Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 103356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
She sucked in a breath. “You’d do that?”
“You work for me now, Lilac. I take care of my own.”
“But you barely know me. And I’m guessing Tanner is a good customer so isn’t he one of your own?”
“Nope. All of my staff are like my family. I protect them. So, you will let me know, yeah?”
“Yes, thanks, Devon.”
He grunted. “For what it’s worth, the Malones are all good men. Just fucking crazy. Particularly, the younger ones. Get some sleep, honey.”
“Thanks. Night.”
Why was she spending so much time in his car?
And why was Devon driving her home?
Tanner stood in the shadows of a tree as he watched them. He’d parked his truck a few blocks back when he’d seen Devon’s car stop and jogged the rest of the way, not wanting them to know he was watching. But he was starting to get pissed off.
Had Devon warned him off because he wanted Lilac for himself?
He couldn’t see what they were doing. Why had they stopped outside Linc’s house?
Stepping forward as Devon’s car sped off, Tanner followed her around the back of Linc’s house to his guest house. He’d been to Linc’s a few times. He was a good guy. But Tanner didn’t like that Lilac was staying in his guest house.
He found a spot to stand in, ignoring how cold it was getting. It was after one in the morning, and she was just getting home.
He didn’t like that either.
Fuck. What was wrong with him? He’d he become some sort of stalker. He needed to go home. She wasn’t running. Hell, it seemed like she didn’t even have a vehicle.
None of this was adding up.
Maybe he should pay Linc a visit.
Or perhaps you should just leave since this isn’t any of your business.
Tanner turned to leave when an unexpected noise had him stilling.
Was that a baby crying? He looked over at the guest house. A soft light turned on in the living area and he saw her walk in front of a window. It had to be slightly open because he heard that cry again coming from the bundle of blankets she held against her chest.
Was that a fucking baby?
His stomach dropped as he did the math. No. No, there was no way it could be his. But that meant that she had to have been pregnant when she was with him.
Why the fuck hadn’t she told him? How hadn’t he noticed? Then again, she might not have been showing.
He just . . . he didn’t understand this.
Was the baby the reason she’d run? Had she been worried that he’d notice? Or was there some other reason?
Then the crying stopped and the light turned off.
Wait. Who had been looking after the baby while she was out? Had she left it alone?
Fuck. He had too many questions and not enough answers.
But he was going to get them.
15
“A baby?” Raid repeated. “What the fuck?”
“I know.” Tanner leaned an elbow on the table in Raid and Hannah’s kitchen.
He’d stayed here last night, not wanting to drive back to the Ranch. Besides, the bunk house was kind of quiet and lonely now that all of his brothers had moved out. It was just him. Sure, Alec and Mia were close by in the big house. And Flick and West weren’t far away. Neither were the others, really. Only Raid and Hannah had moved into Haven.
But he’d always been closest to Raid. And Alec.
“Fuck, it can’t be yours, right?” Raid asked.
“No, but she must have been pregnant when I met her.”
“She didn’t look it.”
“But neither did Flick until she was further along, right? I just can’t believe I didn’t know . . . that she didn’t tell me.” He felt sick. “And what is she doing working nights and leaving the baby home?”
“She must have had someone watching the baby. She’s really in Linc’s guest house? How does he know her?”
“I dunno. But I’m going to find out.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Raid asked.
He frowned. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because she fucking ghosted you, man. You were upset for ages about it.”
“I wasn’t upset.”
“You were. You cried like a baby each night. Moped around like a dog without a bone.”
“I did not, you asshole!” Tanner grabbed Raid in a headlock right as Hannah walked in.
She shook her head at them. “Do not break any of my furniture.”
“No, ma’am!” Tanner winked at her.
“Or my man,” she added.
“He can’t break me, I’ll break him.” Raid elbowed Tanner. Hard.
“Ouch, fucker,” he muttered as he let him go.
Raid moved to Hannah and took her face in his hands, kissing her deeply.
When he drew back, Hannah was staring up at him with a dreamy look on her face.
Tanner wanted that.
Fuck. What? No, he didn’t, right?
He didn’t need a relationship.
No? Then why the hell are you back to being obsessed with Lilac?