“Do I need any help from the knocked-up baby cousin of my president? No, thank you,” he teases, stepping inside and placing the bags on the kitchen counter.
“News travels fast, then,” I grumble, smiling when I see he brought some carrots, celery, and dip.
“Talon told only me,” Ranger explains, helping to unload the food. “Probably ’cause I was being an asshole asking why you can’t go to the damn store yourself.”
“I could’ve,” I say, opening the fridge to put the juice inside it. “But Talon said he’d sort it out.”
He mutters something unintelligible under his breath, then looks at the TV. “Supernatural, fuck yeah.”
He walks to the couch and makes himself comfortable. I peel and cut some carrots, put them on a plate with the dip, and bring it to the table.
“Thanks,” he says, scooping a big dollop onto his piece. I take in his features. Dark, thick hair tied at his nape. The beard he had is now gone, but I think he looks good either way, and he’s tall. I mean really tall. He must be at least six foot five. He’s just one giant winner-of-the-gene-pool biker. Oh, and he’s also very intelligent, just like Talon. Three degrees under his belt, and I won’t be surprised if he goes back for more. I remember he once said to me that knowledge is power, and he likes to keep his mind occupied.
“Did Talon tell you to babysit me too?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“Nah,” he says, chewing thoughtfully. “Talon normally doesn’t let me be around you for too long, but now you’re knocked up and Wind Dragons’ property, so I don’t think he’ll care if we hang out.”
“Property? Nice,” I say in a dry tone. “And I wonder why you’re still single, Ranger?”
“I’m single because no woman has caught my eye yet.”
Talon once told me that Ranger is one of the most complicated men he’s ever met. He’s laid-back but can be intensely competitive. Usually he never takes anything personally, and nothing can offend him, but sometimes he loses his shit over the most random things, and he can struggle with reading people’s emotions. Like if you’re sad, he probably won’t pick up on that unless you tell him. He’s an interesting guy.
“I know a girl—” I start, but he cuts me off with a look.
“One of the crazy Wind Dragon women? No, thank you, I’m going to have to pass.”
The look on his face is priceless, almost like he’d rather be doing anything else.
“Hey now,” I say, getting a little defensive. “Those women are amazing. And I’m kind of one of them.”
Well, I was.
It hits me then that I might not be hanging with the women again, and it really sucks. I’ll miss them all, especially Faye. I’ll miss Rake and Tracker, and our gun practices; I’ll miss Sin and his disapproving glares every time Colt does something bad; I’ll miss Lana—asking her all about her books and trying to figure out how her amazing mind works. I’ll miss Anna and her self-defense lessons. Fuck. I’ll miss everyone and everything about being a part of the Wind Dragon family. Most of all, I’ll miss Vinnie.
I fell in love with him so quickly, so deeply, and to have to push him away now kills me like nothing else. I just don’t see a positive outcome for this situation. There’s no quick fix. He can’t change who he is and what he wants in life, and if he tries, he’ll probably end up resenting me and the baby. It’s a disaster waiting to happen, but damn, am I going to miss him.
“Bailey’s friend Tia isn’t one of the Wind Dragon women,” I add, pushing away those thoughts. “She’s just guilty by association. Bailey has told me stories and she sounds hilarious.” She also mentioned that Tia thinks Talon is hot.
“Tia?” Ranger asks, looking amused. He throws his head back and laughs. “No, she definitely isn’t a Wind Dragon chick, she’s now sole property of the Wild Men.”
My brow furrows in confusion. “First, women aren’t property, asshole, and second, what?”
“You didn’t know about her and Talon?”
I open my mouth, then close it. Then, a big smile spreads on my face. “About time he settled down.”
I can’t wait to hear that story.
“I told Talon he should’ve let you hang around us more. Maybe we could’ve kept a good one for ourselves,” he says, lifting his feet up on the coffee table.
