Page 66 of Off Limits Daddy

In between school lessons, I'd sneak away to call Brett, checking on the business and asking about his life. He was managing fine without me. Brett had always been reliable that way. But part of me missed the familiar clang of weights and the smell of sweat that signified hard work and dedication.

"How are you holding up?" he asked me.

"As well as could be expected." At least for a guy who had a son being chased by the mob and was falling in love with a younger woman who wasn't looking for a commitment.

"Everything okay with the agent?"

"Why do you ask?" My voice sounded defensive.

"No reason. I just… this fake engagement thing… is that still a thing?"

I'd been waiting for Social Services to show up and take him. So far, they'd not even called. Veronica told me she'd informed them of what was going on, so I figured they decided he was safe with me and her.

"Right now, it's all about keeping him safe."

"Right."

There was silence. "Does the age thing between you and Miranda bother you?"

"Ah… no. Where did that come from?"

"It did at first, though, right?"

"What bothered me was that Miranda was Lindsay's best friend."

Right. That was weird.

"Have you fallen for a younger woman? And where did you find the time?"

I wasn't normally a man who kept his thoughts or feelings to himself. But I wondered if I should tell him about Veronica. What would be the point? It wouldn't change anything.

"If you have, Duncan, I'm happy for you, man. I know you want a family?—"

"She's not at that place in her life. She's all about the job."

"Is it the agent?"

"Yes. I actually met her before all this. She came to the gym. I don't know, Brett… there's no reason for me to feel like this. She doesn't want what I want. She's nearly twenty years younger?—"

"And yet? I hear you. I felt the same about Miranda. Like I'd lost control of my heart. And it turned out for me. It will for you too."

Not with her, and that was a crying shame because my heart was breaking thinking about the day she'd walk away from me and Aiden. "I doubt it, but…c'est la vie, right? First things first, though. I need to make sure Aiden is safe."

"Well, don't worry about the business. It will be here when you get back."

"Thanks, man."

I found Aiden playing video games when I ended the call. The day proceeded as usual. We played. I cooked dinner. We ate, pretending like our lives were the most normal thing. Sometimes, Veronica joined us, and I'd get lost in the idea of our being a family. At night in bed, with her in my arms, I imagined a life where she'd go off to save the day for someone else while Aiden went to school and lived like a normal kid and I took care of the home and ran my business. Hell, maybe I'd retire or sell my half to Brett and just be a house dad.

But every morning, the sun rose, and with it, the reality that when Aiden was safe, Veronica would leave and with her, she'd take my heart.

19

Veronica

Every case I've ever cracked had that moment—the endless cycle of dead ends. And here I was, right smack in the middle of one. Every time, getting stuck was frustrating, but this time it was worse. Worse because the life of a little boy was in the balance. Worse because I couldn't bear to let him down, or the man who'd committed his life to raising him.

I leaned back in my chair, stretching my arms above my head as if that would clear my mind and help me see what I was sure I was missing. I'd been so sure I was on the verge of breaking the case two weeks ago after Aiden's near-abduction, but since then, nothing. I'd continued the hunt for Jonny Walters. I'd even talked with Oliver, who'd been surprised that Aiden had identified Jonny as the gunman and attempted kidnapper.