by M. J. Perry
“I hope it’s nothing to do with another woman,” I said as I got up and walked to the cupboard. I pulled out two cups and poured the rest of the coffee into them.
“Eric would never cheat baby,” Ryder said as he followed me. “He isn’t that kind of man.”
“Julian didn’t seem the type and look what happened.”
“Julian is a selfish man who put himself before his family. I wouldn’t have you hurt for the world but if Julian hadn’t done what he did, I wouldn’t have you and Katie in my life.”
“The hurt and pain were worth it as I have you as my prize.” I grinned.
“I’m a pretty great prize.”
“You’re a sweet one.”
He groaned. “Lexi,” he whispered as he pulled me into his arms.
I looked up at him with a smile. “Yes?”
“I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
“Will you marry me?”
“What?” I whispered.
“Life is too short to put things off. I want you wearing my ring and bearing my name.”
“Oh, wow…” I trailed off. All of my doubts from before seemed silly now. “Yes,” I whispered.
“Yes?” he whispered back. “You’ll marry me?”
“Yes, I’ll marry you,” I confirmed with a giggle.
He picked me up suddenly and swung me around making me squeal in surprise. I gripped his shoulders and looked down into his smiling eyes.
Katie ran in with Jen and Eric not far behind.
“We’re getting married,” Ryder announced as he let my feet touch the ground.
Katie jumped up and down in glee.
“Oh, guys I’m so happy for you,” Jen said as she gave me an awkward hug due to Ryder not letting go of me.
Eric clapped him on the back and then bent to kiss my cheek. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” I said still feeling a little shell-shocked.
“I’m going to have two daddies,” Katie said excitedly. “I can’t wait to tell all my friends.”
“Let’s not tell anyone just yet,” I ordered softly. Ryder frowned before understanding dawned. Julian could not find out until tonight was over. I wasn’t sure how he was going to take it and I didn’t want his mind on anything else except his mission otherwise he could get hurt.
“Ok, deal but we are celebrating though. I can cook.” Jen offered.
“Takeaway it is then,” Eric said and for once Jen didn’t argue.
“That settles it. I’ll open a bottle of wine unless Ryder has champagne somewhere?” I asked him.
“I don’t, sorry.”
“Wine it is then.”
“Sounds good, I’ll get the glasses,” Jen said.
“I have to pop upstairs. I’ll be back in a second.” Ryder said as he walked out the room. I watched his bum, not in the least bit embarrassed. He was gorgeous, and he was going to be my husband. That felt so surreal. I was just pouring the wine into glasses when he came back in. Walking straight to me he went down on one knee, he had a box in his hand and my hand flew to my mouth when he opened it. “I’d meant to do this properly the first time,” He explained. “But I got lost in the moment. Lexi, will you marry me?”
I held out my hand for him to slip the ring on. “Yes.” I whispered. The ring was beautiful; the square cut diamond sparkled in the light.
Jen whistled, “Holy crap Lexi that is one gorgeous ring.”
“It really is.” I agreed.
Ryder got up and took my hand in his. He kissed my palm then turned my hand over and kissed my knuckle and the ring. I stared into his eyes and saw so much that words couldn’t express.
“I’m a lucky girl,” I whispered to him as I kissed his jaw.
“No baby, I’m the lucky one. You’re finally mine. The wait was definitely worth it.”
Beautiful words, I would remember them forever.
“Time to celebrate,” Jen said excitedly.
“Yes, lets.” We all grabbed a glass of wine from the side and I handed Katie her glass of squash.
“To happiness,” I said raising my glass.
“And happily ever after,” Jen added. Her eyes met mine, and we shared a smile.
Chapter Twelve
Lexi
I woke up to Ryder whispering my name. I smiled until I heard the urgency in his voice. Sitting up abruptly I turned to face him. One look at his expression and I wanted to cry.
“What’s happened?” I asked in dread.
“Julian got himself stabbed. Baby, he’s ok, the knife missed his vital organs. He’s in the hospital being cared for.”
“This is my fault.” I groaned as I jumped out of bed. I started to search for my clothes.
“Lexi, it isn’t your fault at all. Why would you think that?” He tried to pull me into his arms, but I backed away.
“I put him in the predicament of having to risk himself to save me.”
“No, he did that.”
“If Jacobson hadn’t seen me, he wouldn’t have found out about Julian’s debt and brought it.”
“Your logic is flawed baby. I take it from your rushing around you want to go and see Julian?”
“Yes.”
“I warn you, David said he is being a smug bastard.”
“What, why?”
“Julian got Jacobson to go to the location alone just like we planned. When he got there, he realised he’d been played and went to attack the woman pretending to be you.”
I gasped. “Was she hurt?”
Ryder shook his head with a grin. “She knows how to defend herself, but she didn’t have to. Julian was waiting in the shadows and he attacked Jacobson before he could take a step towards her.”
“He’s become quite the G.I. Joe hasn’t he?”
“He’s a man who was running on adrenaline and anger who got lucky. He thought he’d subdued Jacobson and was sat waiting for David to storm the place when Jacobson suddenly launched at him with a knife.”
