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“Yes, but only when you’re a grown-up.”

“So you’re like a superhero?” he asked in a hushed tone while Katy watched us with a grin.

“Yes, buddy.”

“Lawndon, is Mr. Matty a superhero too? Because Mr. Matty is big and tall.”

“No, buddy. Only Landons and Lukas get to be superheroes.”

“Okay.” He nodded. “Can you teach me? I really, really want to be a superhero when I grow older.”

“Of course, buddy.” I held my fist out to him, and his tiny one met mine with a fierce force.

We borrowed Luka till lunch break to spend some time with him and took him to the local park, arms full of chocolate milkshake and fries.

We also made sure to get shakes and fries delivered to all the kids as a treat. It was the least we could do.

We spent the next hour having the most serious non-serious conversation with Luka while I explained about superheroes and evil people which seemed to intrigue him for some reason.

“Lawndon, do you think…” Luka asked, picking on a blade of grass. “When I grow older, I can save people from other evil people? Because I screawmed for help, but there was no superhero to save me. But maybe… maybe I could save someone else, and they wouldn’t be hurt like me.”

My heart tugged, and I met Katy’s eyes, which welled with unshed tears.

“Of course buddy.” My voice laced with emotion as I dragged a finger across his soft cheek. “But no one ever is going to hurt you after this, okay? I’m not going to let them,” I promised.

“Really?” He blinked.

“Yes, baby,” Katy answered before I could as she hugged him tightly. “No one is ever going to hurt you.”

“Okay,” he mumbled, a faint smile whispering on his lips.

“Do you like spending time with Lan and me?” Katy asked him with a shaky smile.

“Yes, I do.” He nodded. “It’s the most fun I have.”

“How about?” Katy swallowed, her eyes bouncing between us. “How would you like to come live with Lan and me in the city? We could play, have chocolate milkshakes, and do anything you like. Of course, school is still important, but you’ll be going to a different school and making new friends. Would that be something you like?”

His brows furrowed. “With you and Mr. Lawndon? I don’t have to live with Lucia and Peter, and my friends anymore?”

“Yes, you can come live with us, like a family, and we’ll take care of you and keep you safe,” I told him. “And of course, do all the fun things, and you’ll even have your own room, and we can see Matty and Sierra every day. We would still come here to visit your friends and Lucia and Peter.”

He thought for a long second before he nodded. “Okay.” He smiled. “I think I like that. I’ve never had my own room before.”

“Good,” I replied, ruffling his hair. Katy hugged him tighter, mumbling she loved him already.

Luka’s eyes still had the same bright look when we dropped him back at St. Mary’s, where Lucia informed us that Luka’s social worker would be in touch with us soon.

“That went well, right?” Katy asked, her eyes glinting with motherly love as we watched Luka disappear back into the building. “I love him already, Lan. Isn’t he the sweetest?”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “He’s a good kid.”

“Do you umm…” Her hesitant eyes flew to me. “Do you like him? I don’t want you to do this just for me. I know how big of a responsibility it is to bring a kid home, and if that’s something you don’t want to do, I can figure something…”

I gave her a sharp look that stopped her mid-sentence. “Luka isours, Katy. We do this together or not at all.”

She nodded, her eyes softening.

CHAPTER 20