Page 12 of Discretion at Its Finest

Reid tipped his head, the corner of his mouth curving as he lifted the mug back to his lips. “Wasn’t any trouble at all.” His dark eyes lingered over the rim as I cleared my throat, looking away from him.

“Done, Uncle Reid!” Eugene declared, and I froze as Reid chuckled, walking over, his smile wide as my face paled even further.

“Look at you… If you keep eating like this, the Hulk is gonna have nothing on you.” He winked, and I watched in still horror as my son, the only thing grounding me, was ripped from my hold… hisuncleholding him on his hip as giggles filled the air. I said nothing, watching silently as he walked over to the sink, wiping Eugene’s hands and face clean before he let him down.

“Now go on, scamp little guy.”

Eugene dashed off, his toy car clutched in one small fist, his laughter trailing down the hall.

The moment he disappeared, silence settled heavily over the kitchen.

Reid stayed where he was, one hand still braced against the counter, watching me like he hadn’t just ripped my son from me in only a split second. “He’s a good kid,” he said.

I tightened my hands on the back of the chair. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be around Eugene.”

Instead of getting angry, his smile widened, a soft chuckle escaping him. “Thought you didn’t mind me giving you a hand. Thought you’d be grateful. Breakfast handled. Happy kid. House still running while you were asleep—”

“I didn’t ask for your help.”

I didn’t like the look in his eyes. It was the kind of look that told me he knew exactly what he was doing to me. I didn’t like the easy shrug of his shoulders either. “It was only breakfast, Vieve. Getting his day started.”

“He has me for that,” I snapped, watching helplessly as his smirk deepened.

“Of course he does.” His eyes dragged over me before cutting back to the empty hallway where Eugene had gone. “Still, he didn’t seem to mind. Little guy just wanted someone to give him a little attention this morning, that’s all.”

“He has a father for that,” I snapped, not knowing where it came from, and Reid stilled, his grin fading into something sharper.

“Does he?” he asked quietly, the weight of his stare pinning me where I stood. “Because from where I’m standing, all I see is a boy who’s lacking that same man in his life… and a man who’s too busy trying to prove himself to notice.”

“You don’t know anything about their relationship.” My voice cracked, and I cursed myself for it.

Reid’s smirk didn’t return, but something darker flickered in his eyes.

“I don’t have to. Kids don’t lie the way adults do. Not when the truth is all they know.”

He took another slow sip of his coffee, his gaze never leaving mine.

“He laughs easily with me, clings when I lift him up… That tells me he’s missing something he’s not getting elsewhere.”

Grabbing the dirty dishes, I ignored him, my pulse spiking despite the low thrum in my chest at his closeness, the hazy feeling in my mind as his scent engulfed me.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. Gregory loves him. He works hard to provide for him. For us.” The lies spewed out of my mouth like they were rehearsed, almost too good that I’d believe them myself.

I stepped away from Reid as his brow arched, that dark glint sharpening. “Provides. That’s the word you choose?“ I didn’t say anything.“He can’t even satisfy you.”

I froze, the plate slipping from my fingers and clattering into the sink.

Slowly, I turned, my chest heaving as his words sank in, poisoning the air between us. “Excuse me?”

Reid didn’t flinch. He leaned back against the counter again, arms folding over his chest smugly. “You heard me. The man can barely keep himself afloat. Relies on everyone else to survive. How can you even say he provides in a home that isn’t his, in a job position he didn’t earn, as a man who can’t even take care of you.” He shrugged. “He falls short. Always has.”

Heat burned across my face, blood roaring in my ears. Despite my better judgement, I crossed the kitchen, fury in my voice, anger coursing through my veins as I closed in, pointing at his chest as I dug my finger into it. “You don’t get to talk about him like that.”

“Why not?” His voice cut through me. “Because I’m right?” he asked, standing to his full height, towering over me as my finger remained pressed to him. “Because when he’s inside you, you close your eyes and picture someone else?Picture me?”

My breath caught, the moment shifting into one that was humiliating. “Shut your mouth.”

Reid leaned down, so close I felt the heat of his breath against my cheek. “At least you didn’t lie and deny that part. That’s all you’re good for these days, it seems.”