Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88463 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88463 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“This sucks ass,” Aiden says as I help him lie down on his bed. “I have to go out to the bunkhouse and pack up my stuff.”
“That’ll be done for you,” Ry replies. “Just rest for today, buddy. Take a nap.”
“I think the medicine is making me sleepy,” he says. “But it’s hard to get comfortable.”
“I’ll adjust your pillows when needed,” I assure him and then kiss his head again, breathing him in. His hair is always so soft against my lips. “Nap for a while, and then I’ll bring up some food.”
“Okay.”
He’s asleep before we leave the room.
“Jesus, I’m tired,” I say as Ry and I walk down to the living room and curl up on the couch.
“If we never relive that, it’ll be too soon.” His lips are in my hair, brushing back and forth. “I have news about the other stuff, but if you’re too tired to talk about it, we can do it later.”
“No, I want to know. It’s killing me.” I lean back so I can see his face. “What’s going on?”
“It was all Andy,” he says and brushes a lock of my hair behind my ear. “He’s been arrested this morning on a bunch of charges.”
“And he didn’t send those pictures to anyone else?”
“As far as we know, no. He just wanted to get money out of me.”
I sigh and lean against him again. “I’m so sorry, Ry. You trusted him.”
“Yeah, well, I’m just glad it’s over. But I’m thinking about going to Seattle to check on the penthouse and talk with the attorneys and PR people in person.”
Panic shoots through me.
Jesus, I don’t want him to leave. I know I can do this alone. I’ve taken care of Aiden during illnesses and injuries by myself since he was little, and if I had to, I could do it now too. And I hate to ask for help.
I hate feeling like a burden to anyone. It was drilled into me as a kid, by the one woman who was supposed to love and protect me, that I was just that: a burden.
But I have Ryker now. And I really don’t want him to go to Seattle.
“No. Please don’t go, Ry.”
He scowls down at me in concern. “Hey, I won’t be gone long. Just a day or two, so I can check in with the authorities, my penthouse—”
“We need you here.” I don’t even care that I’m being needy as fuck and that I sound a little unhinged. I straddle his lap and wrap my arms around his neck, almost clinging to him. “I never ask you for anything, Ry, but I’m asking for this. You have the police, the team, and even Gid helping with the mess in Seattle, but Aiden and I need you here at the ranch. I know I’m asking a lot. I know. But if you leave right now, I’ll fall apart, and that’s your fault.”
God, I’m so close to tears. The adrenaline from dealing with Aiden has worn off, and now my emotions are all over the place, and I do not want him to leave me.
He lifts an eyebrow and runs his hand up and down my back. “Why is it my fault?”
“Because you made me love you and depend on you, and he’s hurt, Ry. Under literally any other circumstances, I would tell you to have a good trip. I would even offer to go with you, but Aiden—”
I feel a tear slip down my cheek, and he smooths it away with his thumb.
“I have done it by myself for all these years, and I can’t anymore. Not now that I know how fucking good it feels to do it with you, and if you go away for a few days, I might lose my mind.”
“Okay, take a breath. Deep breath for me, sweetheart.”
I do as he asks, and he breathes with me. I’m on the verge of a panic attack. His hands ghost up and down my back, and he’s soothing me with that deep, calm voice.
“That’s it. You’re doing great, baby. It’s been a shitty day, but Aiden is safe upstairs, and he’s fine.”
The tears keep coming. I held it together until Ryker said he wants to go to Seattle. And it would make sense for him to go. If I were in his shoes, I’d want to as well.
But I can’t deal with it right now.
“I hate sounding weak like this.”
“No. You don’t sound weak at all. I’m glad you’re asking for what you need.” He wraps his arms around me and hugs me to him, and I bury my face in his neck, clinging. “Always tell me what you need, baby. And if this is what you need, I’ll stay home. You’re right, everyone’s handling everything for me, and I can ask Mac to get eyes on the penthouse.”