Page 37 of My Addiction
I wait for someone, anyone, to contradict the answer. But no one does.
“But the FBI…” I start.
“We will not allow them time to take or hurt another child,” Alessia gently places her hand on my forearm. Trying to be reassuring, I’m sure. I look back at Ronan.
“Colton,” Xavier says quietly, “You need to trust them. One day, I’ll tell you how they saved me, but for now, go with it. They know what they are doing.”
That statement was a shock to me. Xavier had to be saved. He’s so happy and seems carefree.
Ollie squirms in my lap, and I hold him tighter. My thoughts are all over the place with all of this information. Ollie’s baby shampoo hits my nose, and it pulls something into focus. What if I hadn’t found those papers? What would have happened to him if I had been just a little slower getting him away? Who would have helped me?
“But Ronan,” I start again. Not to argue the point. Hell, I didn’t really know what I was saying. He places his hand on the back of my neck and gives me a reassuring squeeze.
“No,” he says firmly.
“No, what?”
“We aren’t waiting on anyone else.”
“You can’t.” I stammer out.
He cocks his head and studies my face. “We can.”
“What if you get caught or worse, get hurt?” I’m getting riled up again, and Ollie pushes off my chest. He reaches for Ronan, who takes him without hesitation.
“I won’t. I’m not losing you.” He says, rubbing Ollie’s back. The motion of his hand as he comforts my brother makes my heart clench.
“So that’s it? It’s decided.”
“Yes.”
I want to believe him. Deep down, I do.
Once back in Ronan’s office, I have a newfound drive. If the Murphy family were going to risk everything to do this, then I was going to do everything I could to help. I hack and gather as much information as I can about everything I can remember. The time goes by too quickly. I don’t even notice when Alessia walks in carrying Ollie.
“Da!”
I turn and smile at him.
“Hey buddy,” I hold out my hands for him to come to me. For some reason, I’m relieved when he does. “What time is it?”
“It’s a little after five,” Alessia tells me.
My gaze goes back to my screen. I’m so close to finishing the last of the email hacks for one of the core members.
“I was wondering, Colton.” Alessia draws my attention back to her. “Would you mind if my little junebug had a sleepover with me?”
My shock must show on my face. Ollie is a little over eleven months old and has never been away from me. I don’t know what to say.
“I understand if you say no. But it would give you and Ronan some time to,” she hesitates, “finish the files you are working on tonight. I can promise you that he will be well cared for. Besides, Franklin has been working on some new baby-appropriate foods for him and would love to have the official taste tester on site.”
“Franklin?” I ask.
“Our chef. He’s the one who made those little trays for him.” She says proudly.
I look over at Ronan. I want to stay longer to finish this up, but I don’t know if I can let Ollie out of my sight right now.
“Dad and Mom both raised all of us, so they have experience. They also have armed guards at their place.” He shrugs. Ronan’s mind fascinates me most of the time. He knows that I worry about Ollie’s safety, and that is the reassurance that he gives me. But the emotional part of being separated doesn’t seem to register.
