Holiday Baby Scandal

Ryker had done neither of those things. He’d just gone straight to taking her against a wall and getting her pregnant like a loser.

One thing was for sure. He may not be father material, but he wasn’t about to ignore his responsibilities. If he had his way, he’d whisk Laney and their baby away and tuck them safely in his home in London...or he’d buy a damn private island. Anything to keep them safe.

He had the funds, that wasn’t the problem. No, the problem came in the form of a beautiful, stubborn, Irish goddess who would rather argue with him than listen to reason.

Ryker pulled into a parking spot right outside the window to his room. Always on the ground floor, always near an exit.

Fear overwhelmed him for the first time in years. Not for himself but for Laney and their unborn child.

When he got back to Boston, they were going to have to talk. He couldn’t outrun her any longer. He may not want a relationship with her, or anyone else for that matter, but he’d make damn sure she was taken care of...regardless of the cost to his own heart.

Most would say he didn’t have a heart. Ryker would have to agree. But Laney made him feel, and he could see the train wreck coming. Someone was going to get hurt.

* * *

When Laney had called her brother because her Christmas decorations were too heavy for her to lift, she hadn’t even realized the time of night. But here he was hauling box after box into her living room.

“Why do you have so much stuff to put up for only one month?” he growled as he sat the last box beside her sofa.

“So you can enjoy it when you come to visit.” Laney smiled and patted his cheek. “Just think, in about four weeks you can come back and take this all back up to my attic.”

“I’ll hire someone. Hell, just leave it up all year long. I won’t judge.”

Laney pulled the lid off one box and stared down at the contents. Christmas decorations were her crack. She loved everything about them. The lights, the glass ornaments that belonged to her mother, the garland she strung over her mantel and down her staircase. Everything was so magical, so perfect, and it made her remember how amazing her childhood had been. A house full of family and laughter, the parties they’d thrown in the O’Shea ballroom.

Tears pricked her eyes. She wanted that for her baby. She wanted her child to know the meaning of family gatherings. There was nothing more valuable to Laney than her family. She needed them now more than ever, but she had no idea how to tell them a little O’Shea was about to join their ranks.

She wasn’t afraid of how they’d react to the baby; her brothers would welcome another O’Shea. But how would they treat Ryker? He was such a staple in their family, and he was so much more to Braden and Mac than just an employee. He was...everything.

Laney sighed and blinked back tears.

“Hey, you okay?” Braden stood beside her, bending to look her in the eye. “Oh, damn. Please don’t cry. I’ll help take them down later, I swear.”

Why was it that the strongest of men couldn’t handle a little water?

“I’m fine,” she assured him, waving a hand. “It’s late and I’m tired. That’s all.”

His dark brows raised in disbelief. “And you opted to start decorating now?”

“I’ve got a lot on my mind.” Wasn’t that an understatement. “I’ll work on this until I think I can fall asleep.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, Braden straightened and pinned her with his eyes. “Is there a problem I need to know about?”

Laney picked up an ornament and began to peel away its bubble wrap. “Just worrying about my brothers. Nothing new.”

That wasn’t a total lie. She always worried about them. Their business kept them busy, traveling, sneaking around. Thankfully they had enough law enforcement in their back pocket to keep them out of the hot seat, but still. Laney always worried something would happen. There were worse fates than being arrested.

“We’re all fine.” Braden took the ornament from her and waited until she turned her attention toward him. “I’m asking about you. Are you still receiving threats? I’d hoped after Shane—”

“Stop worrying about me.”

She didn’t want to talk about her emails or Shane. Ryker had taken it upon himself to...handle the problem of Shane when he’d attempted to abduct Laney from in front of her home in Beacon Hill. Shane had been the bane of her family’s existence for years, but he’d crossed the line when he’d harassed Braden’s wife, Zara. When he’d tried to grab Laney, Ryker had had enough.

And Laney knew the way Ryker had managed the situation had been an issue between him and Braden. Since Braden had taken over the family business after their father passed, he’d been adamant about going legitimate, and that included how they took care of their enemies. Ryker insisted that ending their old practices so suddenly would make them look weak and invite retribution.

Laney was still unsure what happened to her ex, but she was fine about being kept in the dark regarding that.

