Page 7 of Ace's Legacy
"I know exactly where my loyalties lie," I say, pushing past him toward the door. "But this is my blood we're talking about."
He doesn't stop me as I head back outside, my mind racing with possibilities and fears I've never had to face before.
Sarah sits at the picnic table, her back straight as a ruler, hands folded primly in her lap. She looks so out of place here—tooclean, too good for this world of violence and brotherhood I've chosen. And now I've dragged her into it.
I slide onto the bench across from her. "So…"
"So," she repeats, a small, nervous smile making her lips tremble.
"You really didn't have to come all the way out here," I say. "You could have called."
"With news like this?" She shakes her head. "That didn't seem right."
I stare at her face, searching for signs of what she wants from me. Money? Support? A ring? The thought makes my palms sweat. I'm nobody's husband material.
"I meant what I said," she continues when I don't speak. "I don't expect anything from you. I just thought you should know."
"Because it's the right thing to do," I say, unable to keep the edge from my voice.
Her eyes flash. "Yes, actually. Because it is the right thing. Because despite what you might think, I believe people deserve to know when they're going to be parents, even if they choose not to be involved."
Is that what she thinks? That I'd walk away from my own child?
"Who do you think I am?!" I say, the words coming out before I can stop them.
"I'm still not sure...."
"You don't know me, Sarah." I lean forward, suddenly desperate for her to understand. "You don't know the things I've done, the life I lead. But I am not the kind of man who abandons his kid."
"What kind of man are you, then?"
It's a simple question with a complicated answer. What kind of man am I? A criminal. A fighter. A brother to men who would kill or die for me. A son who couldn't save his mother. A man who's never loved anyone because love makes you weak, makes you vulnerable.
But looking at Sarah, I know one thing for certain.
"I'm the kind of man who will protect what's his," I say finally. "And that includes my child. And you, as its mother."
Her eyes widen slightly. "Ryan—"
"Let me finish," I cut in. "I don't know what this means for us. I don't know if there even is an 'us.' But I will be there for that baby. Whatever it needs. Whatever you need to take care of it. That's a promise."
She blinks a few times, and I realize with horror that she's fighting back tears. Shit. I've never known what to do with crying women.
"Hey, I'm sorry," I say, reaching across the table before thinking better of it and pulling my hand back. "I didn't mean to upset you."
She shakes her head, a watery laugh escaping her. "I'm not upset. These are hormones. And maybe a little relief."
"Relief?"
"I thought you might tell me to get lost," she admits. "Or accuse me of trying to trap you or something."
The thought had never even crossed my mind, which surprises me. In my world, trust doesn't come easy. But something about Sarah has always felt genuine, from the moment I saw her in that bar.
"I wouldn't do that," I say quietly.
She nods, wiping at her eyes. "Well, thank you. For not being what I feared."
The irony of her words isn't lost on me. If she knew half the things I've done for the club, she'd be running in the opposite direction.
