Sworn to Protect by Jo Davis Read Free Book Online

off.”
    “Don’t worry. It’s an occupational hazard, so I’m used to it.” She gave him a soft smile, which he returned.
    As he studied her, he had an epiphany. It was like a curtain being lifted. “The kids you get are such lost souls. How do you do
this
, every single day?” he asked, waving a hand in the general direction Drew had gone.
    “That’s what we ask ourselves about you guys in homicide.”
    “Yeah, but it’s different. How do you deal with at-risk children who’ve endured so much they’re in danger of going down the wrong path, and with parents who don’t care?”
    She leaned forward, expression intense with passion for the subject. “That’s a misconception. Most parents
do
care a great deal, just like you do for Drew. Most of them desperately want to save their kids, but don’t have the skills or resources to help them. I’ve seen abuse, sure, and parents who couldn’t care less what happens to their children, but they aren’t the rule. You just hear more about them than the good ones, that’s all.”
    “Still, I couldn’t do your job. I don’t see how you keep sane.”
    “You want to know how? Because every kid I save from ending up a statistic in
your
division makes it worthwhile.”
    That simple statement struck him hard. What she did was so damned important. How could he have failed to really
see
her before? To appreciate her not only as a woman, but as a friend and colleague who was making a difference?
    He was humbled at his shortsightedness—and shamed.
    They finished their meal and Daisy rose. “I’ll clear the dishes. Why don’t you go check on Drew?”
    “Okay. And thank you.”
    She waved him off, and he went in search of his godson. The boy wasn’t in the living room, so he made his way to Drew’s room. Pushing open the door slowly, he saw the boy’s figure curled on the bed on his side. His body was relaxed, breathing deep and even. As Shane moved closer, he saw Drew really was asleep. Probably the best thing for him right now.
    Drawn forward, Shane knelt by the bed. Reached out and touched the boy’s hair. Stroked gently, his heart broken for Drew. And for himself. He’d never imagined anything happening to Brad. Had never seriously entertained having children. But both had come to pass.
    In the blink of an eye, Shane was parent to a grieving sixteen-year-old boy he had no idea how to raise.
    Or how to protect.

3
     
    Daisy hovered in the doorway to Drew’s room, breath caught in her throat.
    Shane was on his knees beside the bed, stroking the boy’s hair. His expression was grief stricken, but there was such love, too. This wasn’t a man fulfilling an obligation. This was a man who truly loved the people he allowed into his life, a man who would do anything for them.
    And she longed to be one of those people.
    How selfish can I be?
It wasn’t Shane’s fault she’d enjoyed a couple of rolls in the sack and had gotten her heart broken when she expected more. She blamed herself. He’d made it clear she wasn’t going to be someone he wanted to keep, and she had no business hanging around here longer than necessary.
    Quietly, she backed away and returned to the living room to wait for him. Over and over, her mind replayed what she’d just witnessed and the fact that Shane wasn’t the cavalier, happy-go-lucky slut he pretended to be. He was so much more.
    He came back into the room just then, looking worn-out. “He’s resting.”
    “He’ll need a lot of that to get through the next few weeks.” She paused. “Is there anything else I can do?”
    “No,” he said, moving to stand right in front of her. “But thank you for being here.”
    The clear dismissal had her throat tightening in disappointment. She shoved it down and mustered a small smile. “Well, if you need me, don’t hesitate to call.”
    “All right.”
    He wouldn’t, she knew. She squeezed his hand, then turned to leave. But she was brought up short when he didn’t let go. Instead