by Kari Lemor
Jack glanced at the tag on the small crib. “You named him Jonathan.”
Callie rested her hand along the baby’s head, slyly touching Jack’s arm. The heat was instantaneous. “After his father.”
His mouth tightened and his eyes shuttered. He was hiding his emotions but Callie had always been able to read him, much to his chagrin.
“I’m honored. You have so many reasons to hate me.”
She wasn’t sure she could ever hate Jack though she’d cursed him often. He was the reason she’d agreed to stay friends with Angelo. She’d felt safe with him around.
“What happened between you and Angelo? I never got the whole story. Victor’s a bit biased in his opinion. He doesn’t know you’re FBI though.”
“Was FBI,” he muttered and his voice grew harsh. “I haven’t had much to do with them lately. They’ve got a leak and I can’t trust anyone there.”
“Haven’t they had you in protective custody? What happened?” All this time she’d pictured him holed up in some fancy FBI hideaway.
Jack’s face hardened but his arms remained gentle with their son. “Protective custody was a joke. My first few locations were compromised so I had to protect myself. It’s why I couldn’t contact you. I wanted to.”
He held out his free hand but stopped inches from her face. Did she want him to touch her? Yes. No. Her mind was too muddled to know what she wanted.
Jack looked around the room as if trying to make a decision. To tell her the truth?
“Why did you kill Angelo?”
“He knew you were pregnant. Some doctor friend.”
The same one who had blabbed to Victor before she could disappear. It showed her how huge his reach was.
“He saw me coming from your house that last morning. He was furious.”
“He knew about us? Was jealous? We were friends, that’s it, regardless of what his father thought.”
“He had plans for you and an unplanned pregnancy didn’t fit in with them. He tried to kill me. I got him in self-defense.”
Callie’s stomach plummeted and her breath stopped. “He…oh, my God. Were you hurt?”
“Not as bad as Angelo.” He shrugged. Typical Jack, downplaying his injury.
“What were these plans he had for me?” Angelo had always been sweet to her, but if he worked for the mob, he obviously had a darker side.
“It doesn’t matter. He’s dead.” Jack’s face was like granite. He was done talking about the subject.
“Where have you been all this time?”
“Running. Hiding. Victor put a hit out on me.” He averted his gaze as if embarrassed. He’d want to face this head on, but Victor was too powerful, even for someone like Jack.
She let out the breath she didn’t realize she was still holding. “No one’s been helping you all this time.”
“My cousin, Scott, and a few guys from my Army unit. They’re the only ones I trust right now. They’ve helped move me around the country, keep me safe, but unfortunately haven’t been able to get me any closer to putting Victor away.”
Jack had talked often about his cousin. They’d been raised like brothers after Scott’s parents died.
He pressed his nose against the infant, breathing deeply. “He’s beautiful, Calico. Like his mother.” His voice changed, became rougher. “Victor thinks the baby is Angelo’s, huh?”
“Yeah, I couldn’t tell him the child’s father was the man who killed his son. Or even suggest that I’d been seeing someone else. He’d have been furious. I couldn’t win either way.”
He moved closer, the proximity making her dizzy, unsure. His hair was longer now than the last time she’d seen him and she ached to run her fingers through the dark unruly locks. Longed to touch his face and scrape her knuckles across the stubble on his chin. Shivers flittered through her at the memory of it against her bare skin.
“You were seeing another man, Calico. Me. I shouldn’t have put you in that kind of danger.”
“Maybe not, but you weren’t alone in that relationship. I wanted it too.” She’d admit to being angry at first, but what choice did he have? “Are they any closer to putting Victor away?”
“I don’t think so. My contact with the Bureau is sporadic. The official word is I’ve gone rogue after killing Angelo. That won’t change until we can find the agent in Victor’s pocket.”
Callie’s eyes blurred. “I was able to move here to Connecticut so I don’t see Victor all that often. With the baby, I have a feeling I’ll see him more.”
