Ruthless Bastard (Dangerous Love 3)

Boone accept the bottle again and drank back a shot. “Just let this storm ride out and settle. Not all surprises are bad. And a baby can’t ever be a bad thing.”

Rhett’s gut churned as he set his gaze on the water. It was barely moving tonight, almost as if the world knew Rhett needed everything to be still. Before the military, he might’ve been able to give Kinsley everything she needed and more, but once he’d joined, his priorties changed, he changed, and he couldn’t ever go back. And he didn’t think he wanted to. Besides, he couldn’t even picture himself as a father. He worked, all the time. That was his life. Boone and Asher gave him a life outside that, but without them, he’d spend his time either at the station or at a bar to find himself a woman for the night. But Rhett couldn’t run from the blame that he’d caused all this. He turned to Boone. “I never meant to—”

Boone raised his hand, giving Rhett a hard look. “Passion is passion. Let’s not have that conversation. Kinsley is her own person. She’s been that way since she was two years old. I know you would have done your best to avoid her out of respect for me, but I also have no doubt in my mind that if Kinsley wished it, she would have made it near impossible for you to ignore her.” He gave a kind smile. “You’re as close as a brother to me, Rhett. I trust you.”

Rhett envied Boone’s solidness. He had it all together and then some. Rhett knew how to fuck, how to hunt, how to kill, and even how to protect. Beyond that, he was a ghost, floating through life, unsure exactly how to interact with his world. And that wasn’t fair to someone like Kinsley.

Again, Boone frowned at Rhett’s expression. “You don’t need to be perfect for her. You don’t need to be anything you’re not. She knows who you are. She won’t expect anything from you that you can’t give.”

God. All these people were so fucking good. Rhett never should have come back to Stoney Creek.

The flames danced around the logs in the firepit. The warm alcohol coursed through his veins, stealing the weight on his chest. With every ember that sparked up into the air, the reality of the situation sank in. He needed to take this one step at a time, until he managed to pull his way through it, like he’d done with every mission. And with that settled, the truth hit him. Hard. “I’m going to be a father,” Rhett finally said aloud.

Boone grinned. “Let’s hope it’s a girl. Another Rhett running around town is the very last thing anyone needs.”

Rhett laughed. A full belly laugh.

* * *

The sugary icing melted on Kinsley’s tongue as she dug into the cake. It was a banana cake, her absolute favorite. She sat on her queen-size bed with fluffy pillows at her back and vintage linen wrapped around her. Her room wasn’t anything special. She had a bed, an oak dresser beneath a window that was covered in long white curtains, and an old cedar blanket chest at the foot of the bed. But this room had been her home since her mother left them and her father moved them all into her grandparents’ house. That time in their lives had been confusing for everyone, but there was so much love in this house, it eased the absence of her mother.

She wondered what her grandmother would say about all this. The thought had her reaching into her bedside drawer and taking out the box there. She opened the lid, revealing her grandmother’s handmade cards. She passed over a birthday and a Christmas card and found the one she was looking for. The card had a drawing of a wineglass in the rain. She flipped the card open and brushed her fingers over her grandmother’s handwriting that read: L

ife isn’t fun if it isn’t messy, my darling. Some days are terrible, but those days are few and far between. Chin up. Tomorrow will be a brand-new day. Love you dearly, Grams.

Kinsley couldn’t remember what happened for her grandmother to write that card, but it seemed fitting for today. Her grandmother always seemed to know what to do and what to say, to make everything that seemed bad so much better. She’d been the mom when her mother left them. She’d kissed the scratches, read the stories at night when her dad had to work, and tucked her in tight.

She missed her grandparents and their love terribly. She shoved another bite of cake into her mouth, nearly purring at how delicious it was, and slowly, she began to feel better. Her twenty-ninth birthday…sucked.

A part of her lit up at the idea that she would have a baby before she turned thirty. She’d long ago given up on that idea, considering she’d fallen for Rhett, a man who had become entirely unavailable. The truth was, she wanted it all—the guy who adored her, the hot romance, and the happily-ever-after. And she wanted Rhett to be that guy.

A hopeless wish. Nonetheless, it was one she couldn’t ignore.

Right as she shoved another large bite of cake into her mouth, there was a knock on her closed bedroom door. She hurried to put the box of cards away then called out with a full mouth, “Come in.”

It came as no surprise when Remy and Peyton hurried inside and shut the door behind them.

“I gotta give it to you, Kins,” said Remy, plopping down at the end of the bed, “that was one spectacular way of breaking the news.”

“Well, had I known that everyone was waiting in my living room, I wouldn’t have said anything.” Kinsley finished her bite then added, “But he just pissed me off so much.”

“That was pretty clear. What did he do?” Peyton asked.

“Oh, well, you both know he’s been refusing to answer my calls, and tonight he told me that apparently he’s been avoiding me because he was trying to ensure nothing further happens between us. You know, because I just can’t control myself and keep my hands off him.”

Peyton’s mouth dropped open. “He seriously said that?”

“He seriously said that.” Kinsley stuck her fork back into the cake.

Remy rolled her eyes. “What an idiot.”

Kinsley shoved another huge bite into her mouth. “He’s Rhett. I shouldn’t have expected anything different. But I just got so…”

“Ragey?” Remy offered.

Kinsley nodded. “Exactly. His level of prick went to new heights tonight.”

She handed Peyton the fork. As Peyton stabbed a piece, she said, “Boone and your dad seemed okay about it all, though.”