An Inner Darkness Book 5 Bay City paranormal

sorry, but I can’t let the boys stay here. You know how Janine feels about you having them when it’s not your time.”
    “I understand that,” Bo answered, his words clipped and careful. “And I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t feel it was necessary.”
    Lee eyed Bo with transparent caution. “I know. And if I thought there was compelling evidence to suggest the kids really were in danger, I’d agree with you. But you said yourself you don’t know if the portal really could open. I’m sorry, but no. I’m going to have to take the boys home with me.” An angry flush climbed up Bo’s neck and crept into his cheeks. Sam let go of Bo’s hand and slipped an arm around his shoulders instead. Bo losing his temper wouldn’t help their case any.
    “It’s okay, Sam.” Shaking off Sam’s arm, Bo took a step toward Lee. “I know you’re afraid of what Janine is going to say, or do. Believe me, I’m not looking forward to 66
www.samhainpublishing.com
An Inner Darkness
    facing her either. But I’m afraid I’m going to have to put my foot down. The boys are staying here, at least for tonight, and we’ll talk over the situation tomorrow.” Lee gaped. “You can’t do that.”
    “I can, and I am.”
“We have custody.”
Sam winced. Of all the things Lee could’ve said, that was probably the worst.
    “ Janine has custody,” Bo growled, dark eyes snapping with fury. “You do not . Right now, my children are in danger, and I will do whatever it takes to protect them.” Brushing past Lee, Bo flung open the door. “Go home. Bring Janine to the office tomorrow and we’ll talk.”
    Lee backed out the door, his expression sorrowful. “I wish you wouldn’t do this, Bo.”
“I wish I didn’t have to.” Bo shut the door on Lee’s stunned expression and covered his face with his hands. “Shit.”
    “You can say that again.” Sam closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around Bo from behind. “For what it’s worth, I think you did the right thing.”

    “I know. I had no choice, really.” Turning in Sam’s embrace, Bo slipped his arms around Sam’s waist and rested his head in the curve of Sam’s neck. “Janine’s going to be furious.”
    “Yes, she is.” Sam rubbed his cheek against Bo’s silky hair.
“But at least the boys are safe, for now.”
“Yeah. And that’s the most important thing.”
    Silence fell. The crackle of alien laser guns drifted from Sean and Adrian’s bedroom, followed by an angry wail from Sean and a victorious whoop from Adrian. Sam smiled.
    “She could press charges for this,” Bo whispered, his breath warm against Sam’s throat. “She could keep me from ever seeing them again.” Sam’s stomach knotted. “I don’t think even Janine could be that awful. As horrible as she is to us most of the time, she does love Sean and Adrian. She knows how important you are to them. She wouldn’t take you away from them.” www.samhainpublishing.com 67
    Ally Blue
    “I’d like to think you’re right. But she’d be within her legal rights to have me arrested.” Bo lifted his head and stared at Sam with dread in his eyes. “Lee can’t have gotten far. Maybe we should go after him and let him take the boys back with him.” Cupping Bo’s face in his hands, Sam held Bo’s gaze with a calm he didn’t feel.
    “Whatever you want to do, Bo, I’m with you. Okay?” Bo stood there gnawing his bottom lip, clutching Sam’s ribs in a death grip. Sam kept quiet and waited. If Adrian truly had psychokinetic powers—and Sam’s gut said he did—the possibility of him accidentally opening an interdimensional portal at Lee and Janine’s house was one they couldn’t ignore. Which was why they’d decided to try and keep the boys with them for the time being. However, nothing had happened so far which would suggest anything other than standard poltergeist-type activity unwittingly caused by a troubled preteen with emerging psychokinetic abilities. If Bo thought keeping the kids out of that house wasn’t worth the risk of losing his parental rights, Sam saw no reason to try to change his mind.
    After a couple of indecisive minutes, Bo shook his head. “No. Their safety is more important. We’ll keep them here.”
“Okay.” Sam caressed Bo’s cheeks with his thumbs. “It’ll be all right, Bo. You’ll see.”
    Bo didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled Sam’s body flush against his own. His heartbeat galloped against Sam’s chest. Sliding both arms snug