“Which means I have to stay away. It’s too dangerous to be anywhere near you or Jonathan. I hate this.”
Agony rang in his tone. She wanted to rage at the unfairness of it. Jack was Jonathan’s father. He should be able to watch him grow up. Unless Victor was taken down, that would never happen.
Jack snuggled the baby close, his breathing uneven and rough. She brushed the hair back from his forehead as he sighed.
“I hate the fact that he won’t know who I am. Won’t know how much I love him and want to be a good father to him.”
His words faltered and Callie’s heart shattered along with his. They were powerless to stop it. She’d never known if her parents loved her. They’d been so involved in their adventurous lifestyle that they hadn’t spent much time with her. Had they ever said they loved her? Not that she remembered. Jonathan was barely hours old and already Jack was saying it.
“He’ll know, Jack.” This might be a foolish decision but she never wanted her son to feel unloved—by either parent. She caressed Jack’s cheek, the familiar stubble rough against her fingers. How she’d missed it. “I’ll make sure to tell him. Every day.”
He curled into her hand, kissing the palm. “Thank you, Calico.” Digging his free hand into his pocket, he pulled out a phone then aimed it at his son, clicking a few buttons.
She took the phone, snapped some pictures of Jack with the baby, then sent them to her phone. “I’ll print these out and show him all the time. He’ll know who you are.”
He scowled. “It’s too dangerous to have them.”
“I’ll keep them under lock and key. And I’ll send more as he grows.”
Jack let out a shaky breath, closing his eyes. “It’s killing me to think I might not see him again.”
“Maybe not in person but he’ll know who his father is. And once you put Victor away…” She could only hope that happened soon.
Lowering his head, he whispered, “I love you, Jonathan. Don’t ever forget that.”
How she wished he’d said those words to her. Hesitating, he handed the baby over, bent for a final kiss on the child’s head, then started to move away.
She reached out to stop him. “Be careful, Jack.”
He leaned in to kiss her cheek but she wanted more. Turning her face, she captured his lips with hers. Molten lava flared inside, surprising her with its intensity. But then this was Jack. He’d always gotten that reaction from her.
Loneliness consumed her as he stood up. Lifting his phone, he took a few more pictures then backed away.
“Take care of our son.”
His angular jaw tightened, his gray eyes clouded. Another deep sigh and he was gone.
Had her heart left with him? She looked down at the sleeping child in her arms. No, it hadn’t. A small piece was with Jack but he’d left a large part of himself with her. Right here in the form of their beautiful son.
Chapter 3
Two Years Later
“Happy Birthday, Jonathan.”
Callie gazed down at her son, love pouring from her heart. How could he be two already? Wasn’t it just yesterday he’d been born? But then all parents said that.
The small crowd cheered as he attempted to extinguish the two candles on his cake. Callie stood above him, her breath snuffing out the flames as he blew spit fro
m his mouth. No one minded a little baby saliva with their cake. It was all part of the fun, right?
“Here, you cut the cake and I’ll scoop ice cream,” Heather Silva offered, placing paper plates on the table. Callie smiled her gratitude at her best friend. She didn’t know what she’d do without Heather. They’d been inseparable for more than a dozen years since Callie’s parents died and her great-aunt placed her in a boarding school at the age of thirteen. Heather had shown her the ropes, kept her from being lonely or afraid. She still did.
“Here you go, sweetheart,” Callie said, placing the cake in front of her son. He grabbed for it greedily and within seconds was covered in the confection. The room erupted in laughter.
She moved the cake a few inches away and began to cut pieces for the rest of the guests. It was a small group. Heather, two children from Jonathan’s playgroup with their moms, her neighbor with her three-year-old granddaughter, and Victor.
Her pasted-on smile widened as she glanced his way. Victor leaned against her counter, designer suit standing out amongst the casually dressed guests, smiling at Jonathan’s antics. He may not be demonstrative but he’d been good to the two of them. She couldn’t fault him for that. The man truly enjoyed seeing Jonathan but he also believed Jonathan was his grandchild. If he knew the truth…she didn’t even want to think about what he’d do. Hated the fact his presence was the reason for an extremely conspicuous absence.
