Page 139 of Finding Denver

Jennifer whispers, “I don’t care who your husband is. I don’t care who you think you are. I’m going home.”

“If you go without my help, my husband will take him again,” Denver says. “I’m sorry you’ve been dragged into this, but my priority is keeping my … is keeping Daniel safe.”

The two women stare at each other, both wanting the same thing, both likely despising the other.

Denver continues, “Until I can figure out how to stop Ranger from doing anything, you’ll always have someone close by.” She dips her hand into her pocket and takes out a piece of paper. Her number is scribbled on it. “If you see anything suspicious, no matter what it is, a car parked outside for too long, strange calls, even if a delivery shows up and you didn’t order it, you call. I’ll get my men to verify anything.” Jennifer looks at the paper like it’s infectious but takes it.

“So, what now? You hire some fancy lawyer to take him? Because I’ll fight you.”

“No,” Denver says softly, shaking her head. “I’m not going to take him from the only life he’s known. You … you don’t even have to tell him I exist.”

“I know what I can and can’t do for my own son,” Jennifer snaps.

Denver withdraws slightly. “I know. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—” She clears her throat. “I just mean it would probably be safer if he didn’t know who he’s related to.”

Jennifer lets out a breath and leans against the bed. She closes her eyes, tears tickling her lashes, and Denver reaches for my hand. She squeezes it tightly, her body close to trembling, and I want nothing more than to take this all away for her. To make it better.

“I should head home,” Denver says. “Leave you to rest. If you want, I can put you up in a hotel?—”

“No,” Jennifer says quickly, but with far less bite. “I want to stay here with him.”

Denver smiles weakly, her attention on Theo as he sleeps against Jennifer’s chest.

“He sleeps a lot,” Denver says.

Jennifer nods, eyeing Denver with caution. “He always has.”

“He was okay? As a baby?”

“Yeah. I mean, he’s my first, my only, so … I have no one to compare him to,” Jennifer says, her tone softening a touch. “But he was good. He … he smiles a lot. Always laughing.”

Denver’s eyes shine. “That’s nice. I’m glad he’s happy.” She rubs her hands together and sniffs. “You have my number if you need me.” She squeezes my hand as she passes, disappearing through the curtain.

Jennifer watches her go, and I wonder what she thinks of this mess. Her son taken. In hospital. This day has been a lot for everyone, but we’re used to the hell that comes with being in this world. Jennifer isn’t.

“She’s a good person,” I say, and Jennifer eyes me quietly. “All she ever wanted was Theo.” I smile at the baby in her arms. “You know where we are if you need us.”

Hours later,we’re showered, dressed, and back in bed. There are double the men around the house, and I’m waiting for confirmation about Ranger’s plane. My phone is on the nightstand, but it hasn’t rung yet.

“Is this what exhaustion feels like?” Denver whispers. She’s in another one of my jerseys, cuddled into my side, her leg over my stomach.

“Apparently.”

My eyes are already closed, and I smile when she nuzzles my cheek. “Colt?”

“Mm?”

“Can we talk about forever?”

I smile brightly, opening my eyes to look down at her. “After the night we’ve had? Yes. Yes, we fucking can.”

So, that’s what we do. We talk about finding her a home of her own close by. We talk about the casino, her work with Samuel, and what she wants to do about her businesses in San Francisco. I tell her I want to work and get shot less, and she laughs. I tell her that I want to spend more time with Holly, too.

We both agree we’ll leave this life in the next three years.

“Out. For good,” Denver says, tracing the robin on my collar. “Not even a little bit of crime.”

“Sounds good to me. A legitimate coffee shop. Baking and flour deliveries.”