Page 75 of Extraction

“It’s okay, buddy.” I kept my voice low.

“Don’t be scared. That’s Paul. I know he’s big and scary looking, but he’s a big teddy bear.” His eyes got wider, and I wondered how many men hurt him in the time he’d been taken. “He’s nice,” Nicole said calmly. “He’s a good man.”

Her words pricked at my core. I rather liked that comment. I couldn’t remember the last time someone called me a good man.

“See,” she wrapped her arms around me, and I didn’t even think about it and hugged her back, “friend.” Now, that comment I didn’t like. His hand came up and reached for her, so I let go, and she went back to his sponge bath. “Now, what’s the plan?” she asked over her shoulder as she eased his diaper off with an unhappy sigh. “When were you changed last, sweetie?” She went to work.

“For now, we take this boat to a spot along the shore where a car is waiting for us. They’ll take us to a safehouse. Once we’re there, the chopper will come for us.”

“Good. Wait. Who’s driving this boat?”

“I am.”

“Oh, okay.” She started to tuck his feet into what looked like footed blue PJs and ran the zipper carefully up his front. “There, you’re all set in your jammies. Look how handsome you are, Eric.”

A cold feeling rushed over me. “Don’t call him that,” I snapped.

“Why? That’s his name.”

“Just don’t.” I wasn’t about to get into a conversation over it.

She didn’t push it. “Then what do we call you?” She spoke to him as I searched my brain for a better name. “What about Chase?” She chuckled. “Seems to suit, don’t you think?” She looked up at me, and I had to admit it was good. She took his hands and helped him stand, but he dropped back down on his butt. He gave a little whimper and wrapped his arms around her neck. He seemed to just want to be held.

“Chase,” I repeated and gave a curt nod, and she stepped toward me with him, and my stomach knotted.

“See, we like Paul.” She took his tiny hand and placed it on my cheek. My insides melted, my heart squeezed to the point of pain, and my breathing stopped. My son. He held it there for a moment but then buried his face in her chest again and gave a whimper.

“I don’t think he likes me.” I wished I was better at this.

“He’s tired and most likely hungry. Give him time to warm up. Women tend to be more who they want at this age.”

I handed her the carrot mush. “You feed him. We need to get moving.”

“Copy that.” She sat down and began to feed him, as I continued with my internal struggle.

I decided to have it out with her and squatted in front of them, “Hey, I need you to promise me something.”

Chase wiggled in her arms, not overly interested in the food. “Okay.”

“I appreciate what you did on the boat, but you can’t do that again. You hear me?”

Her sharp green eyes moved to mine, and I saw her jaw lock. “I will if someone tries to hurt a child again.”

“Nicole,” I growled from somewhere deep inside my chest and leaned forward with a hand on her leg to drive my point home, “I mean it.”

She leaned forward to mimic me and stopped an inch from my face with her eyes fixed on mine. “So do I.”

Her warm breath brushed over my face, and I fought not to kiss her, but it wasn’t the time. I hated and loved that she fought me on things. The tangled emotions she brought out in me were confusing. I blamed it on the situation. My world had just been shaken like a snow globe, and I still waited for all the flakes to settle. I wondered if I’d ever see things clearly again.

“We’ll discuss this again later.” I squeezed her thigh and stood.

She kept her gaze on me. “And I know how it’ll end.”

I clamped down on my tongue and started the engine. I scoped the area and hoped like hell there was no one around.

We made it to shore without any problems, and as I tied up the boat, I was happy to see car lights flash as we stepped off the dock. Our ride had arrived. I grabbed the bags, and Nicole followed closely with little Chase.

“Hola,” the driver greeted us, and I helped Nicole in the back seat then climbed in after her.

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