Speak To Me

(Grant)

I took a long drag of the cigarette I held between my fingers, my back leaning against the concrete wall behind me as I watched the apartment complex across the road carefully.

Okay, I know I'm not usually a smoker..I gave it up after my dad died..it was a habit I used to do when I was associated in our old family buisness, and tonight..it felt like one of those nights. I haven't done a stakeout in years...but this one seemed even more important than any others I've had in the past. Once Gabriella caught me up on everything..I knew exactly what I needed to do. So I made a few calls and now here I am, waiting for this psychotic bitch to leave the house.

It's been two days since Gabriella called that night and my guys were able to get a pretty good grasp on Eva Monroes schedule. She leaves every day at 7 p.m. and camps out a few buildings away from Jamie and Gabriella's apartment complex..just like I am doing to hers. Who knows how long the bitch has been watching them like this..

Now I have my people keeping a close watch on her at all times, so if she were to try anything, we would catch it.

There has been no sign of a kid whatsoever..all we have on record is the birth certificate which her ex husband signed as the father and the ticket she purchased for him to come to the U.S.

Other than that..he hasn't gone to any schools or hospitals..so there are no other records to show he exists.

My guys talked with the Apartment manager and she says she hasn't seen a kid either..but this is the type of place where they don't ask too many questions and mind their own buisness.

I watched Eva walk out of doors with a big smile on her face as she quickly hopped into a car waiting out front for her.

That's when I made my move..

I threw my cigarette on the ground, stepping on it quickly before pushing off the wall and striding over to the building casually.

Lucky for me, someone opened the door just as I was walking up and was able to slip through. Then I opted to take the stairs and climbed up to the third floor. I needed to handle this carefully..first things first..I wanted to make sure there was even a child to begin with..

And honestly, Gabriella was right..if there is a child in that apartment, who knows what type of shit that woman could be putting him through.

I exited the stairwell and walked out into the hallway, seeing a few apartment doors coming up as I quickly found the one I needed to be at.

I glanced around, making sure no one was coming as I knocked on the door and straightened my back. I wasn't sure who might answer..if anyone..and that's when I heard something behind the door.

"M-Maria? Is..is that you?" A small voice called out, making me stiffen..

Then I thought about what I could do to get him to open the door for me without freaking the kid out.

"Hey, I'm actually a friend of your mom, she just told me to stop by and check on you. Maria couldn't make it tonight." Wow..I felt like a damn creep for saying that..a part of me hoped the kid just told me to fuck off..because if he is this naive, that worries me.

I looked around once again, hoping this Maria chick wasn't on the way now when I suddenly heard the door unlock, making my heart drop.

I glanced down, seeing a small boy with brown hair and fair skin looking down at his shoes shyly. He had to be only four or five I swear..why the fuck was this kid here alone?

"Are..are you my Daddy?"

What the hell?! "Uhhh.."

I blinked my eyes rapidly, looking at this kid as his big blue-grey eyes glanced up, meeting mine. I could see some type of hope lighting up inside of them as I cleared my throat and took a step forward.

"No, I'm not your dad. But why don't I come in and you can tell me what you know about him." I said, making the little boy nod enthusiastically before stepping back and letting me in.

Okay..I just need to get the damn hair sample..and then I can get out of here and Jamie can do the test. All I have to do is pluck a couple of hairs out..should be easy.

I glanced towards the boys light brown hair as he walked towards the kitchen.

"Would you like something to drink?" The little boy asked, surprising me.

"I'm good.." I said, seeing the kid shrug before going to the dishwasher and opening it up. He quickly grabbed a glass and went to open the fridge. That's when I felt my jaw clench..

All the bitch had in there was wine and condiments..I watched as the kid reached for a pitcher of filtered water and went to pour himself a glass.

"I haven't seen you around before. Are you one of my mom..Eva's boyfriends?" He asked, making me burst into laughter as the mere notion made me fill with humor.

"Uh..no..we just know each other from mutual friends. What's your name by the way?" I asked cooly, trying not to make any of this weird for the kid.

"My name is Sammy." He responded smoothly. I was pretty surprised at how well spoken the boy was. He seemed so young. But then again..I don't really hang around kids much, so how should I know? He quickly put the water back into the fridge before walking over to the table and sat down.

"Does your mom leave you alone often?" I asked, making him shrug while taking a sip.

"What about this Maria girl..who is she?"

"The neighbor.." He said, and then I saw his big eyes lock onto mine.

"You're not my mom's friend are you?" He asked me, making me freeze as I tried to think of what to say next.

"No, I'm not." I confessed, seeing the little boy nod once before playing with the glass in front of him.

"Are you a police officer?" He asked again, making me fight a smile. He couldn't be more wrong.

"No."

"Are you a bad man?"

"Do I seem like a bad man?" I said curiously, wanting to know what he thinks..he doesn't seem scared..that was kind of surprising.

"No..Do..do you know who my daddy is?" Oh god..this poor kid.

"I'm sorry..I don't..but..I do want to help you find out who he is."

"You do?!" He rushed out as excitment lit up his face.

"Yep..all I need is a little bit of your hair.."

"My hair?" He asked while scrunching up his face adorably, making me smile.

"But Eva won't be happy you are here." He whispered.

"Why do you call your mom Eva? Does she ask you to do that?" It was weird as hell..like the few times he almost called her mom and let it slip, he seemed scared about the mistake.

"She..she doesn't really like kids..she said that once I see daddy though and convince him to stay with us...that she will though. Then she won't have to get rid of me." He said, making my stomach turn..that fucking bitch.

I examined Sammy a little more carefully..the clothes he was wearing seemed to have holes in it and had to be two sizes too small..and the bruises on his arms..

That shit didn't sit well with me..I knew the signs of abuse when I saw it..hell..I lived with that shit..and the fact that Eva makes him stay here alone..and he has to call her by her first name. She is no fucking mother..and that pissed me off.

So maybe what I did next wasn't exactly the smartest idea..in fact..it was pretty damn stupid..but I wasn't going to let this kid stay here alone..especially with no food in the fridge and that sad look in his eyes.

"Hey..how about we go get some ice cream." I said, making the kid look taken aback.

"Really? We..we can go outside?" He rushed out and I went to stand.

"Even better than that. You are going to stay with me for a little Sammy..then we can find out all about your dad okay? Would you like that?" I asked, making him sit there for a few seconds before he suddenly jumped up from his seat and ran off, surprising me. Shit..maybe I scared him off.

Before I could go after him, he ran right back to me..carrying a small blue blanket and pillow in his hands as he stared up at me excitedly.

"Okay, I'm ready to go."

Yeah..Grayson might just have a heart attack when he hears about this one..but there is no way in hell I'm leaving the kid in that witch's hands. Besides..I have a feeling she won't report him missing..considering the state she has left the poor kid in. "Great..so, do you like chocolate or strawberry?"