Page 280 of Claim Me
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The next morning at ten o’clock, Gabriel’s dad arrives at our house carrying shopping bags stuffed to the brim with things for the baby.
First he has to pass through two separate security gates, then James lets him into the foyer and eventually into the enormous living room on the first floor of the estate.
The very first thing he does is head straight toward the nursery, almost hurrying while asking how I’m feeling.
During the entire visit he absolutely cannot get enough of the baby. He only sees Cyan. He keeps picking him up over and over, and honestly I don’t have the heart to separate him from the child.
At one point he asks, "Have you thought about how you’re going to balance work with raising him?"
Gabriel sighs. "We’ve been debating it. Realistically we’d need an entire army of bodyguards around here, so we’ll probably end up taking little Cyan with us pretty often… although that’s not exactly an ideal solution."
At that, his dad blushes heavily and suddenly says, "Maybe I could become his caretaker."
"Dad, you don’t realize what kind of danger could appear around here. You know there are all kinds of lunatics who don’t exactly like Blue…"
"I know. But I’m the right person to take care of him. He’ll be safe with me."
"Dad," Gabriel sighs again, "I really appreciate the offer, and honestly it would be ideal if it were you staying with him. Family caring for a child is always best. But we genuinely needsomeone who could handle a situation if some psychopaths showed up here… Sure, the estate has walls and security everywhere, but if a group like the one that kidnapped me and Blue ever came here, you wouldn’t be able to handle it…"
"I would," Gabriel’s dad says calmly.
Silence falls.
Gabriel bites his lip slightly, as if he suddenly feels embarrassed, or like he thinks his dad is about to make himself look ridiculous in front of me.
"????," he says under his breath, "?? ?? ?????????, ????????? ??? ????????…"[22]
"But I do understand. And I can handle danger."
"But how? If they tried to kidnap you or Cyan?"
Gabriel’s dad leans over the round bassinet where Cyan is lying and lifts him into his arms.
"Try to take him from me, Gabriel."
A heavy silence fills the room.
"Dad, seriously…"
"Try to take him from me, Gabriel," his dad repeats calmly.
I look at Gabriel’s face and suddenly his eyes widen.
"Oh shit."
Gabriel glances toward me. He probably activated his five-second talent.
"Blue, look at this!"
Gabriel walks up to his dad and reaches for his shoulder, but his hand passes straight through the omega as if he were made of air.
Wow. My mouth actually falls open.
"Dad… what is this? How are you doing that?"
"You know our family legend."
