Free Newborn Conspiracy by Delores Fossen

feeling of discomfort went up a significant notch.
    “I’ll get his carrier" she said, standing.
    Much to her surprise, Logan didn’t get up, as well. In fact, he sat there, studying her as she went into the narrow hall and then the guest bedroom. She took several deep breaths before she put Tanner in the carrier and went back into the room. She sat the carrier on the floor next to her.
    Still. Logan didn’t say anything, though it was clear from his intense gaze and bunched up forehead that he had something on his mind. He sat there, ate some eggs and finished off his juice.
    Maybe that was his tactic: no conversation. Make her totally uncomfortable. Grill her with that stare. And then she’d start blabbing.
    Which is exactly what she did, “I haven’t let you hold Tanner yet because, frankly, I’m scared of you," Mia heard herself say. She groaned, knowing she should have never opened up this subject for discussion, but unable to put it off any longer. Her ten-pound, eleven-ounce son was the equivalent of the six-hundred-pound gorilla in the room.

    Logan made another sound of agreement."You still think I’m a mercenary."

    “Aren’t you?"

    He calmly got up and poured himself some coffee.
    He offered her a cup by lifting the carafe, but Mia declined, shaking her head.
    “I do special rescues" Logan explained, returning to the table.
    But he didn’t just return, he repositioned his chair so that it was closer to both Tanner and her. Logan leaned back, practically lounging, his long legs stretched out in front of him.

    “Define special rescues," Mia insisted.

    “I didn’t think you’d want to know that."

    She shook her head."I don’t really want to, but…"

    He waited a moment and the corner of his mouth lifted. Almost a smile."But you know that you should learn everything about me because I’m Tanner’s father."

    “His biological father."

    “His father" There was some bite to his tone, “And I ‘m not the slimy criminal you think I am,"

    “Yes, because you do special rescues" she mumbled, her sarcasm showing through.
    No more lounging. He sat up in the chair as if preparing for some kind of official briefing, “My team is contracted by the government when they need a quiet rescue."

    Still skeptical, she shook her head."And what exactly is a quiet rescue?"

    “Let’s say that the U.S. Department of State wants businesses, perfectly legal ones, to be established in a country where we have little or no diplomatic relations. And then let’s say something goes wrong, like the head of the company is kidnapped. The government wouldn’t want the word to get out about the kidnapping. That’s literally bad for business. And they can’t send in the military. Too much publicity. No CIA either. Too much talk if the international press gets wind of it."

    “So, they hire you?" Mia asked.

    “They hire me," he confirmed.

    It sounded legitimate. But there was still the obvious objection."Okay, so maybe I was wrong about you being a mercenary. But I wasn’t wrong about the danger. Do you really think with what you do that you could be a suitable father?"

    “Funny you should mention that. Two months ago I would have had my own doubts about fatherhood. But this injury changed everything."

    Mia was so surprised that it took her a moment to ask her next question, “You’re changing your line of work?"

    “Yeah. Out of necessity. Rescue agents need to be a hundred percent. I’m not. And my leg never will be. My top employee, Jason Cartwright, will buy the company, and I’ll concentrate on a new venture— bodyguard services."

    Oh, she didn’t like this. Without that dark, dangerous cloud hanging over him, Logan might actually seem to be more… human.
    And fatherly.
    “Personal security can be risky, too " she pointed out.

    “Not as much as you obviously hope it will be "

    She frowned at his smugness."But it still could be dangerous."

    “Not really. I’ll run the company from my laptop.