Fast: A Pregnant by the Bad Boy Romance (Burns Brothers Book 2) Read online

  Austin’s scowl swung from me to James. “I thought we had an understanding.”

  James’ face turned a mottled red as the camera swung from me and Austin to James. “I didn’t say anything contrary to the contract.”

  We’d all had a conversation before negotiating the contract with the Urban channel and agreed that their manipulating of us behind the scenes couldn’t happen if we went ahead with the show. The shark Austin hired made sure it was clearly stated in the contract.

  I snorted. “Your opening line was ‘Austin tells me…’ You’re a fucking liar. I’m sure the boys here can play it back for you if you’re having a hard time remembering.”

  James scowled and shook his head slightly.

  “There’s two ways this can end, James.” Austin rocked back on his heels as a cocky expression stretched across his face. “You can apologize to me and Ryan and promise it won’t happen again. Or I can get my lawyer on a conference call with the network. And I think we both know how that’s gonna end up.”

  The red in James’ face deepened to an almost purple hue. His body vibrated, but not a single sound left him.

  Austin and I exchanged a look.

  I lifted a shoulder. “I guess we call Evan then.”

  “I’m sorry.” The words sounded like they were ripped from James’ throat. “I shouldn’t have implied that Austin was talking behind your back.”

  “And?” I asked as I raised my eyebrows.

  “And it won’t happen again.”

  The camera guy and boom operator exchanged amused expressions.

  “You guys got all that?” Austin asked.

  The camera guy gave us a thumbs up.

  Austin raised his chin. “Okay. We appreciate it. And I want a copy of this recording.”

  “Wha—” James’ eyes widened. “I said what you wanted.”

  “And I don’t want you trying to act like this didn’t happen. You only get two strikes with me. Fuck up like this again and you’re gone. End of story.”

  The camera guy swung the camera off his shoulder and hitched a shoulder. “That’s fine. It’s not like we can use what’s on here anyhow.”

  “Thanks, you got my email address? You gonna send it to me there?” Austin waited for James’ tight nod of acknowledgement before turning to me. “You good, Ry?”

  “Fantastic.” It always felt good when my brothers had my back.

  “Great. See you all mañana. Later, bro.”

  And then Austin was gone. No doubt to send a little email to our lawyer—I knew how Austin worked. He’d want everything documented. But he left me in the awkward position of facing the crew we’d just kinda/sorta screwed over.

  “I guess that means filming is over for the night? See you guys tomorrow. Great working with you.” I put my hand out to shake the crews’ hands.

  “Will.” The camera guy said as we shook.

  “Liam.” The sound guy told me.

  James, however, refused to shake and turned his back to stomp out of the shop.

  I shook my head. “Great way to start off filming. Hopefully tomorrow goes better. Thanks for the help, guys.”

  “Anytime.” Will laughed. “It was awesome to see James put in his place. Can’t wait to see what you guys do tomorrow.”

  “Should be interesting,” Liam murmured.

  I waved to the guys and got the hell out of there. I wasn’t one to run from a fight, but I wanted to see my girl. And maybe make sure that James wasn’t slashing my tires in the parking lot.

  “Ryan!” Aunt Wendy shouted from down the hall.

  Fuck. So close.

  “You’ve been ducking me, boy-o.” She all but yelled as she walked out of Sabrina’s office. Her ombre blue hair shone under the fluorescent lights. “Don’t think that I don’t know what that means.”

  I cringed. There were few people on this earth that I was honestly afraid of, but Wendy was one. She had a way of making me feel three inches tall when she was disappointed in me. And she was definitely disappointed now. My mind spun with the possible things she’d found out about. The fight with the producer just now. Seeing my dad. The rift with the West Coast Kings MC. Hope. The baby.

  I had too much drama going on right now.

  Sabrina stood in her doorway and widened her eyes at me, like I’d know what that meant.

  “Holy crap, do you have that many pans on the fire that you can’t figure out which one I’m talking about?” Wendy raised her eyebrows. “We definitely need to talk more.”

  Sabrina cleared her throat. “I’m really sorry, Ry. It just kinda slipped out.”

  I closed my eyes with a muttered curse. Today had been an exercise in anger management. I took a deep breath then gave Sabrina a small smile. “It’s fine, Sabby. The news was bound to come out sooner than later. Can’t exactly keep it under wraps forever, ya know?”

  Sabrina’s eyes widened and she shook her head furiously. She opened her mouth to say something when Aunt Wendy elbowed Sabby in the stomach.

  “You were saying, Ryan?” Wendy asked with a wicked grin. “What news was bound to come out eventually?”

  I took a beat and thought before I answered. Better to give a little than to spill everything. “I assume Sabrina told you about my new girlfriend.”

  “Girlfriend?” Wendy grinned. “I had no idea you lovebirds were that far along. Sabrina told me you were dating someone, but I didn’t know you were exclusive already.”

  I sighed with relief then shrugged. “When you know, you know. You know?”

  “Not even slightly.” Wendy rolled her eyes dramatically. “But that’s beside the point. I missed meeting her at Austin’s party since I was working. When are you bringing her to dinner at the diner?”

