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“No, stay for a second, Adam,” Hope says.
The grim set of her mouth flickers into a quick, brave smile and she pats the seat next to her. “Inga’s back,” she says in an almost teasing way.
I take the chair next to her and she reaches over to squeeze my hand before addressing her friend. “Adam, you read this already?”
“I glanced at it. When I realized who it involved,” he flicks his gaze my way, “—I called you.” He gives me another look I don’t care for. “This woman claims she had a long-term relationship with you.” His lip curls in contempt. “As well as several of your bros and one of you fathered her child,” he finishes while staring me down. One thing I’ve always respected about Adam, he’s not a coward. And since his irritation with me seems to stem from the false belief that I cheated on his friend, I allow his disrespectful attitude a pass.
For now.
“Jesus Christ,” I hold out my hand for the petition and Hope doesn’t hesitate to hand it over.
It’s all legalese, but the gist of it is exactly what Adam said. The dates and time frame are way off for me to be the father of Inga’s kid and I breathe out a sigh of relief. Hope and I had just gotten engaged when this child was conceived. My dick hadn’t been anywhere near Inga in well over a year. “It’s not—”
“I know,” Hope answers, squeezing my leg. She lifts her gaze to Adam. “It’s not Rock’s child. And I highly doubt it’s any of his brothers’.”
Christ, the love I have for this woman. Emotion burns the back of my throat at the way she doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t even question me or have a doubt in her mind about my fidelity.
That emotion turns to anger. Anger that once again my past behavior is tainting her life. At a time when I want her to have the least stress possible this utter fucking bullshit has to happen.
Busy with my internal struggle, I miss most of their conversation.
“I think that’s best too. Okay, Rock?” Hope asks.
“I’m sorry, baby doll.”
She pats my leg again. “It’s okay, we’ll discuss it on the way home.” She struggles to stand and I jump up to help her.
“Are you all right, Hope?” Adam says.
“I’m fine.”
Adam’s glare is a little less intense as I wrap my arm around Hope’s waist, but he still doesn’t shake my hand on our way out.
Once we’re back inside the truck, Hope turns to face me. “What’s going on in your head, Rock?”
“That I’ve never wanted to hurt a woman in my life, but if Inga was in front of me right now, I’d probably kill her.”
“I figured.” She turns serious. “Listen, as galling as this is, I think it’s best that we just take the test, prove her wrong and move on.”
We. God, I love her. “Hope, I’m so sorry.”
She snorts. “It’s not your fault she’s nuts.”
Yeah, it is because I never should’ve been involved with Inga in the first place. Fuck, if I’d known Hope was in my future I would’ve lived like a fuckin’ monk my whole damn life.
“Rock,” she says, settling her hand over mine. “I read the dates. I’m not worried the child is yours. I hope you know that.”
“I do.”
“And if for some reason, addition and subtraction aren’t Inga’s strong suit, I’d fight like hell to make sure we were involved in your child’s life. Nothing changes how I feel about you.”
Someone who didn’t know her might think she’s subtly trying to say if there’s a possibility I cheated on her, she forgives me. But that’s not what I take from her words at all. No, my woman would definitely slice off my nuts if I cheated on her. Considering how many women I’ve known over the years before Hope, I appreciate the sentiment. I’m probably lucky I haven’t been slapped with one of these petitions earlier, and I almost think that’s what she’s trying to tell me. It wouldn’t matter to her.
Unconditional love. That’s my Hope.
“Now,” she says in a brisker changing-the-topic tone. “How do we explain this to the rest of the guys? Poor Wrath. His head is going to explode. I don’t think he liked Inga very much.”
I huff out a laugh, amused that Wrath’s state of mind is her first concern. “I’ll take care of it. I don’t want you answering the petition. I’m fucking livid she sent it to you in the first place. She knew damn well Glassman represents Crystal Ball.”
“How?”
Fuck me. Why can’t I keep my mouth shut? “She sued for unemployment after she got out of rehab.”
Hope snorts. “She did? I wouldn’t think dancers are covered?”
“Some are. She wasn’t because she only appeared there on a semi-regular basis. It’s why she lost.”
“Huh. I’m starting to wonder if her kid’s even real.”
“You and me both.” I turn, tracing my fingers over her cheek so she meets my eyes. “Now more than ever, I don’t want you off the property without one of the guys.”
“Trinity’s pretty badass.”
“I’m aware.”
“Inga’s all the way in California.”
“I know, but this really bugs me.”
She grabs my hand, kissing the back. “Okay. I won’t go anywhere without one of the guys with me.”
“Thank you. I’ll tell them today.”
“Boy, they’re really going hate me,” she mutters.
“You know that’s not true. There’s not one brother who wouldn’t drop what they’re doing to help you out. You’ve earned everyone’s respect, Hope. Not just because you’re the president’s wife.”
“I know,” she says quietly. “I was kidding.”
“I’ll call Glassman when we get home.”
“No,” she says. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch her vigorous head-shake. “Fuck that and fuck her.” I don’t even have a second to laugh or tease her for the language. “I will not let her think she rattled me or give her crazy little brain a chance to concoct some story that you’re hiding this from me. She doesn’t get to think she won or that she wormed her skinny little body between us in any way. I’ll be the one to handle it.”
“Hope. I love you for saying that, but you have more important things to worry about right now.” I reach over and settle my hand over her the curve of her stomach and barely choke out the next words. “I can’t have you upset. Not now.”
“Rock,” she says, mimicking my patient tone. “The only thing upsetting me right now, is knowing how much this upsets you, because you’re worried about me. See what a vicious cycle we’re spinning in here?” She rests her hand over mine. “Just let me handle it.”
“Christ, what a mess. I’m so sorry.”
Her soft laughter actually reassures me more than you’d think. “Oh, come on. We were due for a little extra excitement in our lives, don’t you think?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Church should be fun today.
On the way home, I call Wrath and tell him to get everyone ready to meet. Not an unheard-of request in the middle of the day, but unusual enough that Wrath’s immediately suspicious.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t want to discuss it over the phone, but it’s important. Everyone needs to be there.”
He hesitates for a second. “You okay, Rock?”
“I’m fine.”
“All right. Well, Z’s at Crystal Ball.”
“I’m not far from there. I’ll stop and talk to him.”
After we hang up, I turn to Hope. “You mind making a quick stop?”
“Nope. I’d like to say hi to Willow anyway.”
“Thanks.”
Z’s busy supervising a bunch of contractors working to expand the stage.
“Didn’t you just finish a bunch of renovations?” Hope asks as he leans down to give her a peck on the cheek.
He winks at her. “I have some special events coming up.”
“I’m afraid to ask.”
Z glances my way. “What’s up? You neve
r come visit anymore.”
“Let’s talk in your office.”
His expression hardens and he puts his hands on his hips. “What’s going on?”
“I’m calling everyone up to the club for church, but I need to speak to you now.”
“Rock, I’m in the middle of—”
The hard stare I give him stops him cold. “Yeah, all right.”
