Page 47 of Wicked Things

The doubt doesn’t vanish. It doesn’t disappear, but it does fade. I trust this woman more than I trust myself. If she has faith in me tobegood, todogood, then I know I will. I’ll make damn sure of it. The only other option would be to let her down, and I swore a long fucking time ago I would never do that.

Now, I take the little boy into my arms, and I make him the same silent promise.

I will love you.

I will cherish you.

I will protect you.

Always.

“Do you have a name?” a nurse asks.

Sloane laughs lightly, her fingertips stroking down the side of my face. I look up at her, managing to tear my gaze away from the tiny boy before me, and the love and pure joy in her eyes is breathtaking. “Yes, we do,” she tells the nurse, still laughing. “His name is Colt.”