Page 8 of Echoes of Danger
“I did go to the police, and because of the DNA proof, he was arrested and sentenced to fifteen years in prison,” she continues. “I can see you’re putting two and two together, Mr. Reynolds. My son is the result of that rape. And yes, he does know. Three months ago, I received news that my rapist was out early for good behavior. To make a long story short, he broke into my house and tried to kill me.”
Moving her hair back over her shoulder, she exposes her throat, and I see a long scar, mostly healed, along her throat.
“I’m only alive today because my son is a hero,” she says, tears shining in her eyes. “He heard the commotion while he was in the shower, grabbed the gun that I bought for protection, and shot his father without a single ounce of hesitation.”
Standing, she smiles at the baby monitor showing my sleeping daughter.
“My son hasn’t been the same since that day, Mr. Reynolds. I don’t think he ever will be. But, if you hire me to care for your daughter, I promise that he’ll be her shield against the world when you’re not around to be it yourself. He’s a good boy. He won’t cause any issues. Our past is right where it needs to be. In the past.”
For a moment, the room is filled with a heavy silence, the weight of her words sinking in. I’m not sure what to say or how to process the story she just laid bare before me. But one thing is clear; this woman and her son have been through hell and back.
Her eyes, still locked on mine, are filled with a mixture of pain and strength, and I realize just how much courage it must have taken for her to share that with me.
“Delphi,” I begin, my voice low and steady, “I can’t pretend to know what you’ve been through, but I can tell you this: you and your son are welcome here. Whatever happened in the past, you both survived it, and that says a lot about the kind of people you are.”
Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, but she doesn’t let them fall. Instead, she offers a small, grateful smile. “Thank you, Mr. Reynolds. That means more than you know.”
I stand, moving closer to her, my gaze softening as I look at her. “It’s Jacob,” I correct gently. “No need for formalities.”
“Jacob,” she repeats, a bit more at ease.
I nod, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Your son sounds like a brave kid. And if he’s anything like you, I have no doubt he’ll be a good influence on my daughter.”
She swallows, her voice thick with emotion. “He’s had to grow up too fast. But he’s a good boy, and he’ll do whatever it takes to protect those he cares about.”
I nod, the decision already made in my mind. “Then let’s do this. You’re hired, Delphi Mae Lewis. And I’ll make sure you and your son are safe here. No one’s going to hurt you again.”
Her smile widens, and for the first time, it reaches her eyes. “Thank you, Jacob. We’ll do our best to make this work.”
I extend my hand, and she takes it, her grip firm and full of promise. “Welcome to the family,” I say, and I mean it on a level she’s nowhere near ready to accept.
As she releases my hand, I can’t help but glance at the baby monitor where my daughter sleeps soundly. For the first time since she came into my life, I feel like I’m taking a step in the right direction. For both of us.
Chapter Three
Delphi Mae
“Ma, you don’t have to do this. I told you I would get a job and care for us.”
We’re standing next to my old junked-up car parked right outside my new boss’s house, and I sigh.
“I’m not having this conversation with you again, Elijah,” I say frustratingly. “This job is the best thing that’s happened to us in a long time. The pay is good, and we’re ten minutes from your school. You don’t have to ride the bus anymore. Doesn’t that make you happy?”
“What would make me happy is knowing that when I leave for school, you won’t be harmed by the man, the stranger, that we’re moving in with.”
“Honey, he’s not going to hurt me,” I soothe. “He hired me to help with his daughter. Harming me is the last thing on his mind.”
“You don’t know that, Ma,” he says, looking down at me with concern written all over his face.
Elijah is a big boy. He’ll be a beast of a man when his body is finished growing. But, even behind the bravery his size may give him, I see fear deep in his eyes.
My baby boy is no longer there. Not after he killed his father. His only concern is keeping me safe.
“You have no idea what kind of person this guy is,” he continues, pulling my travel bag from my hand. “He could be playing the long game. Pretending to be this nice single father inneed of help when what he’s really after is a woman to use and abuse.”
“Elijah Lee,” I gasp. “You shouldn’t think so negatively of people you haven’t even met.”
“He’s not wrong, though.”