Free In The Arms of a Stranger by Kristen Robinette

firsthand look at the accident scene. Maybe his cop’s instincts were working overtime to waylay other, more base instincts where Dana was concerned.
    Then again, maybe not.

Chapter 5
    D ana opened the door before Luke reached it, the baby clutched against her shoulder. “Did you call for help?” she asked.
    Luke stomped snow from his boots and slapped it from the shoulders of his leather coat before stepping over the threshold. His eyes grazed hers, then went to the baby. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and the softening of his features made him look less fierce, less like a predator.
    Predator. That was the word she’d been searching for, the one that best described his constant pacing, the scowl he wore when scanning the windows. He was like a predator watching for prey. But Dana knew differently. He was trying to make sure they didn’t become prey.
    Luke didn’t say a word but walked behind her to get a better look at the baby. “Hey, you. How’s it going?” he asked. There was no baby talk, no ooing and cooing. But that was the last thing she would expect from Luke Sutherlin. She felt a gentle movement against her shoulder and realized the baby had lifted his head to get a better look at Luke, as well.
    â€œI got a signal.” His interest in the baby was cut off as quickly as it had materialized and he stepped around to face her. “My men are checking with the Atlanta PD regarding Gonzalez.”
    â€œIs that it?” she asked when he didn’t offer any other news. “Did they say when they could get us out?”
    â€œActually, no.” He removed his jacket and withdrew his gun, checking the safety. “But it’s going to be a while. We’ll have to manage on our own.”
    â€œBut the formula…” Dana stroked the wisps of soft hair that covered the baby’s head, jiggling him gently when he began to fret.
    â€œStretch it as far as you can. Dilute it.”
    The command was stark, unfeeling. Where was the concern for the baby he’d shown a few minutes earlier? Dana pressed her hand between the baby’s shoulder blades and felt his heartbeat steady and strong. Maybe Luke’s plan was the only choice they had for now, but she wouldn’t blindly follow his commands without putting the baby’s needs first. She’d done that once. Lesson learned.
    â€œGive me the rundown on Gonzalez,” he said abruptly. “What’s your connection to him?”
    â€œI’ve already told you.” She narrowed her eyes, wondering at the sudden change in his manner. “I’m a key witness. I’m scheduled to testify against him.”
    â€œWhat, exactly, will you be testifying to?”
    There it was again. The chance to tell Luke Sutherlin everything.
    But the confession wouldn’t come. Luke’s very presence was intimidating, his professional scrutiny unnerving, but there was no condemnation in his eyes. That would changeif she told him the whole truth about Paul Gonzalez and his son. And the thought of being trapped with Luke and her confession was suddenly unbearable.
    She closed her eyes. In her mind she could see Michael, could still envision his brown eyes brimming with tears as he begged her to become his mommy.
    She’d wanted to say yes, wanted it more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life. But she’d said no. Why? Her reasons had all seemed so logical at the time—maintaining professional distance, Robert’s objections, fear of her own inadequacies. But none of that had mattered after the state located Michael’s natural father.
    Everything changed when Paul Gonzalez entered the picture. Michael was terrified of his father. And with good reason. When he confided to Dana, on camera, that his biological father had abused him, Dana knew she’d do anything to keep him out of his father’s reach.
    She’d been so certain that airing the