Page 58 of Ransom for His Secret Son

Both of them.

She glanced at Brody, standing beside her, his gaze fixed on his sons. Relief radiated off him, though his posture remained stiff, as if he was afraid to believe they were finally safe.

Dr. Patel was at the crib, carrying out an exam on baby number two. The doctor had already done a DNA test and was now making sure he was okay. Remi was thankful she’d been willing to make a house call and so quickly. No way had they wanted to risk taking the baby to the hospital.

Not with Tarrant and the person responsible for this nightmare still at large.

The doctor had readily agreed and had been able to meet them at the ranch once SAPD had cleared them to leave the cottage. Later, there would be a mountain of reports to write. Statements to make. But for now, the focus was on Brody’s newly found son.

During the time that Brody and Remi had been away from the ranch, Sandra had made a few changes to the nursery, including the crib that had been fully assembled. Someone, Holt probably, had moved in a comfortable recliner and a rocking chair. There was also a rollaway bed against the wall, and it’d already been made up for the night. Obviously, Sandra had planned on sleeping in here if Remi and Brody hadn’t gotten back before bedtime. Now that they had, Remi figured Brody would be staying.

And she hoped he didn’t object if she did, too.

They weren’t her precious babies, but she loved them anyway. No doubts about that. Those feelings weren’t solely because they were Brody’s either. Though, that played into it. She cared deeply for Brody and Miranda and their sons, and Remi wanted to see this through to the end.

After that, well, she didn’t want to think about that yet, but she could already feel it crushing her heart to walk away from Brody. That kiss, those hugs. Those life-and-death moments together. All of that had broken down the barriers from the past. Brody might very well want those barriers back up, but for now Remi was going to savor these moments she had with him and the boys.

Remi’s attention shifted back to Dr. Patel, who was finishing her examination, adjusting the stethoscope around her neck. “He’s healthy,” the doctor confirmed, glancing at both boys. “Well taken care of. No signs of malnourishment or neglect. Like this other little guy,” she added as she touched Joe’s toes, “he’s been well cared for.”

Remi heard Brody let out a breath, one hand braced on the edge of the crib. His knuckles were tight, his gaze locked on his sons as if he still couldn’t believe they were both here.

Sandra stood near the dresser, her arms folded tightly over her chest. “Thank God,” she whispered.

Dr. Patel muttered an agreement and began to gather her things. “Who’s been taking care of him?”

Brody finally tore his eyes away from the baby. “A nanny named Maria Alvarez. She had both babies for six days, and then someone, a man, came and took one.” A muscle tightened in his jaw. “Maria says he claimed to be from the adoption agency, and he showed her papers that looked real.”

Sandra frowned. “And she doesn’t know who hired her, who arranged for the babies’ births?”

Brody had already given his mom a brief explanation, but obviously Sandra was having a hard time wrapping her head around it. Remi was, too.

“Maria says she doesn’t know,” Brody said. “And I believe her.”

Remi agreed. Nothing that the woman had said or done made Remi believe she had known she was caring for what were essentially black-market babies.

Dr. Patel finished packing up her bag and gave them a final glance. “Call me if you have any questions. And keep feeding them the preemie formula I brought. It’ll help ensure they continue gaining weight.”

Brody nodded. “We appreciate it.”

She gave a small smile before heading out. Sandra went with her, the door clicking shut behind them.

Remi barely had a second to catch her breath before her phone rang. She pulled it out, seeing the name she’d expected on the screen. This call was overdue, and it was a conversation she had to have.

Brody caught her glance and arched a brow. “Violet?”

She nodded and answered the call, putting it on Speaker.

“I’m still not happy you two didn’t wait for backup,” Violet said, instead of a greeting. “But I get it,” she reluctantly added.

Good. Because there’d been no other option. Not for Brody. Not for Remi.

A beat of silence followed, then Violet sighed. “How are the babies?”

Remi turned her head, her eyes settling on Brody. He was standing over the crib, his gaze locked on his sons.

A smile tugged at her lips. “They’re all right,” she said, meaning it.

But the moment the words left her mouth, something heavy settled in her chest. Because all right might not last. Not when someone was still out there. Someone who had set all of this in motion.