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Back at the hotel in our penthouse suite, I sit on the couch, sipping on a glass of Macallan.
“So, you’re a father?” Ryker deadpans from his position on the couch in front of me.
Glancing at him, I nod before running my free hand through my hair and tugging. “Yeah. His name is Baron.”
He lets out a low whistle. “Damn man. Who would have thought?” he asks it as a question, but I know he doesn’t want an answer. “So, what are you going to do? You know your father will never let you walk away. Especially now he has the whole arranged marriage set up.”
I glare at him. I am aware that my life is a shit show. I don’t need a reminder. “We move full speed ahead with taking my father out. I have already missed the first ten months of my son’s life. I don’t want to miss anymore,” I grunt, then neck the rest of my whiskey. I feel this unbridled anger inside me raging like a tornado, and I just know at some point, I am going to explode.
“I don’t think it’s going to be that easy, but I will get the guys prepared to move forward with it.” He pauses, eyeing me. “Tell me, how did your dumb ass manage to not only nail down someone like Aria Maxwell but put a baby in her?” I can tell he is teasing, trying to lighten the mood, but his words piss me off further.
I flip him off. “Fuck off, Ryker. And don’t talk about Aria like that.”
He grins at me like an idiot. “You love her?”
I blow out a breath. “I do. I’ve loved her for a long time now. Things weren’t always easy with us, but I know with everything in me that she is my other half. I don’t think she sees it like that anymore, though. She seemed different…” I trail off, remembering the sadness in her eyes.
Aria was always stubborn and determined, and when I started working for the Maxwell’s, it didn’t take her long to set her eyes on me. I knew she would break me down, that I wouldn’t be able to resist her, and I couldn’t. Not only is she the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, but her big heart and personality make her the full package. It only took a matter of days before I gave into her flirting. I knew it was wrong, but it didn’t stop me from giving in. I wanted her just as much as she wanted me. I was like a moth to her flame. I didn’t stand a chance. Aria Maxwell pulled me in without even trying. I couldn’t help but be drawn to her.
Our relationship hit many bumps in the road, but before the shit happened with Thalia, we were in a good place. And then, I fucked it up.
Or so Aria thinks.
If she knew the truth, she would be worshipping me at my feet, I am sure.
“Do you think your father knows about your son? I mean, if he set up the kidnapping of Aria, it would make sense that he has eyes on her now.” Ryker says the words that have been going through my mind since I learned of my son. Did my father know?
Possibly.
It’s not like I can ask him outright, though.
“Honestly, I don’t know. The probability of him knowing is higher than the probability of him not. I know he is a piece of shit, but if he did know all this time and kept it quiet, then he is worse than I thought. I will fucking kill him if I find out he kept this from me.”
“It won’t be as simple as that, and you know it. You can’t just kill a man like your father and walk away without suffering the consequences, Bishop,” Ryker drawls.
I turn to glower at him. “I know that, you idiot. Which is why we need evidence to get your father on board and overthrow him. I won’t miss another ten months of my son’s life.”
Ryker sighs. “I think you need to be prepared to travel back and forth. There is no way Calvin will let you stay in New York. Just until we can figure this out. I know you want everything handled this second, but it won’t be as simple as that.” He is trying to placate me, but it’s not working. I hate this. Hate that I can’t just claim my girl and child.
“I know you are right, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it,” I grumble.
Ryker chuckles. “I know, man. Just know I have your back, and I will be your cover for coming to the east coast.”
“Thanks,” I mutter. As much shit as I give Ryker, he is a good friend.
“So, when are you seeing her?” he enquires with a teasing tone.
I shoot him a look before pulling out my cell. Scrolling to Aria’s number—a number I haven’t used in over a year—I pull up a message thread and type.
Me: Can we meet at our spot, 1 P.M. tomorrow?
I don’t need to elaborate; Aria knows exactly where I mean. And the best thing is, it should be safe from any prying eyes and anyone that was potentially sent to follow me. “Do you think Calvin has anyone following us, or am I being paranoid?”
Ryker shrugs. “It’s a possibility. We just need to keep our eyes and ears open. Keep everything lowkey, and if you are meeting Aria, it needs to be in secret.”
I nod in agreement. “I will protect Aria and my son at all costs,” I say before my eyes move back to my screen and my knee bounces in anticipation of Aria’s response. My heart lurches in my chest when the text bubble pop up, and not thirty seconds later, a message comes through.
