“Mommy!” He threw himself off my lap. Ran to his mother, now running to him.
A hot lump filled my throat. Just as hot as the tears stinging my eyes.
“Okay,” I said, rising to my feet. “Let’s go.”
I needed to get out of there. Bobby was with his mother. Now it was time for me, Lucas and Groot to go home.
All I wanted to do was wrap my arms around the man I loved, kiss him, and ignore the rest of the world for the rest of the day.
At my feet, Groot shook away his doggy nap. I scooped him up and, with a quick smile at the beautiful and tearful reunion happening between Bobby and his mom, took Lucas’s hand.
At some point in time, I’m sure she and I will meet, talk, but now wasn’t that time. I just wanted to go home. Lucas clearly sensed my mood. With a silent nod, he squeezed my hand and we hurried from the bullpen.
No one stopped us. Everyone was too busy watching Bobby and his mom.
I saw more than one big tough cop wipe at his eyes.
Yeah, emotions were high. So when Lucas and I stepped through the door onto the sidewalk, I wasn’t prepared for what greeted us.
Cameras. Media cameras. And phones. Everywhere. People everywhere. Shouting question at us.
“You found Robert Walker,” a man shoved a microphone at me, the man beside him doing the same with the camera on his shoulder, “and fought with his father. What did Andrew Singer say to you? How did you find Robert?”
I stumbled backward. Groot began to growl. Lucas wrapped an arm around me, pulled me hard to his side and—other arm raised—shoved a path through the throng.
More shouted questions. More cameras and phones pushed into my face. So many reporters, so many questions…
My heart raced. Groot snarled and barked. Lucas shielded me from the crowd.
And then we were in a car—his massive Dodge pickup—and tearing away from the curb.
And that’s how, in saving a little boy stolen by his angry father, I became famous.
And drew the unwanted attention of the high court judge who wanted Lucas dead.
Chapter 2
We arrived home in record time.
Francis and Fluffy met us at the garage.
Fluffy took Groot. Lucas gave Francis a quick pat on the head.
“You okay?” Fluffy asked me.
I smiled at the massive Marine. “Do you mean am I in any condition to get a lecture from you and Lucas about leaving this morning without you?”
&nbs
p; Fluffy nodded.
I chuckled, slumping against Lucas. “In that case, no. I think I want a shower.”
Fluffy frowned. His jaw bunched and his shoulders stiffened. He was angry with me.
Which in turn made me angry. I pushed myself away from Lucas. “You know, I’m pretty damn certain Bobby Walker wouldn’t have come anywhere near me if I’d been flanked by a grumpy Marine, a guard dog and-or a scowling MMA fighter, so the pair of you can just bite me. Something amazing happened this morning, and I’m glad. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”
I stomped into the house.