Page 68 of Filthy Secret

I don’t have the heart to tell her that paying the bills doesn’t matter right now. This is about survival, and all I can do is work at her bakery. It’s all I have. It might be all I’ll ever have at this rate.

“Ryan,” Shawn snaps, causing me to lift my eyes to hers. I am jolted from my thoughts before she continues. “Once that jerk is found, you’re home free, babe. You can have the life you want, the one that you dream of.”

I don’t tell her the truth. I don’t tell her that a girl like me has no ambitions other than to survive. There are no bakeries or shops in my future. I won’t open a boutique or do anything in my life. The best I can hope for is to raise my son without a lifetime of pain, abuse, and trauma.

I’m honestly not sure if I’m even winning at that.

I’m probably not, especially after the last few weeks.

Sucking in a deep breath, I hold it for a moment, then let it out slowly. She reaches across the counter and wraps her fingers around mine.

“I know we don’t know one another well, but trust me when I say that we are a lot alike, and you can have a career. You can have whatever you want, Ryan. It’s all right here, at the tips of your fingers.”

She’s right. And I don’t know why I’m standing here taking life and career advice from someone six years younger than me, but she’s got her shit a little more together than I do. I should feel bad about that, maybe embarrassed, but we all have different paths, and she’s got a lot more ambition than I do.

“Ambition? Yes. But also, I didn’t have a baby to worry about. My business was all I had until I met the Dark Horse MC.”

I press my lips together. “Until you met the Dark Horse MC?” I ask.

“Atomic saved my business. He suggested taking my desserts to the farmers’ market because he loves it there, and my business started booming. I would have already closed my door if it weren’t for him. We all need help, Ryan. You’re no different.”

I’m not any different. I’m not anything, anyone special. I know that as well as anyone else. I know that wasn’t her point exactly, but I also know that it’s the way it is. I’m not special. I never have been. I also should accept help where it’s offered because I know it isn’t always offered in life.

“So what do I do?” I ask.

She smiles. “What’s your passion?”

Shifting my gaze to Adam, I smile as I slide my eyes back to meet Shawn’s. “Before Adam, I was Atomic’s woman. I’ve never had a passion, Ryan. I’ve worked odd jobs. School secretary was the best because of the schedule. I don’t have a passion.”

“Then we’ll find it. We will figure it out—together.”

“Why?” I ask. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

Shawn’s lips curve up into a wide smile. “Because I’ve never had a sister, and I’ve always wanted one. I think we could be sisters.”

Reaching for her wrist, I curl my fingers around her and squeeze gently. “I have a sister by birth, but I got a crappy one. I’d be proud to have you as my chosen sister.”

She smiles then sinks her teeth into her bottom lip, releasing it before she speaks. “I have a brother by birth, and trust me when I say that I got a crappy one. So I am glad you agree to be my chosen sister.”

And that is how Grover finds us, eating treats and grinning at one another like the happiest fools on earth.

ATOMIC

“What a fuckin’ sight,” I announce as I walk into the kitchen to find Shawn, Ryan, and Adam snacking on desserts. The women seem to be conspiring, though I doubt it’s anything serious.

As I move through the kitchen, my focus shifts from the entirety of the room to just her. Just Ryan. When I’m close enough to touch her, I lift my arm and wrap it around her waist, roughly tugging her against my chest. Tilting my head to the side, I touch my mouth to hers in a hard, owning kiss.

“Grover,” she exhales.

“I have to handle some shit. Don’t know when I’ll be back,” I murmur against her lips.

She opens her mouth but doesn’t say anything right away. Instead, she closes her mouth, presses her lips together, and watches me, waiting for an explanation. She won’t get it. I know what I’m going to go and do, but she doesn’t need to worry about it or me.

“You be good, little man,” I say, shifting my attention to Adam.

He lifts his head and grins at me, then nods once before he turns back to his cookie. I release Ryan then take a step backward, turning to walk out of the kitchen when I hear her sweet voice call out my name.

Looking back over my shoulder, my eyes find hers and hold them. “Be safe,” she whispers.