Page 138 of Finding Denver

He has Denver’s gray eyes, but his hair is dark, almost black. Wyatt’s hair was brown, and … I look at Finn, and his returning expression says he sees it, too.

Theo is Ranger’s son.

It’s unmistakable.

Denver lets out a relieved breath when she sees me and stands, wrapping her arms around my waist. “How are you feeling? What did the doctor say?”

“His medical advice was not to get shot again.” I kiss her hair. “I’m okay.”

She smiles weakly at me before returning to Theo’s side. “Isn’t he so beautiful? I think he looks like Dad. Do you think he looks like Dad?” she asks Finn. He nods, smiling warmly, and she gazes at her son, her smile bright. “We can explain everything now. I can tell her the truth about how I lost him. Maybe she’ll let me see him. Do you think she will?”

I take a seat on the bed, and Theo blinks up at me. “Denver?—”

“She might understand,” she says quickly, looking between Finn and me. “If I talk to her, she might … she might get it.” She runs her hand over Theo’s hair, and he picks up another blueberry. “She’ll understand. I’ll just tell her the truth.”

Finn goes to get an update from Ronan, and after Theo finishes his blueberries and falls asleep, Denver curls up on the bed beside him. She plays with his hair, never looking away from him.

“Do you think he knows me?” she asks quietly.

I lean my hand into the bed to watch them both. “Maybe. He heard your voice for a long time, and he seems pretty calm.”

Her longing expression is torture to see. “He’s Ranger’s son,” she whispers. “And Ranger knows that.”

I take her hand and kiss her knuckles. “Then we’ll protect him and his family. Ranger won’t get near him.”

She nods but seems unconvinced. It won’t be easy. Even if Ranger was hurt tonight, he’ll be back. He might come at us with everything if he has Denver and his son to fight for.

We’re each lost in our own thoughts, and when Theo’s mom arrives, we hear her before we see her.

“—my son, where is he?”

Denver gets off the bed, and Theo remains asleep as the curtains are thrown back. Jennifer Matthews stares at us, her eyes wild, and I see the moment she recognizes us.

And she slaps Denver across the face.

The sound climbs across my skull, and Denver takes a step back, her hand on her cheek as she registers the hit. Jennifer goes for her again. I pull Denver behind me and catch Jennifer’s hand.

“I understand you’re upset, but if you hit her again, I’ll have you removed from this hospital,” I say quietly, the staff and other patients watching with wide eyes. Jennifer glares at me tearfully and I release her. She immediatelygoes to Theo, and I turn to Denver, cupping her neck. “Are you okay?” She nods silently, her cheek already flushed red.

Jennifer picks up Theo as he starts to cry. “It’s okay baby, it’s okay. Mommy’s here. We’re going now.”

“He has to stay overnight,” Denver says quietly.

“Why?” Jennifer demands, holding Theo to her chest. “What did you do to him? What did that man do to him?”

Denver straightens her shoulders. “There was a fire. He’s fine, his lungs are fine, but the doctors want to keep him just in case.”

“Fire.” Jennifer’s eyes fill with fresh tears. “Why would you do this? Why would you take him?”

I draw the curtains closed, and Denver steels herself, a cold kind of calm washing over her expression. “I didn’t take him. I didn’t even know he’d been adopted.”

“Liar! I have the paperwork. I?—”

“The man who took Theo is my husband,” Denver says, and she sounds detached, almost like she’s talking about someone else. “When Theo was born?—”

“Daniel,” Jennifer bites out. “His name is Daniel.”

Denver swallows hard, and I war against the urge to hold her. “WhenDanielwas born, I was told he’d died. I only found out a few weeks ago that I was lied to.” Jennifer frowns, holding onto Daniel tightly, but says nothing. “My husband is a dangerous man, Jennifer. He’s powerful. He’s angry. And I know you want to walk away, but you need protection. I’ll arrange for it, but you can’t fight me on it.”