“Why don’t you get back home to your bride?” Laney suggested. “It’s late. I’m just going to sit here and tear up a little over Mom’s things.”

Braden looked as if he wanted to say more. That intense stare could make even the most seasoned criminal break, but Laney wasn’t caving. She’d grown up around strong-willed alphas her entire life. Not much fazed her.

“If you have any issues, you call me or Ryker immediately.”

Laney nodded, though if she had an issue she’d deal with it herself. She wasn’t a helpless female.

Once she hugged her loving, overprotective brother good-night, she reset her alarm and glanced around at the mess. The tree sat completely naked in the corner near the fireplace where she always put it. She wasn’t even sure at this point if she had any working lights. She tried to buy new ones each year, but, well, this year had been a bit exceptional and her mind had been elsewhere.

Laney found the box with her garland and decided to work on the staircase. That would be simple enough and keep her mind occupied for a few minutes.

She’d barely started when her thoughts drifted to Ryker. There was always a level of fear anytime she knew he was working. But the not knowing was frustrating. She knew the lead he was working on, she’d supplied him with the intel, but she didn’t like how he insisted on going out alone. He always stayed just detached enough to be in the know but keep to himself. Damn frustrating man.

Laney carefully wrapped the banister, fluffing the greenery as she went. This time next year she’d be playing Santa and buying the baby’s first Christmas things—tacky bibs and ridiculous ornaments would be welcome here.

What would her world be like with a child? Laney smiled. As scared as she was to tell her brothers, as worried as she was about what this meant for her and Ryker, there was no way Laney would change one single thing about Miami. This baby would never question how much he or she was loved, and the first person to call this pregnancy a mistake would be throat punched.

The thought of Ryker holding a baby was nearly laughable. She’d never seen his softer side, though she knew he had one. He cared for her, even if he opted to show it in Neanderthal-type ways.

Those whispered words before he left kept playing through her mind. She wished he’d stayed so they could talk, but he was prone to run rather than discuss his feelings. Well, he couldn’t hide from her forever. Eventually they had to talk about the future and their baby.

Laney’s cell chimed from the living room. She hurried down the stairs and carefully maneuvered the minefield of boxes. She found her phone on the coffee table next to a wreath that was in desperate need of fluffing. Because of the time of night, she figured the text would be important.

And she was right.

Ryker’s name lit up her screen, and she swiped her phone to read the message.

Nothing new tonight. Anything come through on your end?

Work. It was always work with him. A sliver of disappointment speared through her as she replied.

Nothing. I’ll keep you posted.

Her thumb hovered over the Send button. She wanted to make this more personal. She wanted to say...something. But Ryker was all work. What would he say if she asked personal questions or called him out on what he’d confessed to her earlier? Could he talk about his feelings when he wasn’t looking her in the face? She understood that. She totally got how people were more apt to open up when they could hide behind an electronic device.

She hit Send but immediately started typing another message.

Earlier when you said you think about me, why were you angry about it?

Laney sent the message before she could change her mind. She wanted to know. She deserved to know, but the screen seemed to mock her as no reply came. She waited several minutes, but still nothing.

Fine. She wasn’t going to beg. Yes, she would give anything to get inside that head of his, but she didn’t want to have to beat the information out of him.

The second she laid her phone down, it chimed once again. Laney stared at the screen. She almost didn’t want to read the message, but she hadn’t been raised to give into any fear.

Because it isn’t right.

Laney resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she contemplated her reply. There was so much to be said, it was too much to text and should be said face-to-face.

But he wasn’t completely closing her out, so she went for it.

Whatever you feel can’t be helped. Why fight it?

Laney jumped when her phone rang. The cell bounced from her hand and onto the sofa, hit a box and landed on the floor. She snatched it up, thankful the screen wasn’t cracked, and she was a bit surprised to see Ryker’s name.

“I didn’t think you’d actually talk to me,” she answered.

“You wouldn’t leave me alone until I did.”

Laney smiled. Just that gruff tone had her nerves calming. Ryker could always make her feel safe, at ease. Even though they argued and got on each other’s nerves, he was her comfort zone. Banter was their normal. Normal was so vanilla. What she and Ryker had, well...that was more Rocky Road.

“Where are you now?” she asked, scooting a box over and taking a seat on her couch.

