Page 31 of Wild Card

“Daddy said we’re surprising you.”

My body tenses, taking in the child in her arms. His cheeks are flushed and smile wide. He frames her face with his chubby hands. “Are you surprised?”

“The best kind of surprise.” She beams at him.

He looks over his shoulder, and it’s then I catch the crystal green eyes lit with excitement. My heart stops at the possibility.

Is this her…

“Nephew,” Lucas says quietly, answering my unspoken question.

“Chase, what are you doing here?” Willow stands while the little boy races to Bex next. She whips him into the air, kissing his cheeks.

A large guy steps through the doorway, his gaze locked on Bex. It’s then I see the resemblance. The little boy is a spitting image of him, and the similarities to Willow are undeniable.

He tears his eyes away to flash his sister a smile. “Bex told me to come here.”

Bex pulls her attention from the child to Chase. “Glad you decided to stop by.”

“Bex told you to stop by? When?” Willow’s voice has gone pitchy.

“When I called her to invite you both to lunch.”

“Why didn’t she mention that to me?”

“Probably because it would ruin the surprise,” Bex answers with a faint blush to her skin and glint in her eye.

I shoot her a knowing grin. The woman is good. She may have orchestrated a very early meet-the-family moment, but she ensured Willow wouldn’t have plans.

It’s hard to miss the once-over Chase gives me before he steps in closer, offering a hand. “Chase Richards.”

“Talon Simms.” I return the force of his grip.

To most, his blank face would give nothing away. But I’m skilled in reading people. The man knows who I am and my interest in his sister. He also knows she’s trying her best to brush me off.

“That’s my son, Wyatt.” He drops my hand and gestures to the boy, now watching us.

“I gathered.”

“You the cop?”

“You heard of me?”

“Bex mentioned something.” The dip in his tone when he mentions her name has me doing a double-take between them.

The woman is now helping Wyatt with his plate. He’s watching them closely, a softness in his gaze not aimed at his boy.

He jerks his chin back to me. “Willow turns down your invites so you intrude on her clinic?”

A quick glance at Willow, who hasn’t moved but is observing us intently. I’ve never been one to explain myself, but I’ll give him this one.

Before I can answer, he speaks again. “Don’t know you. Don’t have a reason not to like you. Let’s keep it that way. My sister is the most important woman in my life.”

Interesting that he didn’t mention the mother of his child.

Now, it’s time to move this meet-and-greet along so I can have some time with Willow.

“Message received.”

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