He chuffed out a laugh. “And that will always be my favorite animal.” Leaning close, he kissed her. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. You know that, don’t you?” She nodded. “I think time will help you determine your next career step.”
“Thank you for being my rock.”
“Thank you for being mine.” He dropped a soft kiss on her mouth. “I know you moved in here for safety, but I want you to stay. I love having you here. Make this your home, Evan.”
While staring into his eyes, she grew quiet. After a moment, she said, “This is a real commitment.”
Acknowledging her, he nodded.
A smile touched her eyes. “I would love to start and end each day with you. One day at a time, okay?”
“Okay.” Rising, he held out his hand. “For the next few hours, I want to pamper you and love you. Take a break from reality with me.”
When she slid her hand into his, he pulled her to her feet and enclosed her in his tight embrace. Her happiness meant everything to him and he would do whatever necessary to keep her safe, and would love her with his entire being.
Arm in arm, they walked upstairs. After hot showers, they crawled into bed and snuggled close. When he turned off the light, she said, “I want to make love to you.”
He reached for his night table drawer, but she pulled him back to her.
“I’m on the pill and I’m clean. I don’t want a condom, but we can use one if you want.”
He rolled toward her and kissed her. “I’m clean, too.” He captured her face in his hands and kissed her again. “Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”
They found solace in each other’s arms. Their soft kisses and gentle caresses gave way to an intensity that left them both breathless. She fed his unquenchable fire with her own untamed fervor. Her love for him was evident in the way she held him, and in her sensual kisses, but the passion in her eyes confirmed the true depth of her feelings.
With complete conviction, he had found his person. For as long as he lived, he would choose her. The only question that remained was whether she would choose him back.
On the way to the office, Evangeline checked in with Hannah, still at the hospital.
“Hi,” Hannah answered. “The test results came back and the sedatives Charlene put in my tea are out of my system.”
“That’s great,” Evangeline replied. “How did you feed Robert at the hospital?”
“Formula. He’s such an easygoing baby. He drank it down, then slept for hours. I spoke with the hospital psychiatrist.”
“How’d that go?”
“She was very helpful. I declined anxiety meds because I’m nursing, but if I experience PTSD symptoms, I’ll contact my doctor.”
“Sounds like a solid plan. When are you going home?”
“This morning. Mom’s taking us, then she’s going grocery shopping for me. She’s pretty fired up about Charlene.”
“Aren’t we all?”
“I invited Trevon to dinner tonight.”
“Wow, that’s big.”
“Yup. I’m telling him. Well, he’ll be able to see Robert for himself. Anyway, I’m so nervous I threw up. Could you come by around eight? I’ll either have good news or I’ll be a wreck.”
“Of course. Is Mom staying for dinner?”
“No, she’s got a date.”
“Are you going to be okay by yourself?”
“Yes. I called Henninger’s and someone from their home security division is coming by this afternoon to talk to me about home systems. I’m stronger than I realized.”
Relieved, Evangeline smiled. “Yes, you are. Good luck with Trevon. I’ll see you tonight.” After hanging up, Evangeline parked, then hurried inside the Justice building. While her laptop booted up, she stared at the boxes of evidence that had been stacked in her cubicle.
The morning dragged into the afternoon. Evangeline first poured over the online evidence and then started sifting through one of the boxes.
Charlene Caraway had built herself a massive empire. From the information Evangeline had gleaned, she’d been trafficking babies for decades. The business operated as if it were a legitimate adoption agency, but also offered accommodations for pregnant women who wished to carry their babies to term at the eighty-bed facility. While there, they received free health care and meals. But most of the mothers did not live at the facility. Those transactions were facilitated by the many Uncle Charlies in the field who combed the country for vulnerable women willing to sell their infants. Each pregnant woman was paid ten thousand dollars for her healthy child, whether they lived at The Institute or not.
Charlene’s asking price for a healthy child was a cool hundred grand, but certain clients were charged more, depending on their net worth. Charlene’s close personal friends, Maya and Craig Fields, were willing to shell out a whopping quarter of a million for Robert because Charlene personally knew the biological mother, and they wanted an interracial child.
Evangeline’s blood ran cold as she read through Charlene’s notes.
Birth Mother: 26-year-old female. Caucasian. B.A. in Education. Works full-time as a kindergarten teacher in Alexandria Public Schools. Healthy. No known genetic dysfunction.
Birth Father: 30-year-old male. African American. B.S. in Accounting. Works full-time as an accountant at the Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C. Healthy. No known genetic dysfunction.
Charlene had amassed thousands of clients from all over the country. What boggled Evangeline were the exemplary records she kept. Charlene documented everything, including clients’ names, addresses, and how much they’d paid for their infants.
By the time Evangeline left for Hannah’s that evening, she was struggling to comprehend the extensive reach of Charlene’s empire and the staggering amount of money that had exchanged hands over the years.
At eight twenty, she street parked and hurried to Hannah’s front door. Rather than use her key, she rang the doorbell. Hannah swung open the door, her eyes red from crying. Oh, no. Her heart fell.
Hannah hugged her and started sobbing.
“He forgave me,” she muttered through her tears. After closing and bolting the front door, Hannah clasped Evangeline’s hand and brought her into the living room.
Trevon was sitting on the sofa, his son nestled in his arms. Rising, he hugged her. “Isn’t he the most beautiful baby?”
Placing her hand on her chest, Evangeline exhaled a relieved breath. “Yes, he is.”
“I’m not going to be able to sleep for a week.” Trevon kissed his sleeping son’s forehead. “I’m sorry Hannah went through her pregnancy without me, but I’m grateful she had you.”
“I’m grateful she has you, too, now,” Evangeline said.
“My sister is my hero.” Hannah put her arm around Evangeline. “I was terrified to tell you, but she encouraged me. I’m sorry that I—”
“No more apologizing,” Trevon said. “I wasn’t there for you, but I will be going forward. I’ve missed you, Hannah.” He shifted his attention to Evangeline. “My mom isn’t well and I’ve been spending all of my free time with her.”