Accidental Father by Nancy Robards Thompson Page A

An “and…” waiting in the wings.
    â€œAnd…I know I haven’t spoken much about my job with iWITNESS, but it’s a bit dangerous. Not in the same nature that Marissa’s job was dangerous. Still, what I do can have serious consequences for some people. People who have no qualms about killing others who get in their way.”
    What?
    His words hit like a white-hot electric jolt.
    He picked this moment to lift his lashes and look her in the eyes. The torment she saw in his face caused panic the likes of which she’d never known to hatch in her belly and start clawing its way out.
    â€œJulianne, what I’m getting at is…Liam is aprime target for retribution. And you are, too, if he lives with you—”
    â€œDon’t be ridiculous,” she said. “Who would hurt a baby?”
    â€œSadly, many of the people my organization opposes. Liam needs to be somewhere safe—”
    â€œAre you suggesting I leave Liam with you? I won’t give him up. He’s all the family I have left. I may not be his biological mother, I’ve been his only mother for the past three months, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let a man who hasn’t even known him forty-eight hours take him away from me.”
    Alex opened his mouth the speak, but she didn’t want to hear what he had to say.
    â€œDo you really expect me to believe that safety is an issue? If so, how can you, as a single father protect him—no, not just protect him, how can you raise him, give him the kind of life he deserves while you keep a job that gains you enemies around the world?”
    Her foot kicked the edge of the flute case, and she was struck with the urge to give it back to Alex. She’d given him too much credit. The only reason he’d purchased that flute was because he thought it would butter her up.
    A flute in exchange for her baby?
    Was he crazy? Using some cockamamy story about national security to frighten her into leaving Liam.
    â€œLook, I’m sorry you don’t believe me. I know this sounds unreal, but it is very real and you have to understand that. Remember the men you saw in the park? The ones you thought were following us down Boulevard St. Michel? They were indeed following us. I hired them to do just that. So, what I’m trying to help you understand is because of both iWITNESS and St. Michel’s Secret Service, I have access to state-of-the-art security measures. But only if Liam stays here—or more precisely, in St. Michel.”
    â€œNo!”
    Several people turned and looked at them.
    Alex leaned in. “You’re welcome to come with him.” He spoke in hushed tones, his voice barely above a whisper.
    Because she didn’t want others eavesdropping on their conversation, she lowered her tone, too. “We can’t stay, Alex. We can’t just unpack our suitcases and take an extended vacation. Liam and I have a life in Washington. That’s our home. I have a job. That’s where we belong.”
    He nodded. “Yes, that is where your life is. Iassumed as much. But I had to make the offer for my son’s sake. I know he is attached to you.”
    Dear God, what have I done by involving Alex in Liam’s life? She’d only meant to introduce an uninterested man to his lovable little boy—to make life better for Liam. To ensure he’d always have enough to cover health care and schooling, college even. She never dreamed the Alex that her sister had described would suggest Liam stay with him permanently. That he’d try to take Liam away from her.
    She especially hadn’t meant to put her baby in harm’s way—if the unbelievable scare tactics Alex was using were even true.
    â€œWe don’t have to come to any conclusions right this minute,” Alex said. “However, this is something we need to iron out before you leave Paris tomorrow.”
    â€œSorry, but I won’t be