Page 23

“Dom owed me a favor,” she said. “So, I asked for info on Hattie. Strictly off the books and under the table. Just to see if she had a special man in her life.”

My spine straightened. Checking up on my ex-wife without my order defied the chain of command, but in this case, I was grateful that she had her head on straight while I had my head in a bottle.

“What did he say?”

Baby Doll blew out a breath and spread her hands.

“I think she’s in some trouble, boss.”

Fuck. My blood ran cold. That’s the last thing I wanted to hear.

“What kind of trouble?” I prompted as my mind whirled through dozens of possibilities.

“She was caught up in a bank robbery a few months ago. Here, in Brightwater. And now she’s due to testify in court. The problem is that the cops only bagged one guy. The other two are still in the wind. Cops weren’t worried about it since she lived out of state, but with the trial date coming up, it sounds like they’re expecting things to get a little bumpy.”

I swore under my breath. There was no way in hell I would trust the cops to look after my woman. I knew she wouldn’t want my protection, but I didn’t give a shit.

She’s my wife. And I would walk through the fires of hell to keep her safe.

Chapter six

Hattie

I bundled my new niece into my arms, utterly spellbound by her tiny pink fists, button nose, and wispy blonde curls. Emma Rose Matthews was perfect in every way.

“She’s the spitting image of you,” I whispered, glancing at my sister.

Connie managed a contented yet exhausted smile. Nathan sat at her bedside, holding her hand as he smoothed his thumb over her knuckles. Wylie was curled up asleep in Nathan’s lap, his head resting on Nathan’s shoulder.

“Sorry about messing up your flight plans,” Connie said in a tired voice.

I shook my head, brushing my knuckles against Emma’s silky soft cheek.

“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. It’s a good thing you like my cooking because you couldn't pry me out of your house with a crowbar right now."

Deep down, it pained me to think about returning to Seattle. I hated that I wasn’t here for so many of Wylie’s milestones—his first words, learning to walk, his first day at preschool. And I wouldn’t be here for many of Emma’s milestones as well.

I cradled the back of her downy head in my palm as she yawned, forming a small O with her mouth. My vision turned misty and my chest grew so tight that it was hard to breathe.

I didn’t have my own kids. I didn’t get to be a mother. I tried my best to be a good aunt, but that was slipping through my fingers too since I didn’t visit as often as I should.

Emma squirmed and started to fuss.

“She’s probably getting hungry,” Connie said.

Nathan helped her to sit up, tucking an extra pillow behind her back for support. Reluctantly, I surrendered Emma back to her mother, aching at the loss of her gentle body heat in my arms.

When I stepped back, it dawned on me what a private family moment this was—husband and wife, welcoming their new baby girl, with their son held close, safe and secure. I slipped out of the room, giving them privacy.

As I navigated the labyrinth of hospital corridors in search of the lobby, my phone rang from the depths of my purse. I fished it out, expecting Connie’s name, calling me for something she needed.

Instead, Neil's number flashed on my screen. Damn it.

I really didn't feel like talking to him. All I wanted to do was sit in a corner and process the bittersweet tug-of-war in my chest—the birth of my niece, the ache of longing to have my own baby that I would never satisfy, and the desire to stay here, close to home, where I could watch my niece and nephew grow up.

The phone kept ringing. Standing there in the hospital hallway, a pang of loneliness came over me. My sister had her family. But I was alone. And I didn't want to be. With a sigh, I answered the phone.

"What do you want, Neil?"