🗝️Detective Ryker Viltarin must uncover dark secrets before he loses not only his heart but also his life.🗝️
You're on your own, far from home
The wind is blowing in the top of the pines
A gloomy sky where the sun never shines
Deep...
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Liam's gaze slid to his mother and flew back to him like an uncertain bird. He still pinched his lips together, but his stern, sullen expression disappeared. Instead, a mixture of curiosity and caution fought for victory over childish emotions in his soul's mirrors.
"Really?" came the whisper with a frighteningly grown-up-sounding mixture of suspicion and caution. "Promise?«
The small hand suddenly reached out toward him like a silent invitation. It was clenched into a loose fist, but only the little finger was raised. Liam's gaze, not full of childish mischief but serious, stared at him.
Surprised, Ryker hesitated briefly. He stared at the hand, at the little finger. His hand trembled on his thigh before he could call himself to order. Did he really have to promise the boy so fervently that he wouldn't hurt him or his mother? 'Dylan, if I get my hands on you...' he thought bitterly before a wry smile spread across his features.
"Promise," he heard his own voice as he raised his hand and intertwined his pinky with the boy's. "Little finger vow," he announced solemnly. At the same time, his conscience stabbed at him with fierce blades. It called him a liar - and rightly so. The moment would soon come when he would have to shatter this oath like a porcelain vase.
It was quiet for a moment, and the idyll of the forest seemed to allow her to breathe a sigh of relief. A bird chirped its song, and Liam moistened his lips.
"My foot hurts," he murmured softly and hoarsely.
"Oh, my darling..." Eve took a step toward the boy and crouched down. "Come on, show us your foot." She gently stroked his lap and placed her hand on his. He was dirty from head to toe, with leaves stuck in his hair and scratches everywhere.
The boy opened his mouth briefly but closed it again and seemed to think again before the arms around his legs finally loosened hesitantly. Liam swallowed visibly harder, then hesitantly held his right foot to Ray.
Carefully, Ray lifted it into his lap. He kept one hand under him while he carefully felt the ankle with the other, pressing lightly in various places.
"Does it hurt much, sweetheart?" the motherly voice hummed beside them.
