I drop my gaze and nod.
“Can we talk for a minute?” Rock’s voice drops to a low, hypnotic rumble. “If you have the time.”
“Oh. Of course.” Finally, I wrestle my fear into submission and force a quick smile. He’s worried about Marcel, not here to murder me. “Come on back into my office.”
His bulky size emphasizes how small the hallway is, and he shoots a glare at the ceiling that hangs low enough to tickle his scalp. I turn but hear the whisper of his leather cut against my bright yellow walls as he follows me.
“Have a seat.” I gesture toward one of the chairs in front of the desk and take the other one, turning it so we’re facing each other. “What’s on your mind?”
What a stupid question. He’s not here for legal advice.
“So, you heard from him? He’s okay?”
Damn you, Marcel. “Yes. He didn’t call you?”
He pulls out his phone and checks the screen but his expression remains impossible to read. “Teller talk to you before he took off?” he asks, tucking his phone into his pocket.
“About the paternity test?” Duh, why else would he be here? “About you and him? Yes. He told me.”
“I thought he was okay. But then he just left.”
I may not know Rock all that well but the note of hurt in his voice rings true. “I think he felt bad… He was worried he caused Hope to have problems.” Hope had gone to the hospital with Braxton Hicks contractions shortly after telling Marcel and Rock about their true relationship. No matter how much Hope had tried to assure Marcel the two events weren’t related, he didn’t buy it. It was the final push Marcel needed to take to the highway.
“Charlotte, I’m worried about him. Nothing more. I want to make sure he’s okay.”
Get a grip, Charlotte. “He’s okay. Honestly, Rock, as long as I’ve known him, he’s always”—I hesitate, trying to find the most honest and least offensive way to phrase this—“looked up to you. Thought of you as a father.”
“Obviously, I don’t deserve that.”
This is a far different conversation than I ever expected to have with Rock. Feeling more confident, I give him my honest opinion. Thoughts I’ve already shared with Marcel. “From the stories he’s told me, I think you do. He’s always said you’re the only person he’s been able to count on. You’re the one who steered him in the right direction. Made sure he finished school. Kept him out of trouble. Gave him the ability to take care of his sister. Nurtured his business sense. Those are all things he’s told me were because of you.”
Rock’s jaw twitches as he seems to digest my words.
“If it wasn’t for you, he wouldn’t have been able to take care of Heidi,” I repeat.
Finally, his lips twist into a wry smile. “He ever tell you how we met?”
Something about trying to steal from the club. It’s a miracle Marcel’s even alive to tell that story. “Just bits and pieces.”
“He was a brave kid. Risking his life to take care of his sister and his buddy.”
“Murphy?” Who else?
“They were inseparable long before I met them.”
“Marcel’s a good man, Rock. Maybe you didn’t know he was your son, but you raised him well.” I hope he understands I mean every word.
“Thank you, Charlotte. Appreciate that.” He stares at me and I force myself not to flinch under his penetrating gaze. “You’re good for him.”
“I hope so.”
“When did he call you? What did he say? He tell you where exactly he is?”
Although I don’t think Rock’s here to hurt me, I still want to protect Marcel. If he doesn’t want to be found right now, by Rock or anyone else, that should be his choice. “He called about half an hour before you showed up. He didn’t really give me any details, but he said he’s fine.”
“You know where he is?” he asks again.
Damn. What is it about this man that makes it impossible to lie? He should have been a lawyer. “Niagara Falls. I’m not sure why he went there. I offered to meet him.”