Page 85 of Fame And Secrets
“Is it always going to be like this?”
“Like what?” Ryker said in a low voice.
I tilted my chin toward the NICU beds that housed fifteen tiny infants. “Constant worry about both of them. I’ve not cared about anything for so long, this putting others first thing is exhausting.”
Life before Phoebe was simple. Music. Booze. Women. I didn’t care about much else. She changed me, and I felt like a foreigner in my own skin with no way to navigate the road ahead.
“No idea, bro. Hell, I dropped out of college. I’m banking on a life of tour buses and backstage orgies. I have no idea what it feels like to be you.” He shifted his weight. “But I can tell you I had the perfect vantage point when Iris was born.”
I locked eyes with him. “Ryker, I’d hate to kick your ass in front of medical personnel.”
“No, dumbass, I’m not talking about that vantage point. Although, trust me,” he held his palms up for effect, “there’s not enough tequila in the world to block some of the images in my head now.” I savored the embarrassment flushing his face, and he cleared his throat. “I meant that I saw you.”
“Yes, I saw you too. We all saw each other.”
He shook his head in frustration and stepped around me. “No, she was born, and something changed in your face. I can’t explain it. It’s like I saw you become a dad. I’ve never seen that expression from you.”
I stared at the floor before uncrossing my arms and scrubbing my face with both hands. God, lack of sleep drained the life from me. My body screamed for rest but that was a luxury for the foreseeable future. I had a family to protect from a homicidal madman.
“I don’t think I’ve properly thanked you.”
“For what?”
I motioned to the NICU beds. “Taking care of my family like they were your own.”
“Julian, they are my family. That little girl is my niece.” We stood quietly, trying to find the right words to say. Finally, he shoved his hands in his pockets and grinned. “But I’ll tell you one thing I learned from all this.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m adopting.”
Laughter doubled me over. Staring at my brother with a new appreciation, I stuck my hand out in front of me, my fingers almost touching his chest.
He quirked an eyebrow. “What’re you doing?”
“I’m trying to thank you. If I didn’t know you were with her, and…damn it, Ry. Just shake my hand.”
Ryker made no attempt to move. Just before I sighed and drew my hand back, he stepped forward and hooked both arms around me. Moments of understood silence passed as I hugged my brother. We were so lost in fighting reserved emotions, we didn’t hear the footsteps behind us until a female cleared her throat. Breaking our awkward embrace, I focused on the receptionist standing before me wringing her hands.
“Mr. Bale, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I’m leaving for the day, and I forgot to give this to you.” She held out a plain white envelope. I took it from her, turning it over and back to the front again. It was blank.
“Who sent this?”
“A man was here before you arrived, sir.” The constant hand wringing made me want to grab her wrists. “He wanted to see the baby, but you hadn’t authorized anyone yet, so I denied him.”
The hair on the back of my neck stood up. “A man? What man?”
“He didn’t give his name, sir. He just said he was the child’s grandfather.”
The world stopped, and I couldn’t breathe.
“She doesn’t have a grandfather.” I barely choked the words out as my hand tore open the envelope.
The card was pink with dancing bears in ballerina tutus, welcoming Iris to the world. The inscription inside was harshly scribbled—slanted and angry.
Just like a serial killer’s handwriting should look.
Welcome to the world, Little Princess.
Can’t wait to see you soon.
Grandpa