Page 19 of Deceived Wrath

I make a mental note to call Ray and remind him that I don't want my son to turn into a sugar-obsessed hustler.

"Yep! When are you coming to see me?"

"Soon, buddy."

"But I miss you."

It's amazing how those three words have the ability to reach into my chest and rip out my heart.

"I miss you too. So much. But I have some more work to do before I can come and see you."

"Is it important?"

"It's very important. I wouldn't leave you if it wasn't. Look, I have to go, but be good for Ray, okay? I love you very much."

"I love you too, Daddy."

The line goes dead, and I exhale, leaning back in my seat.

Saying goodbye to Scout never gets easier. If anything, the older he gets, the harder it's been because he will remember every time I had to say goodbye.

Pocketing my phone, I climb out of the car and head inside the café. I find Brennan sitting at a small table in the corner, chatting with one of the waitresses.

As I approach, she glances at me and offers me a wide smile, but at the look on my face, she quickly scurries away.

"You fill Kieran in?"

I frown.

"That's who you were calling, right?"

"Yeah," I grunt, taking the seat across from him.

"And?"

"And what?"

"What does he think of our plan?"

"He agrees," I lie, picking up my menu.

I'm not in the least bit hungry, but I need something to do with my hands.

"It seems all of those years in LA haven't turned you into a morning person."

I say nothing as I pretend to read the dozens of breakfast options.

There's an entire page just dedicated to different types of pancakes, which makes me think of Scout.

I should be the one making him breakfast and fighting with him over how many chocolate chips to add to the batter. Instead, I'm on the other side of the country, chasing endless dead ends just to try and keep him safe.

"Something wrong?"

"Huh?" I glance up to find Brennan frowning at me.

"You seem distracted."

"Do I?"