Page 100 of Allegiance

Then, she was curious.

“What are you hoping it will be?” she asked. “The baby’s gender?”

He didn’t hesitate.

“Mine. I hope it will be mine.”

That’s when the tears came, and he knew he needed to go. He’d come back later. He’d sit outside her house to make sure she was okay.

But for now, he couldn’t hold the emotions back.

He’d been an asshole when he told his friends that kids weren’t a good idea. Twenty minutes with Violet, and having her help him showed him something.

That kids were the reason for it all.

She saw him get upset.

“I’m sorry you’re hurting. I’m sorry she’s hurting. What can I do?” she asked.

He wiped his eyes on his sleeve.

“Well, you can take good care of her when I’m not here,” he said.

“Are The Hunters hunting?” she asked.

He nodded.

“Yeah, we’re still trying to find some missing women, and we’re going to hit a lead today. As for you, though, I want to give you something.”

He pulled out a burner phone, and on it was his number, Jagger’s number, and Maura’s.

“If you need me, or any of The Hunters, call this number, or if you can’t call, head there. You were at the office before, but now, it’s much nicer. We fixed it up.”

She recalled.

“Anyway, tell your mom the crib is done. I’m going to head back so I can go out with the team.”

“You’re running,” she said. “Doctor Gaines said you can only run so long.”

“She’s right. Only, I’m done running. Now, I’m just going to go to work. The Hunters need me. We’re not doing well against this bad guy. He’s winning, and it’s all-hands-on-deck.”

Eve didn’t like that he was going out distracted. She really didn’t like it at all.

She knew what could happen.

He could die.

Suddenly, making him suffer didn’t sound like such a good thing.

It scared her.

“Give your mom this,” he said, handing her a note. “I’m going to go. I don’t want to upset her when she’s pregnant, but like I said, I’ll be back. If you guys need us, head to the house two blocks away.”

She felt bad for him.

So, she hugged him.

“Despite what you think, Dakota, you’d make a good dad. I hope you get what you’re wishing for.”