Page 120 of Twisted Bonds
"Thank you, Doctor…" Ryan's voice trails off.
"Troy. Doctor Alex Troy."
We both thank him again and wait for the nurse to leave before we say anything. I hate myself right now because I've just lost my father, but I'm so happy that we're pregnant. It won't matter who the father is; this child isours.
"What are you thinking about, baby?" I ask.
"I think you know what I'm thinking about, but my question is, would you be mad?"
I pull her into my chest and kiss her head. "Not at all, Ry—not at all."
Usually, funerals are dreary, but not my dad's; he made sure the sun shone for his pretty girl. Even in death, he is trying to make our girl happy. I only wish that he could keep her from being sad. This morning was thefirst time since leaving the hospital almost a week ago that I'd seen a trace of a smile, and that was only due to Liv and Xavier showing up.
I worried at first about whether seeing Xavier would do more harm than good, but Ryan insisted that she wanted to see him. She hoped it would help her heal a little faster. The poor guy was also worried about coming until Ryan got on the phone and threatened his life if he didn’t come with her best friend.
Once the police took our statements about that day, Erik Harrison was arrested and charged with aiding and abetting a criminal, an accessory, and criminal obstruction of justice since Sergio had broken out of jail. Because Erik is behind bars now, it's safe for Liv to come home. Whether she stays here or returns with Xavier, it's up to her; she will always be welcome here.
Dominik and Eva are also here, so between Eva, Liv, Laney and Heather, Ryan has yet to be left alone. I've tried to spend as much time as I can with her, but my mother and Cayley are also hurting, and I'm only one person. Grandpa has helped with Mom, but Cayley clings to me constantly, afraid that I will disappear from her, too.
We are all at the Manor where everybody came after the funeral, and as soon as I could break away from my little sister, I quickly left the room and came here to my father's office…well, I guess it's mine now. I'm just pouring myself a drink when I hear the door close quietly. I figure it's Ryan, so I smile slightly, thinking she wanted a few moments with me, something we haven't had all day.
I turn around and see a blonde woman that I haven't thought of in months. I give her my back as I look out the window and say, "I want to be alone, Ashlyn."
"I only wanted to give you my condolences, Beau." Her voice is soft and sounds sincere.
I turn to say thank you, and she's right up in my space; I hadn't even heard her move. I try to step to the side, but she takes hold of my arm, and I glare at her. "Let go and leave, now."
"You know, Ryan only draws trouble for all the men she sleeps with. First Brock, then those two brothers, now your dad, and the last brother. You're going to be next. Hell, maybe it's just the men in her life, period since her dad was the first to die."
I've never wanted to hit a woman as much as I want to hit this bitch. Grinding my teeth, I order her to get the fuck out, but all she does is pout.The clicking of heels on the floor draws my attention away from the blonde bitch to the new person who's entered. I'm so glad to see Ryan, but the look on her face has me second guessing, and I realize what this must look like.
"Baby, this isn't what you think…"
Ryan stops, standing before me, grabs my jaw, and kisses me. When she pulls away, she smiles sweetly and replies, "I know, babe." I know what that smile means as she turns to Ashlyn. "I'm going to give you until the count of three to get the fuck out of our house. Go home to your kid and leave my man alone."
Oh shit, she can't do what I think she's going to do!
I glance at her hands; sure enough, her right hand is already curling into a fist. Rushing forward, I pull her back and step in front of her to face my little boxer. "Think of the baby," I whisper so the bitch doesn't hear.
When Ryan's eyes widen, it's evident she had completely forgotten about the baby. She mouths the wordfuckand grimaces. "Fine." Looking around me, she gives Ashlyn the order once again, "Fucking leave, and don't ever talk to anybody I love ever again."
"Pfft, or what? I see no ring on…"
I hold Ryan's hand up, and even though it's still only the silver band, it still means the same thing. "As you were saying?" I raise my brow at Ashlyn, and she huffs.
"Oh, and you should know," Ryan says. "Beau and I have equal shares in Bellini Formal now. Doesn't your father still work for us? As a matter of fact, I think you also have a cousin who is interning there, don't you?"
We both know that Ryan would never hold Ashlyn's actions against them, but she doesn't, just like the last time I used this tactic on her in high school. Ashlyn huffs once more and storms out of the room. We watch her leave and then Ryan turns and comes to me as soon as I open my arms.
"How are you doing, baby?"
"Much better now that I'm in your arms."
"Just say it, and I will kick everyone out."
"No, Bain deserves to have his life celebrated."
"Yes, but you also know he wouldn't like seeing you in this state, especially when you're inthis state,"I tell her as I place my hand over her flat tummy.
