Ryder always made me a big meal before he would leave me with Hugh for a while. He said he did it because he knew it was the only crumb of love I’d get until he got back. Now he’s doing it again.
Only this time, I’ll have an abundance of love when he goes.
Pushing open the door to the house from the garage, I say, “I smell a going away dinner."
Ryder turns to face me from the stove. “Soph, that's not…”
"It is. But that's okay."
"I need to go back. Dad's guys are getting restless. They know we're changing things, and his die-hards are not happy.” He gives me a smile before stirring his sauce. “Once everything is settled there, you can come home. Damon's already turning one of our guest rooms into a nursery suite for you and the baby."
"Absolutely the fuck not. Why would she be leaving here?” Wyatt stands in the doorway of the slider, Athena pawing at him to move.
“Wyatt…” I try to calm him down. I have no plans to leave. But it's also something we haven't talked about. “ I think we all need to talk.”
Wyatt's face blanches the palest I've ever seen, and his frown is immediate.
Wrapping myself up in his arms, I kiss his cheek and whisper, “I'm not leaving. You're stuck with me.”
"Promise?" he asks, fear lacing his words.
"Promise. Let's sit and eat, and we can talk to Ryder.”
Ryder places the plates on the table, and I grab silverware while Wyatt feeds Athena.
"Can someone tell me what's going on?” Ryder asks. "I thought the plan was always for you to come home, work with me, and rebuild the Chiave name. It'd be nice to have a brother-in-law on the force, help us out.”
"Ryder, I love you so much, and I appreciate all you did for me. For my whole life, not just recently.” I plate up the eggplant parm for each man, then myself before sitting down to join them. "But things changed. I met Wyatt, and I'm meant to be here with him. And Aubs and Lily. We haven't actually been able to talk yet, but if Wyatt will have me, I’d like to stay here with him.”
Wyatt reaches out to hold my hand on top of the table. "You don't even need to ask. I'd be lost if you left. But if moving back to Montana is what you want, I’d do it for you.”
"Of course she does! It's always been our plan.”
"Ryder. I don't. Montana holds too many bad memories. I think there's a way for me to still help you though. I've been planning and researching. There needs to be a firmer plan, though, before I give it to you."
My plan is a good one. One I thought a lot about while on house arrest because of James.
"I'm here for whatever you want, Soph, but you know that I’ll miss you for sure. But your happiness is more important to me." He stares right at Wyatt. "You better take fucking good care of her."
"I plan to," he says with a grin.
Hugging my brother, I'm sad to let him go. I wish he could stay here with me. Damon needs him though. It's time to end Hugh's business and bring honor back to the Chiave name. I'm not sure if I'll ever go back to using the Chiave name, but I will be proud of my brother.
"I'll miss you, Soph.”
"I'll come visit as soon as I can. Promise.” I let go of him, watching him wheel his suitcase away from me.
"Don't forget you promised to take care of her for me." Ryder and Wyatt shake hands. "And don't forget, I have guys that know how to hide a body,” he whispers.
"Ryder Chiave!" I scold him.
He shrugs and waves going into the airport.
I make it until we're back on the highway before I let the fat tears fall down my face.
Wyatt squeezes my thigh. "I'm so sorry. Are you sure you don't want to go back to Montana? I have some contacts already from these cases with Hugh. I bet I could get a job. I'm not sure about being Ryder’s guy on the inside though."
"No. Montana only holds bad memories for me. Even the good ones with Ryder are tainted by Hugh.”
