Holiday Baby Scandal

“Relax,” Braden told her. “Any minute he’ll walk through the door and get angry because you’re worrying.”

Yeah, that was so like Ryker. She wished for that scenario more than anything.

“I swear, when you two aren’t at each other’s throats, you’re both worrywarts.”

Laney couldn’t respond. She was too busy enjoying the massage and trying to wrap her mind around how she’d survive if something happened to Ryker.

Oh, she’d live and get along, but she’d be empty. Her child would be fatherless. She couldn’t imagine anything scarier. Ryker had been in her life for so long, she truly didn’t know how to exist without him.

When Braden’s cell chimed, Laney jerked her head up and turned to stare as he answered.

“Yeah?”

Her brother’s hard jaw, set mouth and grip on the phone weren’t helping her nerves, but that was just typical Braden. As head of the family now, he was all business, all the time. Mac, their more carefree brother, was still down in Miami with his fiancée, Jenna. Those two had danced around their attraction for years...which reminded Laney of another stubborn couple she knew.

“Where is he now?”

Laney jerked to her feet, hanging on each and every word, watching to see if Braden’s expression changed. Was Ryker okay? She wanted answers. Right. Now.

“I’ll be waiting.”

Braden pocketed his phone. “He’s fine,” he assured her. “But he was arrested. After some strings were pulled in the right direction, my contact with the Bureau managed to get him released. Ryker is being escorted by my acquaintance. I’m going to meet them just outside the city in a few hours.”

Laney gripped the desk for support. “I’m going with you.”

Braden put a hand on her arm. “You’re going home. He’s fine and it’s late.”

When she started to protest, Braden shook his head. “No, Laney. I don’t know what’s gotten into you. This is Ryker. You know he’s fine. He’ll be annoying you by morning, I’m sure.”

What had gotten into her? Well, the father of her baby had been arrested, though the charges wouldn’t stick because of their connections. He’d been set up in a trap that could’ve gone so much worse than what it had been.

How could she do this? How could she keep letting herself get all worked up over a man who kept pushing her away?

Finally Laney nodded. “Will you text me once you see him? Just to let me know he’s really okay?”

After she grabbed her purse and keys, Braden kissed her cheek. “I will. Now go home and get some sleep.”

Laney wouldn’t sleep until she knew for sure. And a text from Braden wasn’t good enough. She wanted to see with her own eyes.

As she let herself out of her childhood home in Beacon Hill, Laney knew just where to go.

Seven

The last thirty-six hours had been a bitch. Ryker wanted nothing more than to get into his home and crawl between the sheets of his king-size bed. So much could’ve gone wrong in New York, but he refused to dwell on that. All he could concentrate on was the fact that he’d failed. One more dead end.

No scrolls. He hadn’t even gotten to the mysterious damn trunk in the basement before he’d been caught off guard and cuffed.

Punching in his security code, Ryker let himself in. The sun was bright and promising a new day...and he was thankful for thick blinds. He hadn’t slept since he left Boston. He sure as hell hadn’t been able to relax when he’d been taken into custody. Not that he’d been worried. This wasn’t his first run-in with the law, but he didn’t have time for all this nonsense.

As soon as he stepped through his door and closed it behind his back, Ryker took in the sight before him. Without turning, he reached over his shoulder and reset the alarm. He wasn’t about to take his eyes off the sleeping beauty perfectly placed on his leather sofa.

Laney wasn’t quite lying down. She had her feet curled up to the side, her hands were tucked under her face, which rested on the arm of the couch. She looked so fragile, so small. But he knew she was neither. There was a vibrancy, a strength in her that terrified him. She feared nothing. He’d never found a woman who was willing to verbally spar with him like Laney. She wasn’t afraid to throw back anything he dished out. She was absolutely perfect.

And she was the most beautiful sight he’d seen in days.

Ryker released the grip on his bag until it thunked onto the hardwood floor. He shed his coat and hung it up. She still didn’t stir. Pregnancy was taking its toll on her. It wasn’t like his Laney to be tired all the time.

Ryker froze. His Laney? Not in this lifetime. She’d never be completely his. But he was on a slippery slope and wasn’t going to be able to hold on much longer. He’d told her before he was selfish, he’d proved that in Miami. But there was going to come a point when he wouldn’t be able to turn her away.