Laddin didn’t say anything but turned his head away as if overcome with emotion, and damn it, the guy deserved an Oscar for the performance. Even though he knew it wasn’t real, the sight cut at Bruce. He didn’t like being at odds with Laddin, even when he really wasn’t. And wow, wasn’t that a measure of how far he’d fallen for the guy?
But they had a job to do, so he lifted his chin and headed for the door.
“Cut your losses, right?” Josh challenged before they’d gone two steps. “Do what you’re told and damn the consequences because that’s your style.”
Was that what Josh thought of him? God, that was so wrong, it hurt to hear. It was even worse to see the rigid way Josh held himself and the angry clench of his jaw. Bruce had done everything he could to reconnect with Josh. He’d done everything to protect his little brother. And he’d never, ever cut and run when they were kids. He’d stuck it out, endured his father’s “lessons” in how to fight, and he’d never complained about the bruises, cuts, or even the broken ribs that he blamed on football.
He’d never bailed in his entire life, but he had to make this look real. So even though it took every ounce of willpower he had, he forced himself to nod.
“Yes. That’s my style.”
Josh grunted. “Knew it.” Then he backed away from door. “Go on, then. Let’s go bail on your kid.”
Bruce bristled. He wasn’t bailing on his child. He was risking everything to save him. The only thing that stopped him from screaming that at his stupid brother was the fact that Laddin had taken his elbow and squeezed hard. “It’ll be okay,” he whispered.
The hell it would. He’d started this whole journey to reconnect with Josh. But now they were further apart than ever. Josh still thought he was an asshole. And a runaway father too!
“Come on,” Laddin said loudly. “Let’s get this over with.”
Chapter 27
TO FAIRYLAND WE GO!
THEY MADE it to the oak tree by dawn. The silent procession stood in the middle of a fallow field, waiting. It was weird to go there and not see the cheese fairies, but then again, Bruce reminded himself, the pixies were here. Wrapped in his arms and smelling like day-old cheese.
“Wait!” whispered Laddin as he abruptly gripped Bruce’s elbow. “What about the Earth? Aren’t they supposed to do stuff on Earth? Are we about to kill—?”
“Don’t worry,” the fairy baby said in Erin’s voice. “There are lots of us, and Earth will make more. She always does!”
“Shhh,” Bruce said as he jostled the baby as if he were trying to settle it down. He glanced at Laddin, who nodded and blew out a relieved sigh. Bruce did too, because he hadn’t even thought of the ramifications to Earth if all the pixies suddenly disappeared. He didn’t understand exactly what the fairies did, but he figured they had to have a purpose. He was glad that he wasn’t screwing things up again, even as he tried to fix them.
Bruce and Laddin waited under the tree while the others formed a semicircle behind them in a silent show of support. Bruce couldn’t feel more grateful, especially when the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon and Bitterroot appeared in a dramatic flash.
He didn’t look like a salad fairy this time either. No, he was man-size and wearing that pompous prince outfit covered in butterflies that clung to the velvet. Somehow that matched the arrogant cut to his jaw and his upraised nose as he sniffed.
“What is that smell?”
Shit. Shit. Shit. This was not going to work.
Laddin sniffed loudly. “I think the baby needs a diaper change.”
“What have you been feeding the child?” Bitterroot gasped.
“Baby formula,” Bruce said. “But, you know, it’s from Wisconsin, so it’s heavy on the dairy.”
The prince curled his lip. “It is good that I take the child, then. Even I know that you must be careful feeding dairy to a baby.” He held out his hand. “Give it to me.”
Laddin stiffened. “It’s not an it! His name is Aaron!”
“No, it’s not,” Bitterroot countered. “My lady will give him an appropriate name.”
“Aaron is—”
Bruce interrupted before Laddin could go too far in his “defending the baby” part. “Swear to me, Bitterroot. Swear that this child will be cherished, that he’ll be honored and protected. Swear it, Bitterroot, or—”
“There is no or,” Bitterroot interrupted. “I have sworn it already.”
Laddin shook his head. “Not good enough.”
Bitterroot sighed as he looked at them. “I swear it. This child will be honored and protected by myself and all my minions within Fairyland.”
Bitterroot had minions? Lucky him. Meanwhile, a dirt-colored moth slipped out from beneath Bitterroot’s hair and flew off into the morning air. The prince stared at it in confusion, clearly thinking something. Was it a tell? Were they about to be exposed?
Bruce rushed ahead, forcing his words out too loudly because he was trying to distract the prince. “How do I know you won’t come back for something more? How do I know this is done for good?”
“Because that was our bargain. Your power for the child.” Bitterroot held out his hands. “You are stalling. I told you this would be no easier in the morning.”
“Swear it,” Bruce said. “Swear this ends here.”
Laddin spoke up. “And that you’ll never do this to anyone else. This baby is the last child you grab.”
“It is not a grab!” Bitterroot said, clearly offended. “It was a bargain—”
“Either way,” Bruce countered.
Bitterroot blew out an annoyed breath. “Fine. The child will be cherished because he is more than enough to save my kingdom. I swear that I will barter for no other human child once I have this one and that our bargain will be complete. I also swear that I will bother you no more. You will not see me again unless you call my name. Now you will hand him over