“Hotel.”

“Plenty of time to talk, then.”

Ryker’s heavy sigh resounded through the line. “I’m not in a chatty mood.”

“Have you ever been?”

“What do you think?”

Laney toed the disorderly wreath aside and propped her socked feet on the coffee table. “Maybe it’s time you stop fighting whatever you’re feeling and just go with it.”

The laugh that escaped him was void of any humor. “Life isn’t that easy.”

“It’s your life, isn’t it? Make it that easy.”

“You think I enjoy pushing my level of self-control?” he asked, his voice gravelly, as if fighting back anger. “I have a responsibility to your brothers. I have a responsibility to you.” He let out a deep sigh. “To our baby.”

Laney’s heart clenched. Closing her eyes, she dropped her head back on the cushion and focused on not botching this. Ryker was so much more to her than she could even put into words, but he may never comprehend that.

“You have a responsibility to yourself,” she said softly. “You owe my family nothing. I know you think you—”

“I owe your family everything. And I’ve betrayed them.”

His last words came out on a strangled breath. Laney stilled. Did he honestly believe that? Was he that torn up over the baby that he truly felt he’d gone against her brothers? Why did everything have to come back to his sense of loyalty to her family? They trusted him, they knew him better than anyone else and they might be angry, but they would still love him.

Tears pricked her eyes, and she cursed her stupid pregnancy hormones. Tears had no place here. She was fighting for what she wanted, what Ryker wanted. Hell, what they deserved.

“If that’s how you feel, then there’s nothing I can say. If you don’t want anyone to know this baby is yours, we don’t have to say anything. I can just say I’m not involved with the father and not tell my brothers any name at all.” Though it would kill her. Pain like nothing before speared through her at the thought of Ryker not being involved. “I can’t make you want—”

“That’s the whole problem,” he yelled. “I want, damn it. Too much. But I’ll never turn my back on you or this baby.”

Laney picked at the hem of her T-shirt and swallowed a lump of remorse. “Right. Responsibilities.”

“Laney—”

“It’s late. I’ll let you go.”

She ended the call, dropping the phone into her lap as she battled back tears. Why did he have to be so noble, yet so ignorant at the same time? Why did he feel that he had to sacrifice his own happiness in order to fulfill some past debt? Ryker had more than proved himself to this family.

At least he hadn’t agreed to being left out of the baby’s life. That would’ve gutted her. But he still only saw her as a responsibility, and Laney feared she’d never be more in his life.

Four

“We need to get inside that house.”

Braden nodded in agreement. “How soon can you get back? I don’t want them moving that trunk.”

Ryker leaned back on the leather sofa in Braden’s study. He’d left New York after staying an extra day longer than planned, and had driven straight to Braden’s house. He hadn’t called or texted Laney after their talk on the phone. He’d revealed too much, she’d gotten too close to the raw emotions...emotions he feared he couldn’t hide forever.

Damn it. He hadn’t even been aware of suppressing them, so how the hell did he continue to hide them?

“I can go as soon as I get the blueprint.”

Braden came to his feet. “Great. Laney is due here anytime.”

The blueprint was a pathetic excuse to see her again. He could’ve gotten it the other day when she offered, she could’ve also emailed it. But, he wanted to see her, touch her, consume her. But reality was cold and harsh. He’d had her once, and that would have to stay with him forever because he couldn’t let his guard down again.

He’d not only betrayed Braden and Mac by slashing right through their trust, but he’d let Laney down, as well. He should’ve had more control in Miami, should’ve walked her to her room and kept going once he knew she was safe. How could he have let his all-consuming need for her change their entire lives?

“Ryker?”

Jerking his attention back to Braden, Ryker stood. “Lost in thought. What were you saying?”

“Laney just pulled in.”

Ryker glanced to the monitors and saw Laney stepping from her car. While it had stopped snowing, the ground was blanketed in several inches. Braden’s drive and walk had been cleared though.

He tried not to watch as she pulled her coat tighter around her waist or how her long, dark hair blew in the breeze. He didn’t have to concentrate too hard to still feel that hair over his body. Ryker clenched his fists and ordered himself to get control before she stepped inside. This would be the first time the three of them would be together since he’d found out about the pregnancy. He couldn’t give anything away. He couldn’t—

On the screen, Laney slipped and went down. Ryker tore out of the study, down the hall and through the foyer. He whipped open the door, oblivious to the wind and the bitter air. Laney had a gloved hand on the bumper of her car and was pushing herself up.