I roll my eyes, resting my chin on my hand. “I feel like the Wild Men live a more bachelor lifestyle. I’ve never even met any of their old ladies. To be honest, I’ve only ever seen a few women there and I’m pretty sure they were groupies.”
Maybe things will change now that Tia and Talon are together.
“Groupies? That’s a nice name for them.”
“I’m a nice person.”
“Exactly,” he says, studying me. “You are, and Talon didn’t tell me why you’re here and not with your man, but obviously something is going on. I know you’re a Wind Dragon, but you’ll always have a place here with us too.”
“I thought it didn’t work like that,” I tease, my eyes gentling as the kind words pour from his mouth.
“Special circumstances,” he says, grinning. “You’re Talon’s family, which means you’re ours. It’s simple. Plus, you apparently have good taste in TV shows.”
I pick up a carrot and dip it. “And you apparently have good taste in snacks and dips.”
He chuckles and glances over at me before returning to the TV. “You’ll be fine, Shayla. Whatever is it, whatever this asshole has done, you will be fine.”
“How do you know?” I ask him, resting my hand on my flat stomach. It won’t be flat for much longer.
“Because you’re strong,” he says simply, like it’s a fact.
“You don’t know me well enough to make that statement,” I say, arching my brow. “You probably only know what Talon has told you.”
“I know,” he states.
I look into his beautiful, captivating eyes and see that he believes what he’s saying. “How long can you hang out?”
“I have nothing better to do today, if that’s what you’re asking. Why? Is that a hint to leave or to stay?”
“Well, I wouldn’t be opposed to some company,” I say, shrugging. “It keeps my mind off things, and like you, I have nothing better to do today.”
“Supernatural marathon is it,” he says, stretching his arms above his head. “Let me guess, you’re a Dean fan.”
“Naturally,” I say, smirking.
He stands up and says, “Want some ice cream?”
I nod.
Yeah, Ranger isn’t a bad guy at all.
* * *
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he calls through the door. “I’d love to hold your hair back, but the sounds you’re making are making me want to gag too.”
I stand up from the toilet, feeling like utter shit, and Ranger is not helping. “I’m fine!”
I wash my face, brush my teeth again, and then sit on the bathtub, just in case I feel like throwing up again. After a few minutes of being okay, I leave the bathroom and sit back down in my chair.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I say, leaning my head back. “If this is what it’s going to be like for the next few months, my life is going to be hell.”
And it was only my first time getting morning sickness. It wasn’t even morning anymore, so that title is obviously false advertising.
“Eat some crackers or toast,” he advises, typing on his phone. “Let me search what you need to do to handle the nausea.”
He’s researching for me? Now that is cute.
“Imagine going through all this while having another child to look after, or having to work or study as well. It would seriously suck.”
I have a new respect for Faye and other mothers all over the world. This stuff is no walk in the park, although I know it’s going to be worth it, and I know that it’s going to make me a stronger person.
“Whatever you do,” he murmurs, cringing. “Do not look up childbirth.”
Grea
t, just great.
“Why are you looking at that? Getting a little far ahead there.”
“I just wanted to see what I’d have to do in case in eight months from now you went into labor at the clubhouse or something,” he says, eyes still on his phone. “But all I’ll be doing is calling the motherfucking ambulance.”
“Ranger!” I growl. “You aren’t helping right now.”
“They should show a childbirth video in high schools. Best contraception ever,” he continues, making me want to strangle him.
“You’re getting off course now,” I say, yawning.
“Take a nap if you’re tired,” he says, putting his phone away. “I’ll stay here until Talon gets back. I don’t think you should be alone right now.”
I struggle to get comfortable in the single seat, until suddenly I’m lifted into Ranger’s arms. He sits down on the larger couch, and places me next to him, pointing to his thigh. “Best pillow in the house.”
I smile sleepily and lay my head on his thigh.
I’m out in an instant.
