"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

Out of the three of his brothers, Porter played the part of loyal little brother so well. He had always taken Stryker's side.

Swallowing hard, Stryker tried to keep Sam from seeing how much that revelation had hurt him.

/"I'm done, Sammy,/" he said. /"We're done. This can't be fixed. Leave me alone./"

/"I won't sign any papers until you give me my fair due,/" Sam said. He didn't look in the least bit phased. He had propped himself back in the chair, smiling pleasantly when the waiter returned with his coffee.

/"You've had months to try and fight for us,/" Stryker snarled, feeling his temper rise. /"You're only doing this because of Jamie./"

/"Oh./" Sammy's face twisted into a sneer. /"So that's its name?/"

Stiffening, Stryker gave a sharp nod. /"Yes, that's HIS name. It's funny, he comes into the picture and so do you./"

Chapter25