Rafe Soliz's knuckles rapped against the metal door of a condo complex that overlooked the Intracoastal and the 79th Street Causeway, not far from his own home, but much more residential.
For hours he’d searched his friend Jose Perez's case file for the address of the sister, resorting to a paper trail because for some reason the information wasn't logged into the computer. He had called his partner multiple times, but Jose hadn’t answered. The murder case revealed the names of the victims and the family, though the boy's name wasn't listed. Strange, as Jose was a good officer.
This had to be the right place. Rafe needed to see Brandon. His knuckle beat against the door. Something about the boy had called to him a week ago. Did his son look like him? Did he have his thick brown hair or more of his mother's blonde highlights? His heart echoed the need to hold him. No one answered at first. He knocked again. This time the door swung open and he met the overwrought gaze of rumpled and slightly wet Sienna Stewart as a young voice screamed in the distance. She pushed her unbrushed hair off her forehead. "Officer, what brings you by?"
The sound of the boy's cry pierced him. He had to help stop his tears. Somehow. Rafe was Brandon’s father and it was up to him to protect him. He swallowed all those thoughts and stared at the woman who could cause problems if she demanded custody. He ensured his voice was clear and crisp. "The boy found with your sister was not hers."
With a nod, she crossed her arms. "I guessed." At least she was agreeable. She then dropped her arms and opened the door wider like this was old news. "My sister and I weren't remotely close, but she'd have needed money from me to take care of a baby as she never worked a day in her life and always dated the worst jerks or criminals.”
Brandon’s cries overshadowed everything else. His fingers ached to hold him. "I found his family. The mother is despondent."
"Ohh." Sierra invited him in. Rafe stepped forward three feet and then stared into the living room. His son was in a playpen with tears in his eyes, but dressed in a clean, blue shorts outfit that showed Sienna had taken good care of him.
She walked beside him and said, "I took the boy because he needed a home and didn't have anyone else. Look, I am not my sister and was not part of anything she did."
"I understand, Ms. Stewart." He patted her hand for a moment and then went closer to Brandon. His nose was Elizabeth's though the lungs on the boy were loud and clear. "I'm here to take him to his mother."
"Okay," she said. Rafe offered his hand and Brandon sniffed his fingers. "Brandon is super fussy tonight."
Once the boy’s red face dried, Brandon stared at him with wide brown eyes as he stuck his thumb in his mouth. Rafe lifted him up and held him close to his chest. He smelled like baby powder and his skin was soft. The boy curled into his shoulder and wrapped his arms tight around his neck.
"Wow. He never calms down like that for me."
Brandon in his arms gave Rafe a sense of purpose and family that no one else ever had. He ruffled the boy's hair as he told Sienna, "He's a good boy."
“I hope I’m not in trouble for not sharing my suspicions at the police station. The detective kept insisting the boy would be put into foster care where he couldn’t vouch for him if I didn’t take him home, but I never wanted to be involved with my sister’s mess.”
“You clearly did a good job with Brandon. Thank you.”
"Oh. Okay. Here, let me get you his diaper bag and his things."
Sienna had no criminal record and multiple degrees from various universities, unlike her sister. She ran into her bedroom as he called out, "Thanks Sienna."
She returned with a suitcase and a carry-on bag that she shoved at him. "Here you go. Please tell his mom that I'm sorry for whatever my sister did to her."
Brandon clutched his neck like an anchor. Rafe took the bag from Sienna and wheeled the other behind him as they marched out of the condo complex. With every step, Rafe felt this bundle in his arms and something grew in his chest. He had a son. He was a father.
His phone rang and Rafe read the screen but ignored the police captain for a few minutes.
He unlocked his Escalade and checked the car seat he’d taken from the station. As he uncurled the boy from his shoulder, he stared at a jaw line with a small cleft, similar to his own. Rafe belted the boy safely in the seat and promised, "I'll get you to your mom. First we have to process you at the station. I should call her and tell her to meet me there as I think my boss wants me to do something."