FORTY-TWO
Vinnie
I’M a little drunk when Talon calls me back. He says that Shay is safe, and maybe give her a day to herself before I try to talk to her. I thank him and hang up, throwing my phone against the wall. Arrow sits next to me and eyes me drinking straight from the bottle but doesn’t say anything. He’s been here before. There was a time no one even bothered to pour him anything into a glass.
“So Shay’s pregnant,” he says, always one to get straight to the point. “And you’re here drinking because you never wanted kids and don’t know what the fuck to do now?”
“That sums it up, pretty much,” I say, twirling the amber liquid in the bottle, then taking another mouthful. I look down at Colt, who is sitting at my feet asleep, probably missing Shay just as much as I am. “I don’t know how to be a father. I’m not even sure that I like children, and now I’m going to have one.”
“I’ve seen you with Clover, Cara, and Rhett, so I don’t think any of that is true,” he murmurs, studying me a little too intensely. “You’re amazing with them. Faye always lets you babysit—do you think she’d let you do that if you’re not good with her daughter? She’s a psycho when it comes to Clover. So why don’t you think about that? It’s all in your head, Vinnie. You’ve convinced yourself that you don’t want kids and that you’ll be a shit father, and that any kid will be better off without you, but it’s all bullshit. Everyone else sees it from a whole fuckin’ different perspective, because we know how good a man you are. I think you need to get off your ass, put the bottle down, and go and fight for your family.”
“It’s not as simple as that.”
“Nothing ever is,” he replies, standing up and resting his hand on my shoulder. “At least nothing ever worth it is. You know where to find me if you need me.”
He leaves the game room, and I’m once again alone to feel sorry for myself. Is he right though? Am I being my own worst enemy, is it all in my head? Can I be a father? I rest my forehead on the table, close my eyes, and picture Shay, her stomach big and round, her cheeks flushed. Who will look after her? Who will protect her? Who will keep her off the roads so it’s safe for everyone?
And who will help her raise that baby, if not me? Another man? I think fuckin’ not. Fuck, what am I doing? This baby is my responsibility too—Shay shouldn’t be alone. I’ve been acting like a total dick, just like Faye said.
Shay is mine, for better or for worse, and I’m hers, so she’s just going to have to deal with me. Now I just have to make her forgive me, make her come back home where she belongs. I realize one thing, I can break the cycle and try to become a father to this child, make sure he or she knows that they are loved, or I can be like my own father, the one I’ve never met or known. The one who decided to give up on me before he even knew me, before he gave me a chance. I don’t want to be that guy. I don’t want Shay to be a single mother because I wasn’t man enough to step up. I don’t want this baby to wonder why, for even a second, his father didn’t want him.
I need to go to her.
I stand up but then stumble, the alcohol hitting me.
I sit back down.
I’ll be going to get what’s mine, but first, I need to sober my ass up.
* * *
I wake up to water being thrown on my face.
“What the fuck,” I growl, wiping my eyes and opening them to look up into Faye’s, Anna’s, and Lana’s angry gazes.
Fuck.
“This is an intervention,” Faye states, then looks to me and says, “I always wanted to give someone else one, and this is my chance.”
I remember when Faye was pregnant with Clover, the men held an intervention over her OCD.
“I don’t need a fuckin’ intervention. I’m not breaking into people’s rooms to clean them, like you were.”
Anna and Lana both snicker at that.
“This isn’t about me, this is about you, and the fact that you’re asleep on the game room floor, like a drunken bum, while Shay has spent the entire day with Ranger, who, if you didn’t know, is one of the hottest men any of us have ever seen.”
Wait, what?
I sit up and narrow my eyes. “How do you know this?”
“We spoke to her,” Faye says, wrinkling her nose at me. “You need to take a shower, because you smell like alcohol, and go talk to your woman. She’s beautiful, brave, and smart, and I’m sure Ranger has noticed all these things. Do you really want your child to be raised by the Wild Men?”
I see red as that image comes to me.
