Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

Mason

That sound.

It's like a magnet, pulling me to the little bean on the screen. It's small, innocent, and in need of protection. If I could, I'd wrap the baby up so nothing bad could ever happen to him.

I failed with Ainsley, but maybe I can make sure that from this moment forward, nothing happens to either one of them. I hold onto her hand. She looks so frightened.

We have to discuss her situation. She needs her family. I wish I could stay with her. Maybe I could shift my schedule around to ensure that I'm here during her last trimester. Carefully, I set a hand on her belly and caress it.

"You two are going to be okay," I mumble. I'll make sure that nothing happens to either one of you.

"I think so too," she mumbles, smiling like the old Ainsley.

It's been so fucking long since I've seen her relax and just enjoy the moment. That asshole did a number on her, and one way or another, I'll make him pay.

"Why don't I leave so you can get dressed. I'll see you in a few." I leave the room and text Kowalski.

MBradley: I'll be in Austin until Monday.

KKowalski: Everything okay?

MBradley: It could be better.

KKowalski: If you need anything just text me. I have a hot date tomorrow with the future Mrs. Kowalski.

MBradley: I didn't know you were dating someone.

KKowalski: It's our first date, but I'm sure she's the one.

I roll my eyes.

Only Karl would think about tying the knot to a stranger—or at all. I shouldn't judge him. After all, he's in his thirties. Strangely, most of the people who work for me are older than me. They don't seem to care, though. They like my vision. Most of them are retired forces. Some went to WestPoint,Massachusetts Maritime Academy, or the Airforce Academy and decided not to continue their military career.

I'm just glad that all of them believe in HIB Securities just as I do. My father swore it was a childhood fantasy, but here I am, making it possible. But can I continue it?

I stare at the closed door. On the other side is Ainsley. She needs me. Her baby needs me too. I can't just abandon them. She's a resilient person, but she shouldn't be doing this on her own.

Will I have to change my plans?

My company is in Seattle. I can't uproot everything for her, but then… I can't just tell her to move if she wants me to help her with the baby. That's exactly what Porter did with her, changed her entire life.

When Ainsley comes out of the room, she's holding a strip of paper.

"What's that?"

She turns it around. It's like a film. Seven copies of the grainy image from the monitor. "Baby's first picture. I think I'm going to frame one of them and caption it, First lima bean picture. "

"Please, tell me you're going to call her something different."

"You think the baby is a girl?" She frowns. "What if he's a boy?"

"We'll love the baby no matter what," I assure her. "How are you feeling?"

She smiles. "Thank you for coming with me, even when"—She glances at the room and then at her long skirt— "It was uncomfortable for you."

It wasn't uncomfortable. I can't find the words to describe exactly what I felt when I met the baby—or being next to Ainsley. Something warm and soft filled my chest. Those are two words I never use.

"I'm glad I was here for you," I say, pushing aside all the foolishness that's been flooding my mind the past couple of hours.

My father can't let things go easily.

When we arrive at Ainsley's place, I notice he's sent a few messages asking me to call him. I don't. He wants me to give him an update about her. If I know him well, that's code for you have to talk to her fathers.

I sigh and ask, "When are you telling your parents?"

She glances at me and walks away. I follow her. We enter her studio. She has a piano, several guitars, and even a set of drums. This looks slightly like the music room in her childhood house, but it's missing a lot of instruments.

"Aha! Here they are." She pulls out a pair of scissors from a drawer and cuts the ultrasound pictures. She glances at me. "Do you want one?"

I shouldn't, but I take it. "Thank you. Now, about your parents?"

"Do I have to?" she asks, putting the scissors away and setting one of the pictures on top of the piano. "We should go to the store to buy some frames."

"Ainsley?"

She looks at me and gives me a sad smile. "It's not like they care. I haven't seen them since last August when I was visiting my brothers. They were there, at Matt and Jacob's place. They're there often."

After taking a deep breath and pressing her lips together, she says, "Do you know that he recognized them?"

I blink a couple of times. What is she talking about?

"Who?"

She clears her throat. "Chris Decker. He announced that he's the father of MJ and JC Decker from Without A Compass —the twins." She presses her eyes with the heel of her hands. "We're triplets. Three. I'm his daughter—blood-related. My brothers aren't, but he's proud to tell everyone that he's their dad."

After a long pause, she says, "I'm his daughter. Not them. Me. I would never tell him that because the last thing I want is to make anyone feel less. Yet, they make me feel like I don't exist."

There's a lot more behind that confession. A lawsuit from one of Chris's former bandmates and… I can't remember everything my father mentioned. It felt inconsequential at the time. Not once did I think of how much it would affect Ainsley. She hates that they hide her, and now… he recognizes her brothers and not her.

"I'm sorry."

She snorts. "Do you realize that I let Porter do the same thing with me? Hide me? And maybe that's the problem. I do whatever people want just to get a smidge of love."

How am I supposed to tell her that she should reach out to her family when their actions show her that they don't give a fuck? Maybe I'm all she has, but I need to be in Malaysia in two months. We have training there and then a mission in Africa.

I'll figure things out. "What's the plan?"

"I'll probably finish the semester. I can either take the next year off or… I don't know. The first order of business is to find a house. Porter is gone for a few months—a world tour. It gives me plenty of time to relocate."

He's gone, but that doesn't mean that he can't fly to visit when he has days off. "Are you safe?"

She nods a couple of times. "I think so."

"We can get you a bodyguard," I suggest.

"I don't think he'll do anything to me," she assures me, walking to the piano. "I might ask my brothers to pack my instruments and ship them to me. All of these belong to Porter."

"Are you going to tell your brothers about the baby?"

She remains quiet for a long time. "No. I think I'm cutting ties with everyone. Sure, I make some money by adding lyrics to their music, but I don't see the point in continuing a relationship that's been one-sided. I bet my parents would be better off if they had only had the twins. "

Is she right? She doesn't see what Porter did to her. He put a big wall between her and her family.

He isolated her and broke the bond she had with all of them.

Matt and Jacob adore her, and I'm sure if they knew… maybe I can hint at something?

There might be a way to get them to look at their sister and do something for her.

"We can start looking for a new place this weekend," I offer.

"You're the best friend in the world."