Brandon opened his eyes wider and studied him, too. Rafe's entire body hummed. He'd have to figure out how to be a dad fast, because there was no way he would ever turn his back on his child.
A text message appeared on his screen. 712 NE 25th St. Drug bust. Report.
His pulse quickened. He was on the schedule from 5 PM to 2 AM. He couldn't call in sick as he was technically working already. He'd have to go. He picked up his phone to call Liz, but he hadn’t programmed her into his phone yet. .
The drive to the station was uneventful. Brandon slept in the car seat, so he unlatched the whole device and carried him inside. He walked in the back of the station, past a few officers who worked desks, but nobody said anything to him as he made his way to his office.
Rafe used his office phone to dial Liz after finding her number on his desk. He hoped Liz would come pick Brandon up so he could return to work.
No one answered the phone which seemed odd. Rafe stared at the little boy in his office one more time. Brandon Morgan was his. Brandon was the same blood type, and he didn’t need the DNA to see that he had the same eyes, same chin as he did. Even last week he’d been pulled to hold him in his arms, and hadn’t known why.
Another text showed on his phone. Officer. Call in or report.
Calling in meant he'd get yelled at for not showing up at the scene. He fired off a text. I am on a call, but I’ll be there soon.
Another text came in fast. Hurry.
Rafe had suspected the kid might have been kidnapped, being found alive in a car with two dead bodies, but it wasn’t his case. So when Perez called the sister of the “victim” to watch Brandon, saying she was next of kin, he’d gone along with it. Last week he had shaken off his hunch and thought he was being ridiculous.
At least he knew Brandon had been cared for by the “aunt” for the week.
As he stared into the brown eyes of his now awake boy, he almost choked.
How to get Brandon to Liz? Star Island was too far out of the way for him to drop the child off and then join his fellow officers. His mother couldn’t help since she was working the Morgan party tonight. Caro was there too, though this time as Luke’s date. He redialed but again Liz’s phone went to voicemail. He couldn’t imagine why she was silent, now.
The image of Elizabeth reunited with Brandon played in his imagination. She'd cry tears of joy and hold the boy close. His collar felt tight as he stared at the message from his captain. He probably wouldn’t escape the station until much later and he’d promised Liz today, if possible. Brandon deserved the love of his mother.
Rafe sighed and dialed Jennifer, his high school girlfriend but still a friend. Now a gorgeous actress, she’d dumped him to be Peter Morgan's girlfriend years ago, but she’d never solidified that relationship. Peter moved on to his fiancée and Jennifer was now back in Rafe’s life, as his friend only because that’s all he offered. She answered on the second ring.
There were people near her—voices echoed into the microphone. He swallowed and asked, "Hello?"
"I'm super busy at the moment."
Jennifer was probably staring at her nails or smiling at one of her companions, and probably filming a scene for her show or at a happy hour. He'd known her since pre-school, and on a few things, she never changed. He tugged at his neckline. "Jen, I need you to come down to the station."
"You know I don't associate with criminals, Rafe."
He knew if he said the name “Morgan” she'd be there before he even hung up. Everyone had always warned him about her, which was funny because he’d known Jen and her family long before the warnings started. She thought that the Morgan bank accounts might protect her from the world, when the truth was she was the only one who could protect herself. "I need you to help the Morgans tonight, nothing criminal. It will take you less than an hour."
"Ohh." The wheels in her head must have turned as her voice had a higher pitch. "Okay. I'll be right down."
Of course she would. He rolled his eyes. Jennifer was very predictable. Rafe ended the call and met his son’s eyes. Brandon sat buckled in the car seat next to him and had two fingers in his mouth. "She'll get you to your mom faster than I can. I have a drug bust to deal with."
