“I know.” I stared down at my son. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Three Months Later
Paige
It was two a.m. as I sat in the rocking chair, rocking my son back to sleep, as he was cradled in my arms. One of his small fists was wrapped around my nightshirt, refusing to let go.
“You’ve got a grip on me already, little man,” I quietly spoke. “It didn’t take you long. Can I let you in on a little secret? I used to think attachment was a weakness. That it was something that got you hurt. It was something to be avoided if you wanted to survive.” Gabriel turned his little head. “Yeah. I was wrong about a lot of things. I didn’t know what any of this was supposed to feel like. I was made not to feel. But your daddy changed all that. He showed me what I didn’t think I was capable of. And then there’s you.” My emotions heightened. “And somehow, between your daddy and you, you rewired everything. You’re not going to grow up the way I did. There will be no training, no fear, and no looking over your shoulder, wondering who’s coming for you. I won’t let that happen.”
“Are you negotiating terms with him already?” Parker leaned against the doorway with his arms folded.
“He’s a tough client and doesn’t compromise.” I smiled. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“You didn’t. But I did hear your little conversation over the monitor.” He stepped into the room and placed his hand on Gabriel’s back.
“He’s been out for a while. But yet, he refuses to admit it. You know how much he loves to stay awake,” I smirked.
“He’s already stubborn. Definitely yours.” Parker smiled.
“Careful, Hamilton.”
“I meant strong, sweetheart.”
“That’s better.” I stood up and carefully laid Gabriel in his crib.
Parker hooked his arm around me, and we walked out of the room.
“Promise me something,” I said.
“Anything.”
“Promise me that he can make his own decisions in life. If he wants to be a lawyer, great. If not, that’s okay.”
“I promise. But what if he wants to be an assassin?”
“Over my dead body.”
Parker let out a chuckle. “I’m glad we’re on the same page.”
I pulledup across the street from the art gallery/command center for Hearthstone. Taking Gabriel from his car seat, I stepped across the street and stared at the pile of dirt. There was a sign that read, “Future home of Yoga Hut.” As if we needed another yoga joint in this city.
“I did this, little man. I burned it all down. Every room. Every secret they tried to bury. They don’t get to exist anymore. You won’t remember this. Next time we pass by here, you’ll always remember it as a yoga studio. You will never know what happened here, who these people were, and what they did. Maybe one day, I’ll tell you about my life. Probably when you’re in your 30’s. You have the right to know who your mother was before you were born. But make no mistake, little man. I’m still that same person. Just a softer version.” I kissed his cheek, and he laughed.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Parker
The past year flew by, and it was hard to believe that Gabriel was already one year old. We planned the perfect birthday party for him at our home, on the beach. Between our work schedules, we hired a part-time nanny to help out with the baby. She was a godsend and loved Gabriel.
“Where is Paige?” I asked Tracy, our nanny. “People are scheduled to arrive in a couple of hours.”
“She said she wouldn’t be long, Parker. Don’t worry. She’ll be here.”
“I hope so.” I pulled my phone from my pocket and tried calling her again. It went straight to voicemail. “Paige, sweetheart. This is your loving husband. Our son’s birthday party starts in two hours. Where are you? Call me ASAP.”
I chasedthe man into an alley. He lunged at me, and my fist hit his jaw, sending him crashing into a stack of crates. I heardfootsteps from behind. Without turning, I drove my elbow back into his ribs so hard that I heard the air leave his lungs as he hit the ground. More footsteps. Another man had followed us. I turned around and stared at him.
“Still thinking about it? Huh?”