Page 165 of Illicit Heir

I keep my comments to myself, trying to process this information but not wanting to challenge Tully based on his tone.

Is it possible that Maeve did keep my son safe?

Devin sits down. "Lauren, I told you Maeve is on your side. I know she told Caleb where ya were, but she really was in a bad spot."

"So that's an excuse for her endangering our child?"

"No, I'm not saying that," Devin firmly states.

I cross my arms, glaring at him. "But you're telling me I should just forget about it and let it go?"

He sighs and scrubs his face.

Tully sits down next to me on the other side. He says, "Lauren."

I turn toward him, my heart beating faster. I wait for him to speak.

He asserts, "Sometimes, we must put ourselves in the other person's shoes."

I start to laugh.

"What's so funny?" he asks.

I argue, "Since when do clansmen put themselves in other people's shoes?"

He arches his eyebrows.

"Well?"

He offers, "I do."

"So do I," Devin echoes.

"Do ya?" I challenge.

He shrugs. "Sometimes."

I stare at my lap and fidget with my fingers.

Tully reiterates, "Maeve risked her life to try to make a right for the wrong that she did. So, try to go easy on her. Okay?"

I grip my fingers tighter.

Devin puts his hand over mine. "Lauren, let's look at the positive. Within a few minutes, our son will be with us."

I look at him, blinking hard. Then, with an emotion-filled voice, I ask, "Is he really coming? Please don't tell me he is and not have him show up." Tears drip down my cheek.

Devin swipes at them, affirming, "Angel, I promise ya, in a few minutes, he will be in your arms."

Those few minutes take forever. I rise and pace the room as time seems to stand still. When a car pulls up, I leave the den and go to the foyer. I bolt out the front door, run down the steps, and the moment the car parks, I fling open the back door.

Maeve and the baby are in the back seat. My son is in her arms.

I cry out in relief and joy. I reach in, and she hands the baby to me. I grab my son, pull him into my chest, and sob.

"I'm sorry, Lauren. I really am. I tried to get here as fast as possible, but they were chasing me. It was hard. The baby was crying, and I didn't know who to trust. I had to hide," Maeve rambles out.

"Ya did well, Maeve," Tully says.

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