He scooted his chair closer and rocked the car seat to soothe him. Brandon's smile bubbled and he laughed. Rafe placed his hand on Brandon's and the boy clutched his finger. He couldn't help smiling as he said, "So I'm a detective, Brandon. Do you remember when we talked last week? I knew there was something about you."
He unbuckled the seat belt and scooped the boy into his arms, breathing in his soft, powdered skin. This was his son. For the rest of his life, he had to ensure the boy was safe. No one would ever harm a hair on his head again.
Rafe’s own father had disappeared, leaving him in charge of his sister. As a young man he’d blamed the Morgans, so the irony that an unknown daughter of the House of Morgan was his own child's mother wasn't lost on him. There was no way he'd abandon his own son. He rocked him as he sang a song he remembered his mother singing to him and Caro.
How did he learn to be a dad? There was no course he could take or a manual to read, and half the things he might read online were probably wrong.
Brandon cooed.
Rafe whispered, "Everything will be okay. I'm going to send you to your mom's and check on you in the morning."
He then kissed the boy's cheek. Brandon laughed and nestled in his arms.
The door flew open and the first thing he spotted were bare shoulders missing the sleeves to a designer blouse. "Rafe, what's going on?"
Jennifer's voice echoed in his office. He glanced at the clock and realized he’d spent the last half an hour holding Brandon. He hugged the boy closer, then he slipped him into the car seat, buckled his son, and turned toward the door. "Jen, hey."
Her gaze went briefly to the child and then returned to meet his. "Hi. You said I could help Peter."
Rafe let Brandon play with his fingers as he shook his head. "No. I said you could help the Morgans."
Jen tapped her foot, again glanced at the baby and wrinkled her nose like Brandon was an alien who smelled awful. She crossed her arms and met his stare. "Peter will care if I help his family, even indirectly. What's going on?"
Rafe understood that Jennifer Gonzales was not in her right mind. She’d lost her chance to marry one of the richest men in the world, but the facts were that they’d broken up and Peter had moved on and was now getting married to someone else.
Most of the time, Rafe felt sorry for her, and for all her faults, Jennifer was like a butterfly whose wings had been crushed a long time ago. He kept his voice low and soothing. "Jen, Peter is getting married tonight, but I need you to go to the Morgan house anyway. I know it will be hard for you…"
"No, he's not,” she said. “I’ll go."
His eyebrows quirked. The bride and groom seemed absolutely in love to him. He'd known Peter since high school and his fiancée brought out a brighter side to the man.
Jen came closer to him and said in a low voice, "Belle's plane crashed."
"That's awful." His skin electrified as he sucked in his breath. The words didn't describe how gut-wrenchingly upset Peter Morgan must be, and today of all days. Because of his job, Rafe knew that life ended faster than expected, but it was their wedding day!
The last time he saw Belle was when he’d picked up his mother from work, and she’d asked his opinion on flower arrangements. Peter had worn a huge smile, telling Belle that he loved her. This was too cruel.
Jennifer pressed her lips together and then released her full mouth, knowing she could trust him. "It means if I play my cards right, I can have a second chance with Peter."
Seriously. She was going to do that again. Really? She should give up and move on with her life. How would anyone compete with a dead woman for a man's affections? Ghosts were sometimes worse than live human beings as the memories haunted forever. He hadn't forgotten his own father. He sighed as he continued to play with Brandon's grip on his fingers. "Jen, don't."
Jen heaved her ample chest as she crossed her arms. "Don't get jealous on me. We talked about us needing space yesterday. Rafe, why did you bring me here?"
Right. She had talked, assuming that he wanted her as all men must, and he’d kept his mouth shut. Today was not his day to fix all things named Jennifer Gonzales. Jen was here to ensure he kept his promise to Liz, without him telling her of their connection. Jennifer would find a way to use this development to, somehow, try and get Peter Morgan back as her own. He motioned with his free hand toward the baby. "Jen, this is Brandon."
Her nose curled as her lips went pencil thin. "I don't talk to babies."
