Chapter 28

28

"Y ou know you don't have to do this," May says as she zips up the red, slim-fitting, satin dress Hunter bought for this specific occasion.

Meeting his father.

And apparently, we have to go as an engaged couple. If we're officially together, then it will be harder for him to harm me. The people will have something to say, making it more difficult for him to get away with my murder.

May has been trying to talk me out of it for the past two days. It's something I need to do. This needs to be sorted. "I know, but it has to happen. The only way for all of this to go away is to come clean and make everything right. I want to get my mom to safety, and if this is how we're going to do it, I trust that Hunter and Landon will protect me."

The more I think about it, the more I need to tell May about the baby. She will know what I should do and how I tell Hunter.

Thankfully, there's currently no morning sickness, but if that starts, she will be concerned. I don't want her to worry more than she already does.

"May...I..." I pause, the words stuck in my throat.

My door slams open.

"Something is going on." Landon rushes in, a gun in his hand, and goes straight for my patio door. My stomach tightens, and a cold chill runs down my spine. His words strike fear through every bone in my body.

"What is it?" May asks, her face pale.

"We picked up someone on our security cameras. We put them up after what happened with Miles."

"Couldn't you see their face?" I rush over to where he stands.

His eyes dart around the surrounding areas, and he shakes his head. "Their head was down, and they kept to the shadows. Since the sun is setting, it is hard to make things out on the cameras."

"Where's Hunter?" Landon grabs my arm and swiftly yet gently pulls me behind him.

"He's gone to check it out."

Ignoring Landon, I snatch my arm from his grip and rush over to May. "It's all right. Everything will be fine."

"This is all too much," she says breathlessly, and I take her in my arms and hug her.

"It will all work out. You have nothing to worry about," I whisper in her ear.

Landon's phone rings, and he answers it swiftly. "Okay, not a problem," is all he says. His gun lowers, and he tucks it away in the back of his pants.

"Well, who is it?" I release May and face Landon.

Landon looks at me. "Come with me."

"Who is out there?" I ask again.

He strides to the door, pausing with his hand on the handle. "It's your father."

My eyes bulge. "Um...isn't he trying to take me to Hunter's father?"

Landon shakes his head.

I rub my head. A small pounding has started to throb. All the back and forth is too much.

"Just come."

"I will in a minute. Let me talk to May for a second." He eyes me skeptically. "Don't worry. I'll be out there in five minutes."

I need to tell May about the pregnancy. I need someone else to know. No, I need May to know. I'm going to need her in the days to come.

Landon nods, exiting the room.

"Are you okay about seeing my dad?" I ask.

May appears dazed, tears in her eyes. "It's been a long time since I've seen him." Her voice shakes.

"Do you want to see him?" My hands hold her shoulders.

The usual strength she portrays has evaporated. This is fragile May, not the woman I've become accustomed to being around.

"Yes, of course I want to. He's my son. Whatever has happened in the past is in the past. I only hope he can forgive me for what I've done to his family." Her head falls.

"May, look at me..." I wait for her eyes to meet mine. "What I'm about to tell you doesn't leave this room. Do you understand?"

She blinks.

"Do you understand?" I push.

"Yes, okay. What's wrong? Are you all right?" There's the May I know.

I release her arms, and my hand comes up and runs through my long, brown locks. I take a deep breath and release it slowly. "I'm...I'm pregnant."

Her mouth falls open. "What?" she practically screams.

"Shh...don't yell, or the boys will come rushing in here, and I don't want them to know. Well, Landon already knows, but Hunter doesn't." I blurt it all out so fast that it's a wonder it makes any sense.

May holds her hand up, stopping me. "Hunter is the father, and he doesn't know?" There's no missing the concern in her question.

"That's right. I can't tell him, or he won't let me be a part of all this and finally get everything sorted out. Hopefully, when I do tell him, it will be the start of a peaceful time between the families."

May takes my hands. "I'm so happy," she whispers before pulling me in for a hug.

"Please don't tell him, May."

"Your secret is safe with me." She grips my body tighter, then releases me. "How far along?"

I shrug. "I think it's very early on. Maybe five weeks? I'll get a checkup once things settle down and I'm a little further along."

"Okay. Oh my goodness. I'm going to be a great granny. I don't feel old enough for that." She giggles to herself.

"All right, let's go get this sorted," I say and turn toward the door. It's as though a weight has lifted off my shoulders.

Telling May was the right thing to do.

* * *

I feel sick.

There's a turbulent storm brewing within me, and unease sits in the pit of my stomach. My father is here. I don't know what to expect.

Is he going to be vile to me like he was when he rang me? Is he going to try to kill me?

The sliding door opens, and I sit at the dining table, my hands twisting together. The sun has completely set now, and darkness surrounds the house, but lights fill the home.