Jonathan’s father should be here. He wants to be, but you know why he can’t. How could he show his face anywhere near Victor? I need to stop thinking about him, wanting him.
“Did you hear from Aunt Agatha today?” Heather whispered once everyone had their cake and had moved away to eat it.
Callie’s Great-Aunt Agatha had gotten custody of her when her parents died. She’d never had any children of her own and had no clue what to do with one, especially a teenager. She’d figured Callie would be better off in a school where there were people around who knew how to take care of children. Callie had only visited her during holidays.
She gave a dry laugh, looking at Heather. Her friend wasn’t actually talking about her aunt. Agatha Crumpet was ninety years old and had been living in an expensive nursing home in Maine for the past three years. And she didn’t always remember who Callie was. But that fact alone made her the perfect person to use. Well, for Jack to use. He and Callie had set up several online accounts using Aunt Agatha’s name. No one had any clue her messages to her aunt were her way of keeping Jack a part of Jonathan’s life.
“He…um, she sent a text yesterday saying she would try and video call today after the party. It’s been a while since we’ve had some face time with her. You know how much Jonathan loves it.”
Heather smiled, her eyes twinkling. There were four people who knew the true story. A knock on the kitchen door revealed the other.
“Hey, heard someone was having a birthday today,” Scott Holland called through the screen door. Jonathan waved his frosting covered hands in the air.
“Unta Tott. Tate.”
Callie smiled down at her son’s attempt at speech then beckoned the man to enter. “Hi, Scott. Perfect timing for cake.”
As he entered the kitchen, her breath hitched at the similarities between him and his cousin. It wasn’t blatant. Scott’s hair was a shade lighter and had a bit more wave than Jack’s unruly mop and his eyes were a deeper blue. Jack’s eyes seemed almost gray at times. Stormy like his mood since he’d been on the run. But the crooked smile was similar and they both had the subtle dimple in their chin. Jonathan had the start of one too.
Sauntering over to Scott, Heather placed a chaste kiss on his lips. Callie chuckled at their charade. Since Scott had no reason to hang around here, Heather had suggested they pretend to be a couple. Victor wouldn’t get suspicious and she wouldn’t have to find a reason why this strange man visited Jonathan on a regular basis.
“I’d love a piece of cake,” Scott answered, looking down as he put his arm around Heather. “I’m sure it’s not as sweet as you though, honey.”
Heather tried to keep from rolling her eyes with little success. Callie looked away, suppressing her laughter as she cut another piece of cake for their new arrival.
“Thanks, Callie, this looks great.” Scott bent so his face was level with Jonathan’s. “Is it someone’s birthday today? I brought a present but I’m not sure who I should give it to.”
“Me,” Jonathan yelled, waving his hands in the air. “I two.” Three sticky fingers flashed up at Scott.
He avoided his nephew’s fingers, kissing him on the head then mussing his hair. “Two years old. What a big boy, almost old enough to start school.”
“Oh, don’t remind me,” Callie moaned. “I’ve signed him up for three mornings a week at the church preschool. I’ll probably cry the whole time instead of getting work done like I’m supposed to.”
Victor moved up behind her and she stiffened. “You know, Callina, I’ve told you before there’s no reason for you to work. I’m happy to take care of you and my grandson. You can spend all day with him.”
Forcing a smile, she turned to face him. “Thank you, Victor. That means the world to me. But you know I sometimes need a little time away from Jonathan. I love him dearly but he’s constant motion.”
Callie forestalled the objections she saw coming. “I know you offered a nanny, too, but you have to understand I love my job and being self-sufficient. My boss has been great about allowing me to work from home most days. It’s the perfect balance for me. Jonathan also needs to interact with other children now that he’s a little older.”
