Page 19 of With A Little Luck
I’m probably more forgiving than most, simply because my dads used to hover and obsess about my mom.
They still do. I just don’t have to see it play out on a daily basis.
It’s all leftover evolutionary instincts from back when the world was a more lawless place, and alphas were solely responsible for their omega’s safety.
The ride is mostly silent other than the soft sounds of the radio playing some rock song in the background. Not more than five minutes pass as Knox heads south, turning toward the water.
Okay, I’ve been down here once when I got lost. The houses are all expensive, and there are private neighborhoods scattered about, some with views of Burlington Bay and Shelburne Bay.
My blood runs cold as the houses get larger, and it looks less and less like the neighborhood my grandmother’s house is in. These have to be multi-million dollar homes, and all I can seem to think is that Ridge is going to assume I baby trapped him for his money.
Which is ridiculous.
I had no idea about his financial situation when we met. Honestly, I didn’t think personal security got paid all that much, but I must have been wrong.
The baby bounces around, and it almost feels like she’s rolling. I can feel what might be her forearm as she moves about. It’s always strange when I try to match up what body part I’m feeling.
Hart stretches over, running his hand over my stomach.
My eyes fly to his, and he gives a soft smile.
I grab his hand, interlock our fingers, and give him a squeeze to let him know… I don’t even know what.
That I appreciate him coming with me?
That I’m sorry I got him tangled up in my mess of a life?
Anxiety pulses through my system, and I do my best to relax.
Whatever will happen will happen.
Ridge will either want to be a part of the baby’s life or he won’t.
The neighborhood Knox drives into is intense. There’s an actual guardhouse with two men inside, but they wave the vehicle through as Knox rolls down the window.
We don’t drive very far into the community, but the houses are spaced far apart in that way that makes each piece of property feel sprawling.
Knox turns into the driveway of a massive dark blue house.
It has a covered white porch, and it’s at least two stories.
Maybe three, based on the tiny triangular windows at the top.
That might be an attic, I’m not sure. He brings the vehicle to a stop in front of a four-car garage on the right side of the house.
I refuse to use the word mansion , even mentally, or I will be too intimidated to walk inside.
My door pops open, and I jolt.
Ridge holds out a hand. “It’s only a short walk until we’ll be inside, but you might want to put your coat on.”
I shake my head and grab it from the floorboard. “I’ll be fine. I get hot really easily.”
He frowns but nods.
I place my hand in his as the sounds of the garage door opening fill the air. He helps me from the SUV and steps back.
“I have a dog. Are you allergic?”
“No, I love dogs,” I say, shivering as a gust of cold wind blows through.
Huh.
Maybe I am stubborn. I should have put on my giant wool coat, even for the ten- or fifteen-foot walk.
“Good, his name is King.” Ridge grimaces. “He’s friendly…once he gets to know you. He’ll just ignore you at first.”
I can understand that.
After all, I’m about to be a guest in his home.
“The two of you can grab Quincy’s and Hartley’s bags,” Ridge says in his deep, growly tone. “Come on, I’ve got to unlock the door.” He steps back and strides off.
My stomach tightens. I’m not sure why it hurts so badly to see him walk away, but I thought he might escort me inside.
This is such a weird situation.
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” Hartley mutters, wrapping his arm around my lower back. “We stick together, promise me.”
I nod, nuzzling close to his chest. “I’ll ask Ridge to give us one room to share, but he and I do need to have a conversation. I feel like that will be best without an audience.”
“Come on, it’s freezing, and you’re barely wearing anything,” Ridge growls from inside the garage. He’s standing on the top step, holding the door open and glaring at Hartley.
Or that’s what I tell myself.
If he’s glaring at me…
No, I’m not even letting my head go there. I will explain the circumstances, apologize, and then we can see where we go from here.
If I could go back in time, I would do everything so much differently, but hindsight is twenty-twenty.
“This is King.” Ridge gestures to the adorable English bulldog on the couch. He’s lying on a throw pillow, and he truly does look like a king on a throne. “Just ignore him for now. He doesn’t like new people, but we will get him used to you before the baby comes.”
I nod, leaning deeper into Hartley’s chest.
I need to find a way to get a few minutes alone with Ridge, but he seems completely shut down.
Something similar happened to me when my gran died.
My system went numb, and everything felt hazy, like it wasn’t real. I spent several days just coasting through, making decisions that should have fallen to the entire family, but since no one else was around, I had to make those calls.
“Once Knox and Trigg bring in your bags, Knox can show you to the primary bedroom. It has an attached bathroom.” Ridge shoves his hands into his pockets. “I’m going to find a menu and order dinner. Anything the two of you need to avoid?”
Hartley’s head shakes.
“No seafood, please. Even the smell can make me sick sometimes,” I tell him truthfully.
“No fish, no shellfish, got it.” He nods and strides off while I’m still majorly confused if he even wants me here.
That might be all Trigg.