Daddy's Adorable Assassin (Daddy's Little Deviants)

HUNTER

“Fuck.”

I stared at the bruise on my shoulder and grimaced. Cosmo had bitten me, and the area was red and swollen this morning. The sight of blood on the sheet when I’d rolled out of bed reminded me how wild he’d gotten because he’d seen Knight kiss me. If he reacted this way from a kiss, would he have driven a stake through my heart had I cheated?

At least he believed me now, and we could put the whole ugliness behind us. It wasn’t too late to change our narrative, direct our energies to a more positive outlet rather than aggressive sex and fists. I’d never had someone spit in my face before, and had anyone else tried, I would have knocked them out, but when Cosmo had, all I could see was his pain. All I could hear was his accusation that I’d betrayed him.

He was so scarred by those people who’d raised him. So what if he was a little rough around the edges? For the most part, he was well behaved. He was an intelligent boy. He could learn how to solve conflicts and that biting people was a big no.

After putting a Band-Aid on my arm, I wrapped a towel around my waist and walked into the bedroom. Cosmo was still sleeping, a small curled-up figure lost in the sheets. Only his head peeked out. Warmth filled my chest as I gazed at him, and I didn’t even bother to fight off the feeling this time. I’d fallen hard for this boy. He’d snuck up on me, took hold of me, and now refused to let go.

He didn’t have to worry about me ever letting him go. How the fuck would this affect my career?

He was still asleep when I got dressed. I didn’t want to wake him up, so I scribbled a note that I was going out for a couple of hours, but I would be back soon. I left detailed instructions on what he should have for breakfast. With the meal prep already done, he should be able to help himself.

When I kissed his forehead, he didn’t even stir. His soft snores made me smile. He was so precious but skittish and full of wounds. I had to take care I didn’t accidentally pour salt in them, like I had last night.

A blue sedan parked across the street from our house revealed the FBI’s presence. I walked across the street to the car, and the agent wound down the window.I frowned at the familiar face that appeared.

“Agent Ellis? You’re the one on watch?”

“Yes, sir. I volunteered.”

“Well, I’ll be gone for a couple of hours. Don’t let anyone get in who isn’t me.”

“No offense, sir, but I know how to do my job.”

Of course he did. I nodded and waved as I jogged back and hopped into my SUV. My first stop was the police station. Barney wasn’t on the morning shift, which I was grateful for. I wasn’t in the mood to answer his questions about the case, or any questions for that matter.

I went straight to the Missing Persons Squad, armed with photographs of Cosmo and copies of the pictures we’d found in Virgil’s house.

“Let me get this straight,” Dixon, the cop on duty, said. “Instead of us looking for a missing person, you have someone who’s actually found but do not know who he is.”

“Exactly.” I handed him the notes I’d made on Cosmo. “Here’s everything I have. I figured you might try to match him based on his age to another child who might have gone missing around that time. Can you do that?”

“It’s not impossible.”

“Great. And, Dixon, whatever information you find, it’s not to be shared with anyone else but me.”

He frowned. “Am I doing anything illegal?”

“Of course not. It’s just personal. I’m helping someone to find out his origin.”

“Okay, sure thing. I can’t do it during work hours, but I’ll see what I can find for you.”

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”

From the police station, I drove to my son’s apartment, not sure how he would behave toward me. Sometimes he was welcoming, and other times he wouldn’t even let me in. He opened the door and looked me up and down.

“Something about you seems different.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Hmm. You’ve been here a lot lately.”

“Yes.” His apartment was quiet, no giggling or pitter-pattering of little feet. “Where are your partners?”

“Having a sleepover. Why?”