Page 34 of Big Bad Wolfe

Sometimes they didn’t heal at all.

And the consequences were just as deadly.

Refusing to inflict that painful legacy on another generation, he’d sworn never to marry or have children. Yet now, an innocent little boy faced the unthinkable.

He was all about action. His mission was saving lives … people he didn’t know and wasn’t invested in. But he could do nothing to prevent his biological child’s destruction? His hands fisted. “Mia, youkillin the courtroom. You win ninety-nine-point-nine percent of the time.”

“You know I’ll give it my heart and soul.” She sadly shook her head. “But you need to be prepared for a nasty, protracted battle … with Casey caught squarely in the middle … and be prepared to perhaps eventually lose.”

Jillian made a choking sound and tears began to silently spill down her cheeks.

Zane’s frayed composure slipped another notch. He snatched two tissues from the box on the desk and handed them to her. Her distress escalated his helplessness. Which fed his anger. “Goddammit, there must besomething!Some kind of loophole.”

“Well ... there is one alternative.” Mia hesitated. “But knowing you as I do, Zane, you won’t like it.”

“We’re out of options. Let me have it.”

Mia’s implacable whiskey gaze flicked to Jillian for a heartbeat, then moved to hold his captive. “You could marry her.”

Chapter 6

Zane thrust a shaky hand through his hair. Jillian Ramsay was intelligent, fun, sexy, an incredible cook, and a great mom. She’d make some lucky man a terrific wife.

Leaping from his chair, he stalked to the window and put his back to the room.

Just not me.“Not happening.”

“Wouldn’t—” Jillian’s voice wobbled. “Wouldn’t the judge see through that as a ploy anyway?”

“Forget it,” he growled. “There is no way—”

“You asked me to help you, Zane,” Mia warned. “At least hear me out.”

He spun, strode back and dropped into the chair. “All right, talk.”

“You can declare that the child brought you together, which is the absolute truth. You’d have to pass the required personal and home evaluations, but I can coach you for that. The court would see two people who care enough about Casey to put his welfare first. He’d have the best of both worlds, his biological father, and his guardian—whom he knows and loves—as his mother. Plus, with your combined incomes and Zane’s health insurance covering Casey, the financial issues become moot. And the judge will view Zane’s decision to settle down and assume complete responsibility for his son very favorably.”

Mia focused on Jillian. “Do you have a steady boyfriend or fiancé? Or do you anticipate any prospects in the near future?”

Zane tensed, aimed his attention at Jillian.

Steadier now, she dabbed her eyes. “There’s nobody.” A flush pinkened her cheeks. “I don’t really even date much anymore.”

Why?She was intelligent, spirited, beautiful, and interesting company. Were the men in Cape Hope blind and stupid?

Mia raised her palms. “There you go. Zane, you’ve made your position never to marry perfectly clear, so I assume not being free to marry anyone else isn’t a problem for you. If and when Jillian decides to pursue another relationship, we can discuss your options at that time. You don’t have to stay married forever. A year is good, two would be better.”

“Just dandy,” he snapped. “Especially for the kid. I’m supposed to hang around for a year or two, then split? How is that better for him? I’ll end up messing with his head as badly as my old—” He caught himself. “I’ll end up doing exactly what I’m trying to avoid.”

“I understand you don’t want any part of parenthood. However, now that you’ve met Casey, can you really spend a year or two with him, then walk out of your son’s life permanently? Never see him again?”

“Doesn’t matter how I feel. Staying away from Casey is the best thing for the kid.”

“That’s utter crap,” Jillian said.

Zane couldn’t look at her. Shedidn’tknow the facts … and he couldn’t bear to see the disappointment on her lovely face.

“Zane.” Mia’s tone softened. “You’re consistently gone for long stretches of time. This assignment was five months. And how long was the one before that?”

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