Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
I eased my arms beneath her and slowly lifted her from the couch. She moaned in protest, her eyes slitting open before she rested her head on my shoulder, falling back asleep.
So fucking adorable.
Axel held the front door open for me, and he gave me a single nod before he closed it behind me, locking the building up. He then opened my car door and leaned my seat back so that I could place Ally in the passenger seat.
“Has she been to see a doctor yet for her pregnancy?” Axel asked me out of the blue once I had her deposited into the car, buckled, and had shut the car door.
I grimaced and shook my head. “No—not recently,” I admitted. “With everything that’s happened, it’s just kind of escaped my mind.”
He pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll shoot you the phone number for the doctor Meghan uses. She’s fantastic. Ally will like her.” He stepped back from me. “Go on and get her home. Caiden is texting me wondering when the fuck I’m sending her home.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “Your brother can be overbearing.”
I barked out a laugh. “He’s just worried about her,” I reminded him. “We’ll come out later tonight and come pick up her car.”
He shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. If you can’t get it until tomorrow, it’s fine. Drive safe.”
I slid into the driver’s seat of my car and smoothly backed out of the parking lot, heading home.
Caiden was waiting on the porch when I pulled into the driveway. Without a word, he walked down the steps and opened the passenger door. I slid out of the car, watching as he gently lifted Ally into his arms.
“Caiden?” she mumbled.
“I’m here, darlin’,” he whispered.
“Sorry I didn’t come home.” She yawned. “I went to see Axel.”
He brushed his lips to her forehead. “I know. He called me.” He nodded once at me. “How was work, bro?” he asked as we walked into the house.
“Exhausting,” I admitted. I dropped onto the couch, smiling at Ally when Caiden set her down beside me. “It was a bit of a rougher day than usual.” I looked up at him. “What’s for dinner?”
He walked into the kitchen without answering. I scowled at his back. Ally giggled before she leaned up to press her lips to mine. “Stop being such a sourpuss,” she whispered as she rested her head on my shoulder.
I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “You need to eat so you can take your medicine,” I told her. “Come on—up. You can sleep after you’ve taken your meds.”
She pouted. I gently gripped her chin and turned her head to face me. “I know why you’re sleeping.” She frowned, her eyes flickering over my face, worry and fear residing in the depths of her pretty eyes. “We’ll talk about it later, okay? But just know that it’s okay to be conflicted.”
“I’m scared,” she blurted. Tears suddenly glistened in her eyes. I pulled her close to me, holding her tightly. “Christian, what if he turns his back on me again?”
“Then he’s a cold, selfish bastard that doesn’t deserve your time and your energy, baby girl,” I told her honestly. “But when you go see him with Axel, Caiden and I will be with you as well. We’ll make sure it’s not easy for him to turn your back on you again if he decides to.”
She sniffled. “Am I stupid for wanting him to love me again?” she asked, her voice breaking.
I brushed my lips to the top of her head. “No, baby, you’re not,” I assured her. “What it does show is how sweet and loving you are.” I pressed my hand over her chest. “You have a heart of gold, beautiful. The fact that you can still love someone so much after how badly they’ve hurt you just shows how amazing you are. There’s nothing wrong with being the good one, Ally.”
Caiden set a plate of food on the table. “Darlin’,” he called, drawing her teary eyes to his, “if another man makes you cry, I’ll fucking hospitalize him,” he promised.
She laughed and swiped at her cheeks. “He’s my dad, Caiden.”
He shrugged. “And I don’t give a fuck, baby.” I snorted. Classic Caiden. “If he hurts you, he has me to answer to.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. “Now, eat so you can take your medicine,” he ordered.
“You’re so bossy,” she griped.
I watched with a smirk on my face as he lightly wrapped his hand around her throat. Her eyes sparked with that fire—just for a split second, but it was there. “You like it, baby.” He pressed his lips to hers. “Eat.”
I brushed my lips to her temple, loving the way her cheeks burned with a blush at what he had just done. “Eat, beautiful,” I coaxed.