Page 56 of The Prodigal Prince

“Here’s food.” Lefty set the tray down and walked out before Mac could say anything to him.

Mac could feel Gray peek out from behind him. “What kind of food did he bring?”

“It looks like sandwiches and potato chips.”

Gray sat on the ground on top of Fiona’s sweater. Mac sat next to him and put the tray in front of them both.

“Looks like there’s a couple of different kinds. Which one do you want?” It didn’t matter to Mac.

“Doesn’t matter.” Gray picked one up. “It won’t be as good as the toasted cheese at the castle.”

“Probably not.” He ripped one of the jelly sandwiches in half. “Not many things are.”

They ate the sandwiches in silence.

When they finished, they both stretched their legs out. Mac didn’t think Gray even realized they did so the exact same way.

“Mama said you’re my daddy, but you stayed away to keep me safe.” He didn’t look at Mac as he spoke.

“That’s right. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep you and your mama safe yesterday. I swore I’d do my best to keep both of you safe, and that’s never going to change.” Should he tell Gray about the theme park? He decided to wait for another time.

Gray leaned his head against Mac’s shoulder. “You couldn’t come see me sometimes?” The little boy’s voice sounded small and scared.

Mac wrapped his arm around Gray’s shoulders. “I wanted to. In fact, I live not very far from you and your mama so I can watch out for you. But it wasn’t safe for anyone to know I’m your papa.”

Gray didn’t say anything for a long moment. “You watch me?”

Mac winced at the way it sounded. “I did, to make sure the other bad guys didn’t know where to find you. I never saw any of them watching you.”

“That’s good, right?”

“It is.”

Another silence filled the room as Gray thought some more. “Are these the same bad guys?”

Mac tightened his hold on his son, just a little bit. “I don’t know. I don’t know who these guys are.”

A scraping sound in the lock caused Mac to leap to his feet. “Stay behind me,” he told Gray with a growl.

“I will, Daddy.” The absolute trust in Gray’s voice sobered Mac. He needed to live up to that trust.

Lefty appeared in the doorway. “Both of you, come with me.”

“Why?” He wasn’t just going to do anything just because Lefty told him to.

“I said to. We’re moving.” Lefty tried to move around Mac to get to Gray, but Mac wasn’t going to let that happen.

After a few seconds of dancing around, Lefty managed to shove Mac into the wall and grab Gray by the arm. “Let’s go.”

Mac hurried after them, staying as close as he could. “Let him go. We’ll go with you, but let him go.”

Lefty shook his head as they crossed a large empty area. “No. I can’t trust you. He stays with me.”

As they reached the other side of the open area, Lefty shoved Mac and carried Gray back to the room they’d just vacated. Lefty shoved Gray into the room, but the door closed before Mac could follow him.

Mac started to go after Lefty, to get to the door.

“Stop right there.” Mr Villain’s voice sounded behind Mac. “If you cooperate, Gray won’t be harmed. If you fight at all, I make no promises.”

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