No, she wouldn't, unless the baby was cast on one of her telenovelas. Then she'd act the part, but he knew babies hurt Jennifer to look at. She never spoke about it, but that elective stomach surgery her mother had insisted on snipped one of her ovarian tubes. She'd likely never have children of her own.
By chasing Peter Jen was on a path to get her heart broken, again. Rafe rocked the car seat. "Brandon is Elizabeth Morgan's missing son. I have an appointment, and she's not answering her phone though I have no idea why. She knew I promised to get her son to her today, if I could."
A huge smile grew on Jen’s face as she processed his words. Then she said, "She's at Peter's house. For the wedding. But now…"
Poor Peter. He fished his keys for the Escalade from his back pocket. "Can you bring Brandon to Elizabeth? I have everything of his in my car, but I am on duty until 2 AM."
Jennifer took his keys then dug in her pocketbook for hers. "Sure, it’ll be easier to switch cars. Rafe, this is wonderful."
Clearly she saw this as an opportunity to ingratiate herself. His stomach churned, but then he returned his gaze to Brandon. His mother deserved a good day. Elizabeth Morgan had been through enough, and how she’d cried as she held his arm earlier unmanned him. He had promised her he'd get Brando to her today, but he had no idea how he'd deal with her personally. If he wasn’t expected at the drug bust, he’d go to her now.
At 2 AM, she’d be in bed with Brandon beside her. So he had one night to figure out what he'd say as he needed to see Brandon again and be his dad for the rest of his life. He leaned over and ruffled the little guy's hair. "I'm glad you think so. If for whatever reason you don't see Elizabeth, come right back here. Do not leave this baby alone."
“Why, was he kidnapped and then held hostage or something?”
“Kidnapped yes, but the ones who did it are dead.”
“So I’m safe.” Jennifer stared at the diaper bag, but did nothing. Her gaze pointed to him as she silently stated she wasn't signed up for physical labor. Rafe understood her cue and picked up the car seat and baby bag as she directed him toward the door. "Don't worry. I was at the mansion when you called so I know right where she is, but I will return the boy to you if she's gone. Thank you."
He stated the obvious as he opened the door for her and the baby. "I'll help you load him into my truck."
"When will you be done?"
He sucked in his breath. He didn't need Jennifer calling him tonight. Tonight he needed a cold shower and to figure out his next move. He’d be involved in his son's life, for the rest of his life. How to process Liz/Elizabeth? "As I said, I don’t get off until 2 AM. I don't think Elizabeth should wait half the night."
"No, she shouldn't. I wanted to know in case she asked." Her gaze narrowed. "Why do you care so much?"
His cheeks felt hot. "It’s what I’m paid to do when assigned to the Morgan cases."
"Right. Okay. Whatever." She twisted her head and smiled at Brandon as if he was her meal ticket. Jennifer would eventually figure out his connection but for now it was better to avoid her questions.
They made their way out of the station and she opened the rear passenger door. Rafe locked the car seat into the base and winked at his son. He'd see him soon. Then he turned toward Jennifer who jumped into the front seat of his Escalade. He held the door for her. "Okay, be careful with Brandon."
She shrugged as he closed the door. Jen rolled down the window and started the engine. "I've never heard you sound like you care so much. Perhaps it's time for you to get married and have those children, Rafe."
Years ago, when they'd been in school together, he had pictured Jennifer as the love of his life. The image hadn’t surfaced in years, despite what she said or thought. "Are you offering to drop that Peter obsession your mother instilled in you?"
She reached out the window and patted his shoulder. "I can't, but I want you to be happy. You're too wonderful of a man to wait on the sidelines for me. I want you to get out there."
She could think what she liked. He stepped away. "Night, Jen."
She drove into the darkness bringing Brandon to Liz, which meant he’d finished his job. Rafe returned to the station and passed all the guys at their desks in the back without saying a word to anyone. At his office, he closed the door and found the keys to the police car to go to the drug bust.