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My cheeks heated. “We connected immediately because of our height. We both stood heads above everyone there. When we had the chance to talk, I fell for him immediately. No one had been so kind to me. When I went for a drink, people made sure I knew the rumors of what a horrible monster he was, but I couldn’t see that man in him.”
More memories washed over me. Adam’s smile, our first kiss, his hands on my hips as we danced. Sixteen-year-old me had fallen so hard and so fast for him.
“I knew Adam’s reputation when he proposed the first time we saw each other after I turned seventeen. I didn’t go into our marriage naïve or believing I could change him. Adam still treated me like a princess when we were together. He loved me. I didn’t doubt that, and I knew our relationship wouldn’t be easy. My mom was about ten seconds from kicking me out, so Adam and I married just after I turned seventeen. He opened a bank account for me and put more money into it than I’d ever known a person like me could have. Adam also helped me find an apartment and bought me everything I needed to begin a life without Mom. He only had a week off, but it was the best week of my life.
“We’d only known each other for maybe a few months at that point, but I didn’t care. Mom called me some horrible things when she found out I’d gotten married so young and so quickly. She was positive I was pregnant. I wasn’t. Adam was a gentleman, and we waited for our wedding night. My husband spent his life taking care of his team, being there to support Carmon in every way he could. He needed someone to give him the love and support he needed. I only wanted to be able to do that more often than I could.
“I moved around a bit once I became comfortable being on my own. I’d always let Adam know where I was so he could find me when he had time off. It didn’t take long to move to Rusolo so when he had a vacation, he wouldn’t have to travel far. Though, it was torture to be so close and yet so far away.
“Getting a job in Mount Pickett was good and bad. I was closer to Adam, though by that point, he and his brothers weren’t coming back as often or at all. The rumors about them abounded, and some of them were downright terrible. I still don’t know if some of them are true, but it doesn’t matter. Adam has changed. He’s still kind to me, but he’s kinder to everyone now.”
Tears welled up in my eyes. “I miss him like crazy, but I’m also so proud of him. It’s a war in my heart.”
Grace smiled like I’d said something funny. Before I could guess what she thought was hilarious, she opened her mouth to explain.
“Before Dalton and I were mated, I actually had an enormous crush on Adam. He seemed to be more my type than any of the others, but he would never give me the time of day in the relationship department. Now I know why.”
A smile couldn’t help but shine back at her. Adam had been faithful to me. Grace was one of the most beautiful women I’d met. If he could keep his hands off her when she pursued him, he kept himself for me alone.
Baby, can you hear me? Are you awake?Adam’s voice in my head startled a squeak out of me.
“What is it?” Grace whipped her head around, but there was only a wall behind her.
“It’s Adam.” I shook my head. “He spoke in my head.”
“What did he want?” The intensity of Grace’s stare made me want to shrink into the carpet.
“I don’t know. Just a second.”Adam?
Oh, baby. I love you. I wish I had time to say more, but you Ladies need to get to Demon’s Ridge. Chris needs help now.
We’ll be on our way soon. I love you too.
He retreated from the link before I could say more. Did he even hear my profession of love to him?
“We need to go to Demon’s Ridge.” I laid Taylee on the floor in her blanket to go grab the spare diaper bag we’d packed with baby supplies before snuggling Taylee in her front carrier. “That’s where Chris is, and Adam says he needs help.”
“What kind of help?” Sophie was right beside me strapping another baby into his carrier against her chest.
“I don’t know. He didn’t say.” But he’d sounded stressed. Chris needed our help and now.
The other Ladies seemed to have the same thought. We were packed up and out the door in ten minutes. Had we not needed to use the bathroom, our time would have been cut in half. Hopefully, Chris wouldn’t suffer for our bathroom break.
“I don’t know where Demon’s Ridge is, well, compared to here.” I hated to admit my lack of navigational skills.
“Neither do I.” Tessa raised her hand beside me.
“Me either,” Sophie admitted.
Sylee didn’t say anything as we tromped through the forest in the dark, but she was on edge. You could almost feel her trepidation.
“I’ve never been there either,” Jazz said from in front of me. “Adam didn’t happen to say where the others were, did he?”
I shook my head, but she wouldn’t see that in the dark. “No, he just said we needed to get to Chris.”
“Then let’s walk faster.” Sophie attempted to rush forward, but Grace held her arm out to stop Chris’ mate.
“We can’t see well in the dark, Sophie. We’ll make better time if we don’t twist an ankle. As far as I know, only I’ve been through the Ridge, though Sylee’s been to it.”
