Page 90 of Declan's Dove

Violet takes a couple of deep breaths. “I’m good.” She sounds calmer, but her body language says she may fulfill Liz’s threat if she doesn’t get to the boy soon. “Take me to Carter. I want to see my son.”

“Let’s go, Dove.” Gripping her shoulders, I steer her to the ‘bitch of a nurse’ Caleb warned about. She’s actually very nice to Violet and shows us to the room they put him in. When I pull back the curtain, Liz is sitting on the bed, Carter’s head is on her shoulder and she lightly drags her fingers through his hair, soothing him.

“Carter?” At his mother’s voice, Carter’s head pops up. He’s off the table and hugging Violet around the waist. Tears drip down her face as she strokes his head with her hand. “You okay, baby?” She quickly swipes at the tears, not wanting Carter to see her worry.

Carter lifts his head and smiles softly. “Look, Mama. I got a cast. The pretty nurse said I could pick the color.”

“Why black? Your favorite color is blue,” Violet asks, surprised.

“Batman wears black, and it will look cool with my Kings hoodie.” He looks up at me, grinning.

“Smart thinking, kid.” I wink and his smile widens.

“Do you think the guys will sign my cast, Mr. Declan?” His eyes shine with excitement, and both Caleb and I chuckle.

“Of course, kid. But I need you to stop calling me mister. It’s just Declan to you. Okay?”

“Yes, sir.” He looks between me and Violet, his face serious. “Declan?”

“Yeah kid.”

“Do you think the girls will sign my cast? Caleb said chicks dig scars … and casts.” Carter wiggles his eyebrows, and Violet lets out a small, amused gasp as she covers her smile with her hand.

“Shit,” Liz mutters and I laugh. “Only girls that you let touch you are mine—Jayde, Sadie, Skyler—but none of those skanky ass …”

“O-kayyy,” Violet draws out, stopping Liz’s rant. “Are you in pain, baby? Did they give you any medicine?”

“I’m good. Dr. Halloway gave me some liquid pain medicine when we first got here. I’m just waiting for the lady to bring me a sling and some papers for you. I have to go see an ortho—what’s it called Miss Liz?” Carter spins his head around to ask. I don’t miss the way Violet stiffens at the mention of the doctor.

“Orthopedic doctor, honey.”

“Yeah, that,” he says, pointing at Liz.

“I’m sure Dr. Halloway will have the name of one for us to see,” Violet tells him. I’m not sure if it’s Halloway or the thought of another specialist visit and the cost that has her tensing. If it’s money, she has no reason to worry. From now on, I’ll be taking care of those things for her. But if it’s Halloway, she has some explaining to do. Unfortunately, now is not the time or the place to have either discussion.

As if summoned by Violet speaking his name, the man himself appears with another man and a woman, both in suits attempting to look unsuspecting, and failing at it. The hair on the back of my neck stands up and I immediately stand in front of Violet and Carter, glaring at Halloway. Caleb steps in beside me.

I don’t like Halloway. Not because he’s a bad doctor, but I’ve seen him at the gym over the last few months chatting up my woman and eye-fucking her from across the room. I haven’t said anything because Violet hadn’t accepted that she was mine and I didn’t want to push her away by laying claim too soon or without her consent. Not that it would’ve detoured me from claiming her eventually, it just would’ve caused a fight I didn’t need to have. Violet’s always been mine, but now that she’s agreed to it, this fucker needs to get a clue.

“Who are these people and why are they in Carter’s room?” I don’t beat around the bush. Something isn’t sitting right in my gut and the shakiness to my Dove’s breathing tells me she’s feeling the same.

“Paul? What’s going on?” Violet asks from behind my shoulder with a quiver in her voice I don’t like.

“We found something with Carter’s x-rays. I’m sorry, Violet, but I had some concerns, and I called the hospital social worker, Mrs. Cortez. This is her associate, Mr. McBride. He’s with Child Protective Services. They’re here to talk to you, Carter, and Mr. O’Malley.” The way he says my name tells me everything I need to know.

This son of a bitch told them I’ve been hurting the kid.

My list of dead men walking has just grown by one.

“Hi, Miss Dupree. I’d like to ask you some questions about your son. Would you come with me, please?” The woman reaches her hand out for Violet, who shies back from the offered hand.

“Mama doesn’t talk to strangers,” Carter snaps, stepping up beside Caleb. “We don’t know you.”

“I assure you, Carter, I’m only here to help.”

“I call bullshit,” Carter says, and if the situation wasn’t so tense, I’d laugh.

“It’s okay, Carter. Stay here with Caleb and Miss Liz. Declan and I will only be a few minutes. They just want to talk to us in private, baby.” Violet’s worried eyes meet mine. I don’t like this. The slight tilt of her head and the soft smile she gives me tell me she knows it, too. She turns, telling Liz, “Take care of him until I come back.”.

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