Protecting His Kidnapped Family - Leslie North Page 0,50
Tea or water? I can make some coffee too, if you’d like.”
“Tea is fine, thank you,” his mother said, taking a seat on the sofa where Noah had slept the night before.
His dad set the huge stuffed pink elephant down in one of the armchairs and took a seat beside his mom, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her into his side, like they were young lovebirds or something. “Tea’s great for me too, thanks. With some honey, if you have it.”
“Sure thing,” Olive said, walking past Noah and giving him a look. “Go in there and be nice.”
Noah tried to wipe the scowl off his face and failed miserably. He had no idea what they were doing here, together, nor was he in the mood for entertaining. Still, they’d come all this way, and his mother had raised him right. He took a deep breath and wandered into the living room to sit across from his parents, next seat over from the elephant. “So, how’d you figure out where we were staying?”
“That nice young man at your office told us,” his mom said, placing her hand on his father’s knee and drawing a deeper scowl from Noah. “Clint? I think that’s his name. You’ve been so busy, I haven’t met anyone you work with yet. Well, except for Levon here.” She gestured toward his buddy, who was leaning an elbow on the fireplace mantel and grinning like he was watching a new episode of reality TV and not Noah’s life going up in flames.
He shot his friend a dark look, then glanced back at his dad. “And what’s he doing here again?”
“Son, I know this probably comes as a shock to you—” his dad started before Noah cut him off.
“You think?” Jaw tight, he sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. He had no intention of letting this guy in again. He’d made that mistake as a kid and been heartbroken when his dad had walked out on him and his mom when he was thirteen. And sure, maybe his leaving had been for the best. It sure as hell had left things more peaceful around their house without all the constant bickering, but still. What kind of asshole just walks out on their kid without a word for years? Nope. His mom might have forgiven the bastard, but Noah wasn’t there yet. Not by a long shot. “How’d you get to Atlanta?”
“We flew out of O’Hare last night,” his mother said. She still lived in the house he’d grown up in, in Gurney, Illinois, just outside the city. “Your father and I rented a place out on Tybee Island for the week, but thought we’d make a stop off here in Atlanta first, once I found out where you were, and who was with you. I couldn’t pass up the chance to meet my grandbaby in person.”
At the reminder of Gracie, a bit of his fierce bravado weakened. Crap. Given how things stood between him and Serena, now was not the optimal time to be showing off their baby to anyone. Not only were things tense between them, but given how close he’d always been with his mother, she’d see his true feelings for Serena and Gracie written all over his face.
“What do you do for a living, Mr. Wild?” Levon asked, filling the conversational void, much to Noah’s irritation.
“Uh, I work in the gaming industry, selling security software to casinos,” his father said. “I’m working with several riverboat ventures in Joliet right now, so it works out well with me and Danielle.”
“Nice,” Levon said, darting Noah a look that screamed don’t-be-a-dick. Except that where his father was concerned, Noah felt fully justified in being less than hospitable. “Must be where Noah gets it from, then.”
“Gets what?” he snapped. He wasn’t like his father. Not at all. Noah took care of his responsibilities. Noah stood his ground and didn’t run away when things got tough.
“Your love of gambling,” Levon said, his tone amused. His clear amusement at the situation was a score they’d have to settle later. “Your son was the reigning blackjack champ of his SEAL team.”
“Wow, son. That’s impressive,” his dad said, giving him a hesitant smile.
Noah opened his mouth to tell him where he could shove his impression, but footsteps coming down the stairs shut him up before he could say another word.
“Let’s see if we can get you fed, baby girl,” Serena said in a lilting voice that pinched Noah’s