She would never allow Victor to support her and Jonathan. He’d want them to move back to New Jersey with him. Her little house in this small Connecticut town was perfect for them. Victor’s mansion was gorgeous but no place for a two-year-old. And the thought of living with a mob boss sent shivers up her spine. She needed the two hours distance so he wouldn’t visit too often.
“Well, my Angelo did say you were excellent at accounting and quite independent.”
Swallowing hard, she tried not to react. Angelo wouldn’t have been complimentary if he’d known the accounting she’d discovered on his computer—information revealing who the Cabrinis were and what had led her down the road she was now on.
“Let’s clean you up a bit, sweetie.”
After wetting a washcloth in the sink, she cleaned the mess off her son. She glanced at Victor. What would her life have been like if she hadn’t discovered the crooked accounting three years ago? She’d never have gone to the cops, Angelo wouldn’t be dead and Jack wouldn’t be on the run because he had a price on his head.
But then she wouldn’t have her precious son either. She couldn’t imagine life without Jonathan. He was everything to her. Maybe she’d make some different choices but she didn’t regret having this child.
Callie lowered Jonathan to the floor to play with his friends while she picked up. Heather came over, shooing her away.
“I’ll clean. Jonathan needs to open his presents. He’s two. Not the most patient age. Go.”
“All right, but I owe you.” She found Jonathan hovering over his stack in the living room.
In what seemed like seconds, the young boy ripped all the paper off and squealed over every new toy. Scott cleared away the wrappings then returned with a huge grin, his hands behind his back.
“I was taking out the trash and I found something on the back steps. You wouldn’t know who it belongs to, would you, Jonathan?”
The boy turned eager eyes to his uncle and shouted, “Mine.”
Scott swung his hand around, a shiny, red tricycle with a horn attached to the handlebars, dangling from it. Jonathan squealed again as he ran to check it out.
“What dis?”
Scott laughed. “This is a tricycle.”
“Twitle,” Jonathan attempted.
“Good enough for now. Let’s see how it fits you. Hop on.”
As Scott assisted the boy onto the seat, Callie crossed her arms, scolding, “You shouldn’t have gotten him something this big.”
Scott’s familiar crooked grin tugged at her heart. “I didn’t. It’s from Aunt Agatha. She asked me to put it together for her.”
Nodding, she tidied up Jonathan’s toys as he was pushed around the room. Soon the boy’s eyes began to grow heavy from his missed nap and people began to leave.
Scott, Heather, and Victor were the only ones remaining. When Victor announced he was leaving, she breathed a sigh of relief. She called for Jonathan to say good-bye. He slid off the tricycle and toddled toward Callie. His attention was caught halfway there and her eyes widened with horror when he spotted her laptop tucked hastily on a shelf. Her biggest fear slipped out of her son’s mouth.
“Dah dee?” Jonathan pointed to the computer knowing this was for when they wanted to see Jack. Damn, Victor couldn’t know this.
His eyes narrowed. “Did he just say ‘daddy’?”
Scooping her son up, she kissed his cheek. “I think he said, ‘doggy’. We’ve been looking at dogs online recently. I mentioned maybe getting a puppy and he hasn’t let me forget it. But I’m not ready to take care of something else that slobbers and drools all day.”
Wiping the corner of Jonathan’s mouth to lend credence to her words, she lifted her son’s hand. “Say good-bye, sweetheart.”
Victor leaned in to pat the child’s head. “Soon, Callina, he’ll need a man’s guidance to mold him into the right kind of person to take over for me. With Angelo gone, Jonathan will inherit everything. I wish you’d reconsider coming to live back in New Jersey. I’ll help raise him right.”
Victor tried to show concern but all Callie saw was the sly look of a criminal who wanted to corrupt her son. Jonathan could not become what Victor was, she’d rather die. Why couldn’t she be brave enough to find a way out of this mess?
Because her last act of bravery was what had gotten her here? She couldn’t risk anything more now that she had Jonathan to consider. Her only hope was the authorities coming through someday. Soon.