Page 14 of Filthy Secret

I feel uneasy about them leaving. I want them to stay here with me so I know they’re safe. I still don’t quite understand who they are and what they mean to Ryan. Neither of them has offered the information, and I’ve been so busy texting and calling the men at the club that I haven’t asked.

Honestly, I’m kind of afraid to know who the kid is to Ryan. I’m not stupid, and I’m pretty sure that I could figure out the answer if I thought about it, but I don’t think I want to know. I want to live in fucking denial.

I wish I’d had a brother come up here for protection. I didn’t really think about that. I didn’t think I needed it. But after running into that absolute fucking dickhead outside, I’m thinking I should have someone here.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I say, answering her. “But I will walk you to the car.”

The nurse snorts, her gaze focused on me. “You can come back in the morning,” she states.

Shaking my head slowly from side to side, I don’t lose eye contact with her. I press my lips together and roll them as I watch her. I’m trying to think of what I’m going to say exactly, but at the same time, I’m purposely taking my time to intimidate her.

“I’ll be back here in five fuckin’ minutes, and I expect to be let in without an issue.”

“Sir—” she begins.

But I am not interested in her false sense of authority. Fuck her.

“I will be back in five minutes,” I clip, then brush past her and follow behind Rose and Adam.

I ride down with them in the elevator, then follow them to the car, glancing around and taking in the area as I look for anyone who doesn’t belong, mainly that sly motherfucker I know without a doubt has been watching my guys and Ryan, too.

Adam is loaded into the back of Rose’s car, my mind moving a million miles a minute as she does this, but before she walks over to the driver’s side, she stops and turns to face me.

“Thank you for walking us,” she murmurs.

“Rose,” I call out.

She stops and tips her head back, her eyes finding mine as she holds my gaze for a moment before I speak. Clearing my throat, I shift my gaze around again to ensure that we are indeed alone in this dark parking lot.

“Are you safe at your place, the two of you?” I ask.

She looks at the passenger window and focuses on Adam for a moment before she turns her attention back to meet mine. “I have an alarm. I will set it tonight.”

Dipping my chin once, I make an instant decision. “I’m going to call a friend and have him stand guard at your place until I can be there. Until Ryan is out of the hospital.”

“Thank you, that’s very much appreciated. I just hate that this happened, and I was right there, next door, without any clue at all.”

“Drive safe, and you have my number in case you need it. Don’t hesitate at all to call me, okay?”

She gives me a smile, confirms that she’ll call me if she needs to, and then climbs into the front seat of her car. I stand in the parking lot, watching her car drive away before I head back into the hospital.

As the elevator climbs to Ryan’s floor, I expect to find a security guard at her door barring me from entering, but there is nobody there. I slip into her room, and we are left alone the rest of the evening, minus a nurse coming in to check Ryan’s vitals and administer pain medicine.

Calling one of the brothers who I know isn’t on duty to do any pickups or collections anytime soon, I demand that he come up here to help protect Ryan and her family.

“I’ll be there in a few hours,” Rim murmurs.

“I’m at the hospital, but I have her address, so you can go straight there and keep an eye on the old lady next door. That’s where the kid is.”

“Will do, Atomic.”

I don’t leave Ryan’s side.

There is nowhere in the fucking world I would rather be right now.

CHAPTER

SIX