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Duke bites down, shaking his head. He looks disgusted that he even has to say any of this. I remember what he said yesterday about Ryan’s mom leaving, about not being in Ryan’s life when he was a kid. I bet if he had been, Ryan would be different now. When Duke has another chance, another family, I know he will be the best dad our kids could ask for.
Even if he killed hisowndad…
“Molly, I’m going to have to take you home,” Duke says. “I need to handle this. Sober Ryan up. Look into rehabs. And who’s to say this is over? They know who I am. They know who you are, Ryan, but they don’t know your name, Molly. They don’t know where your dorm is. They don’t know…” He trails off, shuddering. “But if they found out, I wouldn’t forgive myself if something happened to you.”
He stares furiously at the road while his words bounce warmly around me. He wouldn’t forgive himself if somebody hurt me. His own son is lying in the backseat, but he didn’t say that about him—only me. Maybe I’m not the only one who feels this connection, this burning, this fire.
“Dad, I really don’t feel well.”
“I could drop him off on the way,” Duke says, glancing at me. “Get him some rest. We could have some time then. It’s not much of a date, though.”
“I think it’s safe to say this date has been more eventful than most,” I comment.
He laughs drily. “Yeah, no arguments there. You good with that?”
I nod. “Whatever you think is best.”
Truthfully, this is a bad idea. I should get away from them as quickly as possible, but my adrenaline is still surging. I don’t like the idea of being alone in my dorm. The longer I can spend with Duke, the better, even if, any second, Ryan could tell him the truth.
CHAPTERTEN
Duke
I help Ryan into his bedroom, hold his arm, and lower him into bed. He stares up at me drunkenly, his eyes wide and red. “Dad,” he moans. “Dad, I’m sorry.”
I stand up, the anger starting to settle down now. I’ve been in countless fights, but it’s different when guns are involved. I’ve only ever held one at the range, and it’s not like I do that often.
“We’re getting you some help,” I tell him. “First thing in the morning. I’m going to need to get some cash ready, too. If those jackals come calling, I’ll need to pay off your debt. I don’t want any issues with them.”
“Was it true?” Ryan asks. “Did you kill your dad?”
I bite down, remembering the bar. I threw it out there viciously to let them know I was serious. I would’ve pulled that trigger to keep my woman safe. I would’ve executed every man in there to save her. It’s my primary responsibility in life.
“Go to sleep,” I tell him. When he rolls onto his back, eyes closing, I reach forward, take his shoulder, and softly maneuver him so he’s on his side. “Stay like this. I’ll check on you to make sure you’re okay.”
“Dad…” Ryan opens his eyes with effort, staring at me. “Do you know who she is?”
“Do I know whowhois?” I ask.
“Molly.”
I’m not sure how to respond to this. She’s the woman of my dreams. She’s the future mother of my children. She’smine. That’s who she is and who she always will be—just mine, always mine. Nobody else touches her. Nobody threatens her. Nobody ever gets to hurt her.
“She’s my date,” I tell him. “The one I told you about.”
Ryan laughs, but there’s sadness in it. “She’s my ex, Dad. My ex-girlfriend. The one who broke up with me yesterday.”
Ryan told me he broke up with her, which was clearly just to protect himself. At first, I’m unsure if I’ve heard him right, but I don’t ask him to repeat it. I let the words settle in my mind, settle in my chest, deep in my belly.
She’s hisex. They’ve kissed and been intimate. They’ve beentogether. The woman I want, need to spend the rest of my life with. The woman who’s going to give Ryan brothers and sisters one day. Oh, dammit, the woman who will be hisstepmomone day.
Stumbling backward, my head spinning, I know I have to make sure I heard him correctly. Maybe this is some vicious trick, but Ryan seems sad and defeated, not like he’s trying to get some weird dig in. “Molly is your ex-girlfriend.”
“Yeah, Dad.” Ryan lets his eyes close. “I don’t know why she’d date you, but yeah, I’m sorry.”
I walk from the bedroom, leaving the door cracked. As I descend the stairs, I realize I’m taking them slowly, as if I can put this off. I’ll have to ask her, or I can pretend I didn’t hear what Ryan said.
Molly is standing at the living room window, peering around the curtain. I pause in the doorway, studying her. My adrenaline turns into white-hot desire as I drink in her wide hips, thick, perfect legs, and curviness. Despite the standoff, despite Ryan’s revelation, my manhood is still getting hard. My dick is still pushing against my pants.