May's hand rests over mine as she sits on the chair beside me. I glance over at her, and she gives me a warm, calming smile. It still doesn't settle my nerves.

Hunter walks in, followed by the man who stood out in front of my apartment all those months ago, and Landon brings up the rear. He's not holding his gun, so there must not be a threat.

May stands and races over to her son. "Oh, Arthur," she cries out, wrapping her arms around a man who has seen better days and is in need of a good scrub in the shower.

His clothes are ripped in places, and a coat hangs over his frail-looking body. I didn't think he might be without running water and clothes in the cabin that Landon told me about.

I don't move, watching curiously as May and the man she called Arthur hug again. Hunter has made his way to me and stands behind my chair. His presence brings comfort, but a tumble of nerves still rolls about in my gut.

"Hello, Mother," he says, his voice deep and not threatening like it was over the phone.

"Why are you here?" Hunter doesn't beat around the bush. There's a harshness to his tone, and it sends a chill down my spine.

My eyes are glued to Arthur. His focus moves from May to where I sit and Hunter stands. I have a sudden urge to run or maybe shout. My fingers tap at the table, but Hunter's hand settles on my shoulder, and I stop.

"I've come to help get my wife." He rubs his hand up his arm, appearing nervous.

"We don't need your help," I lash out. Those familiar eyes burn into mine, and I stand so I don't appear scared, even though I'm fighting a battle of wits within me. "How dare you come here after threatening me?"

Arthur stands taller. "I did that because I needed you to go with Hunter. I wanted you scared enough that you would go and stay with him."

"So you'd rather me think you were the bad guy...like you wanted me dead?" I fold my arms across my chest.

"Yes. Because I knew Hunter had come to you. There was word on the street that Thomas Wolfe knew about you, and it was only a matter of time before they found you and took you, possibly punished you because of what happened to you and your sisters." His voice cracks at the mention of what could possibly happen to my sisters and me.

He's lost so much over the years—his wife, sons, and three daughters. I want so badly to be angry at him. "Was it you who called my workplace and also made a scene?" I raise my eyebrows.

"Yes," he responds.

"So, how do you think you can help us get Mom back?" I chew my bottom lip, waiting for his response.

"I assumed you had a plan, and I want in on it." He tugs on his coat and turns to Hunter. "You do have a plan, don't you?"

"We do," he clips.

"Can I help? I really want to get my wife back." Arthur clears his throat.

"You could come and be backup if we need you. If my father spots you, it could turn everything in the wrong direction," Hunter cautions, rubbing a hand through his hair and squeezing the back of his neck. It's clear the stress of this is weighing on him.

"Okay. I'll do anything," my father eagerly agrees.

Hunter nods. "Landon will fill you in on what's going on." Hunter gestures to Landon, who steps forward.

"Thank you." Arthur goes to leave, then stops, turning to face me. "I am sorry for scaring you. You have grown into a beautiful young woman. I hope you have it in your heart to forgive me."

I open and close my mouth twice. Nothing wants to come out. Arthur doesn't wait for a response before he turns and follows Landon outside.

When the house is finally clear, I drop back into the chair. A breath I didn't realize I was holding pushes between my lips. "This is too much," I whisper to myself. I have no idea how I'm going to get through this.

With each new revelation, a small piece of my old self chips away. I'm tougher than this, or so I thought.

I want to change things, but at what cost?

I want Hunter to take charge, but is my heart worth the risk?

Hunter crouches beside me. "Are you all right?"

I glance up. This man is a force to be reckoned with. He's gentle yet demanding. Powerful, yet will submit to me. Would he break if something happened to me?

"I'll be okay. Let's go get my mother back and put this matter behind us." I stand on wobbly legs and steady myself with the table. May rushes over to me, and Hunter takes my arm.

"You're clearly not okay. I can reschedule this," Hunter says, his face coming into my view.

I rise higher and push aside all my fears and doubts. This needs to happen. I want it over with. "Let's get this done," I press.

"Okay, then there's one final thing we need to do to sell that this..." he gestures between us, "... is a real thing."

"Isn't it a real thing already?" I ask, hurt by his reference to our relationship.

We haven't really discussed our relationship. I guess I shouldn't have assumed that we were an actual couple.

Hunter stares at me. It's as if he's trying to read my mind. "I...uh..."

"It's fine. This doesn't have to be anything," I quickly say, needing to deflect from my feelings.

Silence fills the room.

"I think I'll leave you two to talk," May interjects, heading down the hallway.

I wish I could run away as easily.

"So you want to have the talk?"

"No." My short response causes him to jerk back slightly.

"Little Red, we were always going to be more. I love you, Little Red." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a little red velvet box.