. “Why the hell did you take her so soon?”
“I wasn’t the only one looking for her. For her safety, and her child’s, she needed out of the hospital. Too easy for them to find her there.”
“And she’s okay.”
“She will be.”
“Did she tell you she put Bo’s name on the birth certificate as the father?”
For a moment Cruz stayed silent. “No, she didn’t, but I have to admit it’s a pretty smart move. If he doesn’t fight it. She wanted a good home for the baby. I agree with her choice. And anyone looking for her won’t try to get to her through the child, if a drug agent stands in the way.”