“Why hadn’t Julian checked him for weapons? Even I would have thought to do that.”
“He got cocky. Luckily, he saw the glint of the knife and deflected it from his heart.”
“Oh god, he could have died.”
“He could have. He knows he was lucky.”
“I get that he feels lucky, but why is he acting smug?”
“They arrested Jacobson last night. With what Julian got him to confess while wearing a wire and the attempted murder charge he won’t be out for a long time. David has an informant who will talk now Jacobson is in prison.”
I sat down in relief. “It’s over now?”
“Oh yes, baby it’s all over. You know what this means don’t you?”
“What?”
“It means we can plan our wedding.”
I smiled. “I’ve already started. I need to see Julian so I can see he’s Ok for myself. Has someone notified Tammy?”
“According to David she’s at the hospital with him and in David’s words, she is reaming him a new asshole.”
“Nothing less than he deserves. At least she’s there. It would be nice for them to work things out. Does he still owe money to Jacobson?”
“Jacobson sent confirmation that the debt has been written off.”
“That’s a relief. No one else will come knocking for it.”
“No one at all, baby. It really is over.” He pulled me to my feet, and I went into his arms with a sigh. “I’ll take you to see Julian once you’re dressed.”
“Thank you, Ryder. I just really need to see him for myself.”
“I understand.”
“You’re amazing.”
“I know.” He chuckled.
I punched him lightly in the stomach. “I mean it. All through this crap you’ve been there, you’ve looked after me and Katie and kept us safe. Not many people would do that. You’ve kept me sane.”
“It’s my job. If anything happened to you, my life would be over too. There is no one in t
he world for me, but you.”
“You say the sweetest things.” I sniffed.
“I speak the truth. I will never lie to you.”
“I would never lie to you either. Well, sometimes I might lie about where I’ve stashed the muffins just so someone else can have one. Especially, Eric, you should share with him.”
“I suppose I’d better get used to sharing with him. I don’t think he’s going back home.”
“He’s sticking around?”
“He’s put his house on the market.”
“Does Jen know?”
“I’m not sure. He’s really trying to get her to trust him again.”
“It could take a while but selling his house is a huge deal. That should help his case.”
“Yes, it should. It’s their business though.”
“Yeah, yeah, we’ve already been over that.”
“I’m just checking we still agree.”
“We still agree.” I pulled away. “Let’s get dressed. I’m not sure it’s a good idea to see Tammy after the last time I saw her, but I want to see Julian.”
“She won’t say anything to you.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Julian levelled with her and told her what has been going on and that you haven’t been taking money from him. She feels bad about how she treated you.”
“I should thank her for taking him away from me.”
“I don’t think we’ll go that far. She caused you a lot of pain.”
“She did, but you were totally worth it.”
Ryder kissed my head; linking our hands together briefly he tugged me closer. “You’re so goofy, baby. I love you.”
“I love you too. Now, let me go, I need to brush my teeth and you need to put on some clothes because you’re half-naked body is too much of a distraction.”
“I can say the same about yours.”
“I’ll get dressed too. I’m not going to tell Katie anything at all about her father being hurt.”
“That’s a good idea, she is already so worried.”
“I can’t believe it’s all over.”
“I can. I told you once before that bad shit happens to good people; it’s how they pull themselves out of it that matters. You did it with grace when I wanted to do it with blood.”
I rolled my eyes. “I remember you also said I was a good person who was too soft.”
“And that is still true except now you have me to make sure no one takes advantage of your trusting nature.
“My big, strong, sweet man,” I grinned.
****
“Are you ready?” Ryder asked me as we walked to the door of the private room Julian was in.
“Yes, I’m ready.” I knocked briskly, and the door was opened by a smiling Tammy. I blinked in amazement. I hadn’t been sure her lips could actually smile.
“Hi, Lexi, Ryder, please come in.”
I locked eyes with Ryder and saw his amusement.
“Hi,” I said.
“Julian just woke up, but he really wants to see you.”
“Ok,” I said.
She moved aside to let us enter. I was still frowning when my eyes met Julian’s. He was lying on the white sheets. He looked tired but his eyes were blazing. I’d never seen him look so alive.
“Lexi, Ryder, did David tell you what happened?”
“Yes,” I said quietly seeing what David had said about Julian being smug was true.
“I was amazing. I saved that woman’s life.”
“She didn’t need saving according to her,” Ryder said.
“She did, but even if she could have taken Jacobson out, I wanted to be the one to do it. That bastard deserved it.” He sat up wincing at the movement and Tammy rushed over to him.
“Be careful Julian, you’ll pull your stitches.” She warned as she puffed his pillows for him and helped him lay back against them. It felt like I was in some kind of alternate world. I have never once seen her be anything other than a bitch so it was a huge shock to the system to see this nice side of her.
Julian coughed, and I gave him my attention. “I told Tammy that everything I’d ever said about you was a lie.”
“Over the years he’s told me lots of things, and nothing was good.”
“I figured that out myself.”
“I’m sorry Lexi. I don’t really know why I said the things I did except I was worried that if Tammy realised you were the good person you are she wouldn’t have had an affair with me.”