“Stop.” Ryker slid his arms around her waist. “Lean into me.”

Laney pushed her hair away from her face and looked up at him. “I’m fine. Embarrassed, but fine.”

Ryker didn’t let her go as she came fully to her feet.

“Is she okay?”

Ryker glanced over his shoulder to Braden who was coming toward them. “I think so.”

Laney tried to push off Ryker, but winced. “Okay. Just give me a second.”

His hands flattened over her stomach as his heart sank. “Laney?”

Her eyes held his. “It’s my ankle. Just sore. I’m okay.”

How did she know? Could she be sure the baby was okay? Ryker didn’t know how hard she fell. Hell, he didn’t know anything about pregnancies or babies, but seeing her go down had nearly stopped his heart.

Scooping her up in his arms, and careful to avoid random ice patches, he stalked past Braden and into the house. Zara rushed in from the kitchen, her dark hair flying around her shoulders.

“What happened? Laney?”

“I’m okay.” Laney waved a hand. “Just slipped outside and my ankle is sore. Ryker is being overbearing as usual.”

Considering he’d been that way with her for years, this wasn’t out of the ordinary. He didn’t give a damn if it was. Seeing Laney go down like that had ripped something open inside him. In the brief seconds it took him to get outside, all he could think of was their baby. How the hell was he going to handle parenting?

“I’ll get some ice,” Zara told them.

Ryker gently laid Laney on the chaise in the formal living room. Her hand slid against the side of his neck as she let go. Even though she had gloves on, just that simple touch took him back to Miami when she’d—

No. That was then. A mistake. He couldn’t live in the past. He’d vowed to move on and that’s exactly what he had to do if he wanted to get their intimacy out of his life.

Unfortunately, Laney had imbedded herself into his soul...and he thought he’d sold that to the devil a long time ago.

But he felt her. When she looked at him, he swore he felt her. That delicate touch, the tender gaze. She was hurting now, and he needed to focus.

“I’ll call our doctor,” Ryker stated.

Laney immediately started to shake her head. “I just went down wrong. I’m fine. I didn’t fall hard.”

“Let’s get your boot off and look at your ankle.” Braden went to unzip her boot. “Can you move it at all?”

She wiggled her foot, and Ryker watched her face for any sign of discomfort. When her bright eyes flashed up to his, he had to tell himself not to look away. She could draw him in so easily...and she knew the power she possessed.

“It’s a little swollen,” Braden commented. “I’d say you’re fine. Just stay off it for a while.”

Laney smirked. Freakin’ smirked at him like a child who’d been playing parents against each other. Ryker narrowed his eyes. “I’m calling the doctor anyway just to be safe.”

Before he could slide his cell from his pocket, Laney laid a hand on his wrist. “I’m fine.” Her eyes bore into his, completely serious now. “I promise. I’d know if I needed to be seen.”

She didn’t look away, her grip tightened. Ryker blew out a breath he wasn’t aware he’d been holding. Of course she would get a doctor here if she thought she needed one. Laney loved this baby and wouldn’t make poor choices. Still, for his peace of mind, he’d feel better if she was seen.

“Relax,” she whispered, her eyes darting toward her brother.

Yeah. Relax.

Ryker took a step back and glanced down at her ankle. He needed to get a grip. Being cautious and protective was one thing, but acting like a hovering boyfriend was—

Seriously? How had that word even popped into his head? He wasn’t her damn boyfriend. This wasn’t junior high. But she was right. If he didn’t get a grip, Braden would wonder what was going on, and that wasn’t a topic he wanted to dive headfirst into right now.

“Here you go.” Zara came back in and placed an ice pack wrapped in a towel over Laney’s ankle. “Let’s put a pillow under you to keep it propped up.”

Ryker stayed back as Braden and Zara got Laney situated. He wanted to scoop her up and take her back to his house where he could take care of her. He wanted her tucked away behind his state-of-the-art security system where she’d be safe at all times. But none of that was possible. She’d never be at his house on personal terms. He’d never see her in his bed.

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