Page 97 of Claimed By Ruin

“Leave him for now. I’ll let you know what’s going on.”

Then he was gone, making sure to close the door behind him.

He’d be back.

He’d promised me, and Jack never broke his promises.

I kept repeating that like a mantra, refusing to accept anything else. Played the same montage over and over in my head for what felt like hours, but in truth was less than five minutes.

I had my hand on my own gun as the door opened.

“Don’t shoot me, Counselor,” Jack said.

“What is it?” I asked, studying his face, searching for something.

He stared at me, his eyes hard, unreadable.

And then, he smiled.

“He’s awake,” Jack said as he walked in.

He leaned the rifle against the wall, walked over to the crib, and picked the baby up. Levi was so tiny in his hands, and Jack cradled him tenderly, holding him with the love I knew he had for us both.

He stepped towards me, kissing me softly on the lips, then gestured towards the door.

“Come on. It’s time for Levi to meet his Uncle Evan.”