"I think... I think I was so in love with the idea of saving myself that I didn't realize I was letting myself drown. "

"And now?"

"And now you're my lifeboat."


It was only meant to be a favour. Only meant to be for a few weeks. 

Yet when Stryker Odello finds himself a Daddy for a scarred little boy, he finds the darkness that swamped his life cracking and splits of light shining through.

High functioning alcoholic at best, meeting the needs of the little proved more challenging than he first anticipated. 

Broken and distrustful, getting through to Jamie Sinclair was a hard feat.

Both damaged from the past, hurt and cautious, could they learn to let go and figure out how to love again? 

Or was life's only joy to direct a tragedy?

His Little Boy

/"Skyler,/" she said with a grin. /"This is Jamie./" She waved at Jamie, who had once again taken up his shy routine, burying his face into Stryker's side.

Skyler was young. He looked perhaps the same age as Stryker, but as he offered Jamie a dazzling smile, his face softened, becoming younger.

/"It's very nice to meet you, Jamie,/" he said sweetly. Jamie peeked up, glanced up at Stryker before hiding his face once more. /"I like your bear. Does he have a name?/"

Jamie risked a glance at him before looking down at the panda. He nodded but didn't offer the name up.

/"He's supposed to be in Gina's group but she's on holiday. Since you've only got Addy in yours right now, I was wonder if you would take him on until she gets back?/"

Chapter20