“You’re better off without him,” Oz couldn’t help but add.
“I know,” his neighbor said.
He was glad to see she wasn’t breaking down in hysterics. He supposed she’d probably be upset later, and he couldn’t blame her, but for now she was holding herself together.
“I’m Oz,” he said with a small lift of his chin.
“Riley,” she reciprocated.
Oz opened his mouth to say something else, but he heard the elevator down the hall ding and turned to see who was getting off. If it was Riley’s ex returning, he was going to make sure the man understood once and for all he wasn’t welcome back.
But instead, a man wearing a suit and tie, along with a kid who was around nine or ten, walked down the hall toward them.
Oz frowned—and was even more confused when the man stopped in front of him.
“Porter Reed?” he asked.
“That’s me,” Oz told him.
“I work with the Texas Department of Family and Protection Services, the Child Protective Services section. Do you have a sister named Rebecca Reed?”
“Yes.”
“I regret to inform you that your sister has passed away under unfortunate circumstances. You’re listed as next of kin, and this is your nephew, Logan Reed.”
Oz blinked in surprise, his neighbor forgotten, the argument he’d overheard gone from his head as if it hadn’t happened. All he could do was stare down at the little boy who was trying to be brave, but was obviously scared to death.
He opened his mouth to protest, to say that the kid couldn’t be his nephew, that he hadn’t even known his sister had a kid. But then the little boy looked up…and Oz got a look at his eyes.
The kid had lived through hell. He could see it in his gaze, along with terror as he looked up at the strange man he’d never met. A man who could hurt him, as he’d obviously been hurt in the past.
But it was the gray color of his eyes, just like Oz’s own, that convinced him the boy had his blood running through his veins.
And as if a switch was flicked inside him, Oz instantly knew he’d do whatever it took to protect the boy. If Becky was truly dead, and CPS was at his doorstep, Logan had no one else to look after him. To keep him safe.
Moving slowly, so as not to alarm the boy more than he already was, Oz crouched down so he could look Logan in the eyes. He held out his hand and said softly, “Hi, Logan. I’m Oz. Your uncle. And no one is ever going to hurt you again.”
Oz has his work cut out for him with his nephew…and what’s going to happen with his neighbor? Pick up Oz and Riley’s story in Shielding Riley NOW!
And if you haven’t read about Memaw’s neighbors, Brain and Aspen? Pick up Shielding Aspen today!
Also by Susan Stoker
Delta Team Two Series
Shielding Gillian
Shielding Kinley
Shielding Aspen
Shielding Jayme (novella)
Shielding Riley (Jan 2021)
Shielding Devyn (May 2021)
Shielding Ember (Sep 2021)
Shielding Sierra (Jan 2022)
SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Protecting Kiera (novella)
Protecting Alabama’s Kids (novella)
Protecting Dakota
SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series
Securing Caite
Securing Brenae (novella)
Securing Sidney
Securing Piper
Securing Zoey
Securing Avery
Securing Kalee
Securing Jane (Feb 2021)
SEAL Team Hawaii Series
Finding Elodie (Apr 2021)
Finding Lexie (Aug 2021)
Finding Kenna (Oct 2021)
Finding Monica (TBA)
Finding Carly (TBA)
Finding Ashlyn (TBA)
Finding Jodelle (TBA)
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne
Rescuing Aimee (novella)
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily (novella)
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey
Rescuing Sadie (novella)
Rescuing Wendy
Rescuing Mary
Rescuing Macie (novella)
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie
Justice for Mickie
Justice for Corrie
Justice for Laine (novella)
Shelter for Elizabeth
Justice for Boone
Shelter for Adeline
Shelter for Sophie
Justice for Erin
Justice for Milena
Shelter for Blythe
Justice for Hope
Shelter for Quinn
Shelter for Koren
Shelter for Penelope
Ace Security Series
Claiming Grace
Claiming Alexis
Claiming Bailey
Claiming Felicity
Claiming Sarah
Mountain Mercenaries Series
Defending Allye
Defending Chloe
Defending Morgan
Defending Harlow
Defending Everly
Defending Zara
Defending Raven
Silverstone Series
Trusting Skylar
Trusting Taylor (Mar 2021)
Trusting Molly (July 2021)
Trusting Cassidy (Dec 2021)
Stand Alone
The Guardian Mist
Nature’s Rift
A Princess for Cale
A Moment in Time- A Collection of Short Stories
Another Moment in Time- A Collection of Short Stories
Lambert’s Lady
Special Operations Fan Fiction
Beyond Reality Series
Outback Hearts
Flaming Hearts
Frozen Hearts
Writing as Annie George:
Stepbrother Virgin (erotic novella)
About the Author
New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Texas. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.
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