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“Good girl.” Pride washed over him when she straightened her shoulders. “Where am I supposed to drop you off?”

“The main entrance.” She slipped the phone down her shirt and tucked it, he assumed, between her breasts. “I’m ready.”

“So am I.”

Together, they walked to the main entrance of the park. He tugged her hand, bringing her to a stop. Mindful they were being watched, the nagging tingle having never disappeared completely. He leaned in and pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead. “Goodbye, sweet Aislinn.”

“Goodbye, Christoph.” Her guard opened the door of the town car. Christoph didn’t move, waiting till the sedan drove away before he walked to his car. He needed to find and speak to Rapier, but first he needed to grab his son some lunch and explain where they were going next.

Scaffolding surroundedthe front of the house when Christoph pulled up. Beside him, Isaac munched away at his kid’s meal, like he hadn’t eaten in days, which concerned Christoph more than anything else. Nervous energy skirted through his stomach as they sat there. He’d have to tell Jackson and Bell the truth now. Whatever happened afterward, he was resolute in sending his son away. In order for him to complete his plan, he couldn’t be worried about the boy. He opened the truck door and stepped out. “Ready?”

Isaac popped the last fry into his mouth and grinned. “Yes. Thank you for the meal. It was very good.” His accented voice reminded Christoph of Keandra.

“You’re very welcome.” Christoph waited as Isaac scrambled out of the vehicle. They hadn’t talked much about the scar on his eye. If anything, he could figure it out on his own. Michel did it. The only piece of the puzzle missing was why? “These people are our friends. They’re family. Don’t be scared.”

“I’m not. You are here.” Isaac fit his hand into Christoph’s. “I am safe now.”

Gut punched; Christoph nodded. “Yes, you are.”

The ground off to the side of the house had been torn up, and new PVC piping lay waiting to be placed in the ground.Well, I’ll be damned.Excitement coursed through him. Finally, Bell would be left alone—if she got the rest of her pledges. Some of the dour feelings weighing him down lifted. At least, one good thing happened today. As he approached the house with Isaac in tow, he spotted one of the guys who worked away on the gutters while another filled and fixed the stucco facing.

“Excuse me,” he called out to the guy hanging the gutter. All they had to do was point him in the direction of Rapier. When the guy didn’t answer, he called out to him again. “Yo, I need a little bit of help.”

Raquel walked out of the house, carrying a tray of drinks, and stopped. The guy jumped down from the porch railing where he’d been standing and went straight for her, passing Christoph and Isaac like they weren’t standing there. Anger burned through Christoph. Already on edge from the bullshit of his parents, not to mention Aislinn’s and Isaac, he’d been ready to go toe-to-toe with the asshole. However, when he saw Raquel using sign language, he knocked down about a hundred degrees.Shit. Get a grip. You probably scared your kid too.He glanced down at Isaac, who watched the men working with keen interest, paying Christoph no mind.

“Hey, Christoph.” She waved at him, then held up a glass of tea. “You look like you could use this.” She tilted her head as she spotted Isaac. “Who’s this?”

“Thanks.” He took the proffered drink and downed half of it. “This is Isaac. You wouldn’t happen to know where I could find Rapier, do you?” His son gave her a little wave, then took the glass Christoph had drank from and finished the tea.

The guy narrowed his eyes and began signing in rapid-fire succession.What do you want with my Alpha? Why do you have a kid?

“Can you sign, Christoph?” Raquel glanced at him.

“No.” He shook his head.

“I’ll help.” She lifted her hands. “The boy’s name is Isaac.”

“I need a favor, and he’s the only one who can help me,” Christoph said, anxious as fuck to be standing out in the open with his son.

She placed her hand on the guy’s arm, then signed what he said. “It’s okay, Utah. He’s friendly and Bell’s mate.”

Realization filled Utah’s features before he cut his gaze back to Isaac.Out back. In the pool with my dad.

“Thanks.” He took the glass from his son and handed it back to Raquel. “Thank you too, Raquel. I owe you.”

Christoph crossed to the gate, keeping his stride measured so Isaac could keep up. Sure enough, when he stepped into the backyard, there Rapier stood in the pool, throwing chunks of concrete out of it.

“I need to speak with you, in private.” He winced at his tone. He didn’t use it often, but right now, his only concern had been for the green-eyed lioness who could be in deep shit and his son who’d already been damaged by his father.

“I’ll remind you only once not to use that tone with me. Next time, I’ll kick your ass.” Rapier’s lip curled, then his features softened when he spotted Isaac. “Whose kid is this?”

The man beside him laughed. “The kid is a little big for his britches, don’t you think?”

Rapier laughed. “Fucking kids. I swear, Henry did the same shit when he was fifteen. Last time he tried to challenge me.”

Christoph didn’t have time for this. He closed his eyes, trying to steady himself and ease away some of the anxious energy rolling through him. “I’m sorry. But this is really important. It has to do with what I told you about the other day.” He motioned to his son. “This is Isaac. It’s a long story, one I need to tell you and my mates.”

Rapier’s features grew serious. “You can talk while we work.” He glanced at the boy. “Wy?”