“Exactly,” Anna adds, offering me her hand to get up. “If you don’t make things right, you’ll regret it, Vinnie. And Shay needs you right now. You’re meant to be a team, but you’ve bailed and she’s carrying the heavy load.”
“Literally,” Lana says, making the women giggle in amusement together.
“Where is she?” I ask them, taking Anna’s hand and getting off the floor. My head hurts, and I’m pretty sure I’m still a little drunk, but I’ve waited too long as it is. I need to find Shay and tell her that I love her, and that I’m sorry. Yeah—I’m fuckin’ sorry for being so selfish.
“I’m not sure—Talon has put her somewhere. A house, it sounds like. She’s not at their clubhouse,” Faye says, typing on her phone. “I’ll message Shay and ask her if maybe we can come over to see her too. She said she’s missing Colt and wants him, so I’m sure if you bring her him, she’d be in a much better mood than if you walked in without him.”
She was missing Colt, but no mention of missing me?
It hits me just how badly I’ve fucked up, how much Shay must be hurting right now because of me. I’ve been such a dick that she actually left me, without even talking about it first, because she knew exactly how I’d react. And I did react that way; she’d been right. If she’d told me herself, who knew what shit I’d have said in the moment, shit I wouldn’t have been able to take back.
“I’m going to take a shower,” I say, looking at the three women. “Try to find out where she is, if not I’ll call Talon and tell him I’ll show up at his fuckin’ clubhouse if he doesn’t tell me her location.”
“What are you going to do?” Faye asks, looking wary. “You can’t show up there alone, are you crazy? I know Talon wouldn’t hurt you, but what about the others?”
“Take Arrow with you,” Anna says, pulling out her phone. “You can’t go alone, Vinnie. Otherwise we’ll follow you there. I think we’d be great backup, and we always miss out on the action.”
“I’m going to bring my new gun,” Faye says, rubbing her hands together.
“You’re pregnant,” Lana reminds her. “You aren’t going anywhere.”
“None of you are going anywhere,” I yell, losing my temper. “I’m going alone, and that’s final. I’m not even taking Colt. If she wants him, she can come back here where she belongs to get him.”
I leave them standing there staring at me and
jump in the shower. I get dressed quickly, then call Talon and tell him I’m coming. He gives me the address, but says that if Shay wants me to go, I have to. I agree, even though I won’t be giving up that easily, and get on my bike. The ride takes me twenty minutes, and I think about what I’m going to say the whole way. It isn’t something easy to talk about—the things that ran through my mind when I found out she’s pregnant aren’t things she needs to know or things that I’ll ever say out loud.
No, I won’t be telling her those thoughts, just the ones after.
I just hope that she will forgive me.
FORTY-THREE
Shayla
THE familiar rumble of a bike has me looking at Talon with narrowed eyes.
“Told you he’d come,” he says, standing and walking to the front door. He opens it and we both watch as Vinnie walks up the pathway. “Do you want me to stay or leave the two of you alone?”
“Alone, if you don’t mind,” I tell my cousin. The things that are going to come out definitely don’t need to be heard by a third party.
“Call me if you need me. I’ll wait close by,” he says, kissing my temple.
“Thanks, Talon,” I tell him, truly grateful to have him in my life. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
His green eyes soften, then harden as they land on Vinnie. I step away from the door and walk into the living room, and Vinnie follows me. I hear Talon close the front door as he leaves. Here we are, the moment I knew would come, but one that I’ve feared the outcome. He came for me, yes, but he sure did take his time. He must have been conflicted. Or maybe he knew what he wanted, he just didn’t know how to tell me because it’s bad news. Or maybe he’s just angry at me for leaving. I don’t know, but I’m about to find out.
“How are you?” he asks, gesturing for me to sit down.
I do so and want to tell him we don’t need to bother with the small talk, instead reply with a polite, “Fine, thank you.”
“You left,” he says, voice catching. “Without a word. You acted like you’d be there that night, then just bailed.”
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