Wild Stallion

“In addition to getting me the info on Caden’s birth mother, there is something you can do,” he said to Evan as the ambulance drove away. The sheriff and one of the deputies followed along right behind it. “There are two women who were at the hospital during the hostage situation. Shannon Wright and Robin Russo. I need you to dig deep and see if one of them possibly took Bailey’s son.”

“Considering they were connected to the hostages and investigation that followed, I’m sure the cops have already done this,” Evan quickly pointed out.

“Do it again.” And it was definitely an order. “While you’re at it, I want another thorough background check on Ryan Cassaine.” Now Jackson looked at her. “He’s the adoption attorney I used.”

That sent her heart racing again. Did that mean Jackson was at least allowing for the possibility that Caden was her son?

“Why are you doing this?” she heard herself whisper. “Why are you willing to help me?”

“I’m not,” Jackson quickly clarified. “I want the truth so I can get you out of my life. I don’t believe Caden is yours. I think you’re so desperate to find your child that you’re willing to latch on to mine.”

That stung more than she thought. Probably because she had started to feel this weird camaraderie between them. And the equally weird attraction. But Bailey just realized that Jackson had put her in her place.

“You’re not going to have her taken into custody for questioning?” Evan demanded.

Again, Jackson hesitated. “No. Not until I have the answers I want.”

Answers the intruder might provide. But there was another way to settle one aspect of this baby issue once and for all. “You can do the test to compare Caden’s DNA to mine,” she reminded Jackson in a whisper. However, her lowered voice failed because Evan obviously heard her anyway.

“A DNA test is a bad idea,” Evan instantly responded. Again, he tried to take Jackson aside, but Jackson held his ground. “Consult your legal department. I doubt one of those highly paid lawyers will tell you to consent to anything this woman wants.”

Jackson stayed quiet a moment. “Probably not.” Another pause. “But arrange for the test anyway.” He went inside with Evan right on his heels.

Had she just heard Jackson correctly? Was he really going to allow the test, or was this some kind of trick to placate her?

“You can’t do this,” Evan insisted. “She could be a scam artist.”

“Then the test will prove that.”

Still stunned about Jackson’s possible cooperation, Bailey continued to follow the men so she could listen.

“But it could prove … other things,” Evan said, lowering his voice to a near whisper. Bailey heard him anyway.

Yes, it could prove the adoption was illegal. Jackson could lose custody of the baby he was trying to adopt.

Jackson had been practically iron-jawed during this conversation, and for that matter, the crazy events of the day, but she saw the flash of pain on his face. Pain she understood. He wasn’t just Caden’s soon-to-be adoptive father, he obviously loved the child, and ironically, if Caden was her son, Jackson had spent more time with the baby than she had.

Bailey hadn’t even gotten to hold him.

“Do the background checks on the adoption attorney and the two women from the hospital,” Jackson continued, talking to Evan. The pain was gone, and the iron-dragon persona was back in place. “Get that DNA test here today.”

Evan’s chin came up, and there was fire in his eyes. “And if I object?”

“You won’t,” Jackson simply answered, and he walked away.

Obviously fuming now, Evan started to leave, but then he turned to her. He pointed his finger in her face. “So help me, if you do anything to hurt Jackson or the baby, I’ll make sure you’re locked up for the rest of your life.”