Protecting His Forever(53)

“What the fuck?” Kane says shocked his expression mirroring mine.

The little boy flinches, but stares defiantly through the gate. He is older than Arabella. He looks around seven Kane opens the gate and the little boy steps through.

Kane bends down in front of him. “Who are you?”

“Her brother.”





Chapter Sixteen





“Her brother? Where are your parents? Your mom?” Kane asks him, softly.

“Dead. We have the same mom.” He stares at the ground as he answers Kane.

Holy shit. How is this happening? What? When? How? Shaking my head in confusion, I walk forward so I am standing right beside Kane.

“Where's your dad?” I ask him softly.

His clothes are completely torn and dirty. His little cheeks are dirty. His hair overgrown. His eyes are like Arabella’s when we got her—haunted and dull. Closing my eyes, I try to control my anger. Arabella is young and she will forget most things. He won’t. He is old enough to remember a lot. His blue eyes stare directly in mine.

“My dad was in jail, but got killed there. The people that were watching me dropped me off here as soon as they got a phone call this morning.” He looks straight ahead showing no emotion. His little fists are clenched at his sides.

“Uhh, Kane, I was planning on telling you something. Can you come over here for a second? You too, Syd.” Standing back up, I look at Ethan in confusion. Kane takes my hand and leads me over to Ethan. Just as we get closer to him I hear him mutter, “Is it possible that it can be linked?”

“Last night the man that tried to kidnap Syd was murdered by an inmate. From the rumors that were circulating, the gang he was in wanted him killed so he wouldn’t rat.” He looks over at the little boy in sympathy.

We are all that little boy has left. Kane walks off pissed. I follow after him knowing that we have to talk. He goes to the patio and sits down. He sees me and pats his lap. I sit down and snuggle close. Shocked, basically. My head can’t wrap around this. The man, me, Arabella, that little boy?

“Sydney…” he starts. His eyes show nothing turmoil.

“I know, Kane,” I whisper and look out at the field.

“We are all he has left. Arabella is his sister.”

“I know. He has had such a hard life, Kane. You can see it in his eyes. Arabella had it bad, but she is young. He is older and will remember a whole lot more. Those big blue eyes will haunt me just like Arabella’s did. They are filled with so much sadness and pain.” My voice cracks at the last part.

“I know, sweetheart. I can’t put him in foster care. What kind of fucked up people would we be if we turned that little boy away?” he tells me sadly.

I nod my head in agreement. He takes a hold of my face and turns me around to look at him.

“Can you handle this, sweetheart?”

“I can handle anything with you by my side, Kane. Arabella is my daughter, and I love her so much. That little boy… I want to give him a good life too. He deserves it. He has no one. His mom overdosed. His dad was a mean and horrible person.”

“He looks just like her.” Her meaning Arabella.

“He really does.”

I stand up and he takes my hand. Everyone is still standing there looking at each other. Arabella is standing beside the little boy holding his hand. Kane squeezes my hand tighter at the sight.

Kane pulls Ethan to the side to get everything sorted.

“Come on, everyone, let’s go eat!” Clapping my hands, Arabella takes off running. The little boy stares at me in shock.

“What’s the matter?” I ask softly not wanting to frighten him.

“You guys eat together?”

“Yes, we do.” Smiling at him. “You hungry?”

He looks down at the ground ashamed. The growl I hear is proof enough. “Come on, let’s get you fed.”

I place my hand out for him to take. He looks at it warily then slowly places it in mine. Pulling his gently, we walk to the patio. Pulling out a chair for him, I grab a plate and load it with a steak and the works. Cutting up the steaks in little pieces for him, I set it in front of him and he just stares at it like Arabella did when she first came here. He then takes the fork and stuffs huge bites in his mouth. He eats and eats. Grabbing some water, I set it in front of him. He takes it and chugs it down. Hearing a sob, I look back to see Jessica and Brae crying.

Kane us a plate. Everyone is already eating. Arabella is sitting in Isaac’s lap which makes me feel like a horrible mom—I forgot to get her a plate. “Don’t worry I got her.” Isaac nods his head at me. I give him a thankful smile.

The police show up a little while later with a social worker. He is to stay with us. He does have distant family, but they have many priors of drug abuse and the other is child neglect and endangerment. Carter is seven years old.