kid is.” He started pulling her towards the exit.
“There’s no one to call!” she protested. “And frankly, you knew where my parents were all this time; why didn’t you give a shit about our son before now?”
“Your mom said she didn’t know where you were.”
“You spoke to my mom?” Charli stopped struggling and just stared at him. “When?”
“When I first got back to town last year.”
“My name is the same. You could have found me online.”
He glared. “That’s not my job. I didn’t lose the kid. You did. Now let’s go.”
“Let go of my arm before I scream,” she hissed under her breath.
He chuckled. “You’re not going to scream. Shut the fuck up and walk.”
“Let go!” She dug her heels in, refusing to go beyond the doors of the hospital entrance because once they were in the parking lot, she didn’t know what he might do to her. Her heart had started beating wildly and she looked behind her, frantic to find someone who might alert security.
“I said move!” he yelled, shoving her towards the door.
“Touch my girlfriend again and I’ll fuck you up.”
30
Miikka had seen red when he saw the man he assumed was Char-lot’s ex shove her.
“Boyfriend? Who the fuck are you? Get out of my way.”
Miikka smiled. He wasn’t much of a fighter, but he could hold his own, and even if he couldn’t, there wasn’t a chance in hell he was letting this guy get rough with his Char-lot. He’d only been in one official fight as a professional hockey player and he’d hit the guy so hard he hadn’t gotten up for a few minutes. So he had it in him, he just didn’t like violence.
“Go inside, hani,” he told her. “Get security.”
Char-lot ran back through the doors and Miikka walked up to the man without hesitation. “I’m not afraid of you, dill weed.” The man seemed to be mocking Miikka.
“Why don’t you get out of here?” Miikka suggested.
“You know she’s bad news, right? She had my kid and gave him away.”
“This is your last warning,” Miikka said. “Don’t test me.”
Char-lot and a man in a security uniform were heading their direction and Roy glanced at them in annoyance.
“Only reason you’re not dead is it would violate my parole,” he grunted at Miikka.
“I’m right here.” Miikka held up his arms, inviting him to take a swing.
“Fuck you.” The other man started walking briskly towards the parking lot.
“Everything okay, sir?” the security guard asked, following Miikka’s gaze as they watched the man disappear between the cars.
“Everything is fine. Thank you.” Miikka reached for Charli, pulling her close. “You’re okay, muruseni?”
“I’m okay.” She nodded but she was shaking a little.
“Who was that?” he asked once the security guard was gone.
She swallowed. “Roy. My ex. He seems to think I know where the baby is.”
Miikka lifted her chin. “What did you tell him?”
“The truth. I have no idea where he is or what happened to him. The adoption was closed.”
“Yes.” He nodded. “Come. You’re upset. Let’s get something to eat and talk.”
“Okay.” She moved against his side, her fingers sliding into his.
They got into his rental car and he asked her where to go. She guided him to a diner that wasn’t far and they found a table in the back. They were sitting across from each other, which he disliked because he preferred to be able to touch her, but for now he’d focus on her face. She was already shaken up and what he was about to tell her would probably send her reeling all over again.
“What are you still doing here?” she asked once they’d ordered.
“I wasn’t going to leave things the way they are with us,” he said gently. “Also, I had work to do.”
“Work?” She frowned in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“I told you I was going to try to find him.”
Her eyes met his and he watched a play of emotions move through them in the span of a few seconds. Shock, excitement, concern, fear. It was all there and she didn’t move, her mouth parting slightly.
“What, I mean…” She cleared her throat. “Did you?”
“Yes.”
Tears puddled her eyes and she covered her mouth with her hand. “Really? Where is he? Oh my god, Miikka.”
He reached across the table for her hands. “He’s in St. Louis. If we leave now, we can be there in six hours or so. If you want to see him.”
“S-see him?” She was crying outright now and he got up and moved around the booth so he