Lovely, “What did you tell her?” I asked curiously.
Julian didn’t answer, and I looked to Tammy instead. She sighed. “He told me you were obsessed with sex and when he wasn’t in the mood, you would use Katie as a bargaining chip.”
“What the fuck!” I snapped in shock.
“Shit Lexi. I’m sorry.” Julian said quietly.
“Julian you are one lying piece of shit. You made her say fuck.” Ryder exclaimed. “She never says that word.”
“It gets worse; you may as well hear it all.” I glared at Julian and then turned to his wife. She had more nuts that he did.
“He told me after he’d left you that you’d ring him up every day begging him to come home and when he refused you started taking strange men home with you.”
“That explains your words in the supermarket.”
Tammy bit her lip. “I’m sorry I really am, but after Julian had told me his lies about you with men and then about you bleeding him dry, I was really angry. I hated you.”
“I understand that and I would feel the same. I’m glad you never took any of your ill feelings towards me out on Katie.”
“That kid is amazing. She’s so bright and clever.” Tammy grinned suddenly. “She clearly gets that from you because her father is an idiot.”
Julian chuckled. “I can’t deny it, Lexi is pretty amazing. I know that Ryder wants to rip my head off right now but Lexi being who she is has asked him not to.”
Ryder nodded his anger clear. He knew I was hurt by Julian’s actions and he wanted to make Julian hurt for it, but he knew I didn’t want that. At least Julian had owned up to everything now.
“I haven’t told Katie anything. When you’re well enough you and Tammy are welcome to visit her.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate you letting me into your home after everything that’s happened.” Tammy whispered, and I saw the glint of tears in her eyes. “I love Katie like she’s my own daughter. I don’t know if you’re aware but I can’t have children.”
My heart broke for her. “I’m sorry.”
She shrugged. “I’ve come to terms with it, but having Katie in my life is a blessing.”
“She is that.” I looked at Julian. “We can talk about Katie staying at yours when you’re back on your feet. Forgive me, but right now I still don’t trust you completely.”
He looked sad. Tammy clutched his hand. “I understand. I really fucked up, but my debts are clear now and Tammy knows everything. From now on I’ll keep to the straight and narrow.”
“I hope you will. Do you need to borrow money?”
Julian shook his head. Tammy gasped. “You would lend us money after what he did?”
“Of course, I really am a soft touch aren’t I?”
“No, you just have a very big heart.”
“We don’t need to borrow money, the only debt I owed was to Jacobson, and that doesn’t exist anymore,” Julian said somewhat stiltedly, and I hid my grin. I’d hit a nerve. Good, the dick deserved it.
“Lexi, you’ve seen him, he’s clearly still an asshole lets go now,” Ryder said as he gripped my hand in his.
I nodded.
“Phone when you’re feeling better and I will tell Katie to expect you.”
“I’ll do that, thank you.”
“Good. Feel better soon you lying shit head.” Julian looked shocked, and I grinned.
“Tammy, it was nice to meet the real you,” I said still grinning.
She laughed delight
edly. “It was nice to meet the real you, too.”
“Now there are no lies between us, maybe we can become friends for Katie’s sake.”
“I’d like that.”
“I would too. Bye, bye.” I called as Ryder practically dragged me out of the door. He didn’t say a word as we made our way downstairs and out the main doors to the car. He opened my door and waited for me to climb in before he closed the door softly. Oh dear, he was furious, and I wasn’t sure why. There were a lot of reasons he could be angry. He didn’t look at me as he got in and buckled his belt. I buckled mine puzzled by his behaviour as he started the car and drove out of the space and on to the main road. He still hadn’t said a word, hadn’t looked at me and his knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel so tightly.
“Ryder.”
He didn’t answer.
“Ryder,” I tried again.
Not even a blink. “Ok, stop this car. I’d rather walk than deal with you right now.”
He glanced at me, glanced in his mirrors then he turned into a dirt road and shut off the engine. He unbuckled his seatbelt, and the turned to face me. I unbuckled mine and twisted so my back was against the door.
“What is wrong with you?”
“I’m so fucking angry at Julian. He sat there hiding behind his wife letting her tell you all the sordid lies he’d told.”
I sighed. “You wouldn’t understand why he did that. In your world you protect me, but Julian is weak. He hides behind Tammy for the same reason I hide behind you.”
“And what’s that reason?”
“You are strong. Tammy is just as strong-minded. She takes no shit. Julian needs that, it’s one of the reasons we didn’t work out. I want and need someone to take care of me, someone who I can rely on. He wants someone who will make all the decisions and be in control.”
“You mean like a dominant?”
“More like an Alpha. In our relationship, you’re definitely the Alpha and I love that. Julian is an Omega. He’s weak he needs direction and someone to stand up for him.”
“Doesn’t the Omega get knocked around in the wolf packs?”
I shrugged. “Sometimes, but they usually leave and go it alone. Don’t get any ideas; Tammy will kill you if you lay a hand on him.”
“Do you know, I think she might.”
“Do you feel better now?”
“I’m pissed off Lexi. I can’t believe you offered him a loan after the shit storm he brought down on us.”
