Holiday Baby Scandal

And he sure as hell didn’t want Laney defending him. That wasn’t how this was going to work. He may not know where the hell they were headed, but he wasn’t going to hide behind a pregnant woman.

“I’m the father.”

He ignored Laney’s gasp and concentrated on Braden...who slowly turned his eyes to Ryker.

“You’re lying,” he stated in a low, threatening tone. “You’d never do that to me.”

Laney reached forward, putting her hand on Braden’s arm. “Don’t. Not here.”

Braden shrugged her off. “I will kill you myself.”

Ryker clenched his fists. “You can try.”

“No bloodshed.” Laney stepped between them, her back to Ryker. “Now is not the time to discuss this.”

Zara tugged on Braden’s arm. “She’s right. You need to step back, and we can all talk after the party.”

Braden’s hard eyes never wavered from Ryker’s. This was his brother and he’d betrayed him. Ryker didn’t blame Braden for wanting to kill him. Whatever Braden, and Mac, threw his way, Ryker knew he deserved every bit of it. But the worst part, the scariest part, was the possibility that he’d no longer be part of the family.

Braden shifted his attention to Laney. “What the hell were you thinking?”

“My personal life is none of your business,” she spat.

“What is going on?” Mac moved to the group, Jenna right on his heels. “You all are causing a scene.”

“Laney’s pregnant and Ryker is the father.” Braden delivered the blow to Mac in a disgusted tone, but never took his eyes from his sister. “She was just about to explain what the hell she was thinking.”

“I wasn’t about to explain anything to anyone,” Laney said, lowering her voice. “I don’t owe any of you a defense. And I sure as hell am not getting into this here.”

When she turned away, Braden reached out and snagged her arm. Ryker saw red.

“Get your hand off her,” he gritted out. “Or I won’t care what type of scene we cause.”

Braden’s anger was palpable. Ryker would gladly take the brunt of his rage, but he refused to have Laney shoulder the blame.

“This isn’t the place,” Mac stated. Ryker glanced to him, but was met with equally angry eyes. “But we are going to talk when this party is over.”

Ryker nodded in agreement. Laney jerked free of Braden’s grip and gracefully walked away. She wasn’t going to cause any more of a scene than necessary, and he applauded her for her poise and determination. Ryker, on the other hand, was ready to throw his fist through a wall.

“Come on, Braden. You have a party to host.” Zara wrapped her arm through his. “Getting angry isn’t going to change a thing.”

Braden remained still for several moments bef

ore being led away. Ryker turned to Mac and Jenna.

“You want to say something now?”

Mac’s jaw clenched. “Later. I’ll have plenty to say later.”

“What your sister and I do is none of your concern.”

Mac’s sneer indicated otherwise. “You got my sister pregnant. I’d say every bit of this is our business, brother.”

The parting shot did the damage Mac had intended. He walked away, leaving Ryker feeling even more like a bastard than he already did. He’d never thought he was good enough for Laney—and her brothers had just hit that point home.

There was no certainty how things were going to go down, but Ryker vowed to keep Laney safe. He’d told her he wouldn’t let her get hurt, and he damn well meant it.

Oh, he wasn’t concerned her brothers would physically harm her. No way in hell would they do that. But words could cause more damage than any actions, and tensions were running high.