Page 55 of Off Limits Daddy

"This isn't the time to worry about this fake engagement, Duncan."

He flinched like I'd hit him. "You think that's what this is about?"

I steadied my voice. "I don't know. But to answer your question, no. I can't go with you. I can take you there, but I have a job to do. Being a bodyguard isn't it."

His jaw tightened. "We're not going unless you go."

"Duncan—"

"I only trust you. Aiden only trusts you. And fucking hell… it will be better if he could stay here. Don't you think? To uproot him will only add to the trauma."

He had a point, I suppose. But we were talking about Aiden's safety.

"Can you keep us safe here? If I homeschool Aiden and we stay put? You could then continue to get close to him and find out what he knows."

"Yes," I said without hesitation, even though I should have thought about it more. "But I'll still have to go to work. Other agents will be here during that time."

He nodded. "Okay."

I sighed. "I need to talk to Aiden. Has he said anything?" I looked around. "Where is he?"

"He's in his room. He's been quiet the whole time. I'm afraid this has set him back."

"I need to talk to him… even if it's hard. You understand that, right?"

He nodded. "Yes. Can I be there?"

"Of course."

I followed Duncan upstairs, noting how defeated he seemed. He pushed open Aiden's door. "Hey, buddy, look who's home."

Aiden was curled around a stuffed teddy bear, lying on his bed. It angered me that someone had done this to Aiden. They made him feel unsafe and afraid.

"She needs to ask you questions about today."

Aiden squeezed his eyes shut tight, like it would keep the world away.

"I know it's scary," I said. "But I need to know what happened so I can get the bad guy. You're safe now."

Duncan sat on the bed, his hand rubbing Aiden's back. "You're brave, buddy."

"Aiden? Was the man Wally? Your last foster dad?"

Aiden shook his head.

Not a surprise. "Did you recognize him?"

Aiden shrugged.

My neck tingled. "Who was he?"

Aiden climbed into Duncan's lap, burying his face against him.

"I'm here, little guy." Duncan held the boy, his gaze looking to me for help.

My heart wanted to stop the questioning, but Aiden would never be safe until I found out who was after him. "Can you tell me who the man was?"

Aiden kept his face hidden, but his fingers formed into a gun.