  Wendy ran Bette’s Diner. We’d practically been raised there—when we weren’t terrorizing our neighborhood. But still I hesitated. This was the beginning of the whole meet the parents dance. Was I ready for that? Was Hope? “I’ll see if we can swing by this weekend.”

  “Tonight. I’m meeting her tonight. You’ll bring her to dinner.”

  “I’ll try, but I’ve got to ask her. I don’t know if she’s got plans.” I knew she didn’t, but this was easier than arguing with Wendy when she got in one of her mama bear moods.

  “Fantastic. I’ll see you lovebirds in a few hours. Bye, Sabrina. Love you both.”

  “Bye.” Sabrina and I both echoed before silently watching as she walked down the hall and left through the front entrance.

  The minute the door closed behind Wendy, Sabrina whirled around. “I am so, so sorry. I thought she knew about Hope. It’s not like it was a secret, right? You brought her to Austin’s party, and that was weeks ago. I would’ve thought someone had brought it up to her by now.”

  “Holy shit. I almost told her about the baby.”

  “I know. I know. I’m sorry. I was trying to tell you not to spill all the beans, but Mom has a pointy elbow.”

  “I just…I need some time. Hope needs some time. She hasn’t even told her dad that we’re dating, let alone that I knocked her up. Can you imagine the shitstorm that’ll rain down on us when the fucking president of the West Coast Kings finds out that his daughter is pregnant with my baby? I can’t… We still have to figure out what we’re gonna do—how Hope wants to tell him.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. But you’ve gotta know that that secret is safe with me. I will never tell anyone about the baby.” She crossed her arms low over her stomach. Right over the place her baby would’ve grown.

  “Fuck. I’m sorry, Sabby. I forgot—”

  “No. Don’t. It’s fine.” She shook her head but the tears welling in her eyes belied her words.

  I reached out and pulled her into my arms. Sabrina was rigid at first but after a few beats, she burrowed into my embrace. A few sobs left her, and I just held on. Tears stung my eyes as I thought about all that she’d gone through on her own. Her, Dylan, and I were the three amigos. I still didn’t understand why she hadn’t co
me to me when she was going through all that.

  But it wasn’t my place to ask her. It wouldn’t solve anything and would only make her feel guiltier. I just wanted her to know that I’d always be there for her.

  After another few minutes, it sounded like the storm had tapered off. I pulled back slightly and looked down at her. “You gonna be okay?”

  She made a face then smiled. “I’m fine. It just hits me sometimes. What could’ve been you know?”

  “I know exactly what you mean.” I thought about that breakfast with my dad and all that Dylan had done for him. I’d been suspicious about the old man but because of Dylan I’d tried. What would our childhood have been like if the old man wasn’t such a monster? What would life with our mother have been like? Those questions had haunted my childhood.

  After making sure everything was really okay with Sabrina, I gave her one last hug and then was out the door.

  Where I tripped over my dad in the parking lot.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” I hissed.

  “Are you fucking kidding me? That uppity Wendy Wagner works here, and you guys can’t give me a fucking job? I’m your flesh and blood. Fuck, I gave you life.”

  “Wendy is family. She’s the only fucking mother I’ve got because you killed the one who actually gave me life.” I shouted back.

  And then it hit me. Why’d he think that Wendy worked here? “How long have you been skulking in the shadows here?”

  “Long enough, boy. Long enough to see some shit. Long enough to know that you’re not as golden as you think you are.”

  My blood froze. He knew. Hope. The baby. The Kings. He knew.

  I had him by the throat against the building before I even knew I’d moved. “You will not say a fucking thing. You will not breathe her name, let alone be anywhere fucking near her. You think you can fuck with my life? I will end you.”

  The old man gasped and clawed at my hands wrapped around his throat, but I wasn’t letting go.

  “You think you’re some big badass? I can have you back in prison with a fucking snap of my fingers. You will not fuck with me and mine!”

  “Ryan!”

  For the second time a woman was shouting my name, but I didn’t let go and I didn’t look away from the piece of shit I dangled in my hands.

  Sabrina pounded on my back. “Stop. Ryan. Stop! You’re killing him.”

  I let him go and took a step back, blocking Sabrina from seeing him. The old man sagged against the building, his face a mottled purple.

  “He’s not dead. He just needed to know that I mean business.” I snarled. “Now get your ass out of here.”

  Sabrina gasped. “I don’t think—”

  “Not you. Him. Go on. Get your ass out of here.”

  He scrambled to his feet and glared at me. His voice was raspy when he spoke. “Don’t think this is over.”

  “It can be.” A vicious smile curved my lips. “With one little call, I can make your life hell and end this for you. It’s up to you. Feel like being Tiny’s little bitch again? I bet he’s missed you.”

  “You little fucker. You think you’re so big. I can—”

  “What was your parole officer’s name again?” I whipped my phone out of my pocket. “I bet I could Google it in nothing flat.”

  George glared at me then turned and disappeared into the shadows. I waited a beat then heard the rattle of his shitty Crown Vic as he tried and failed to rev the engine angrily.

  Sabrina spun around and glared up at me. “What the hell was that? You almost killed him.”

  “He knows. He said he knew that I wasn’t golden. He knows about Hope, the baby, the Kings.”

  “I dunno, Ryan. That seems like a big leap.”

  “You didn’t hear what he sounded like when he said it. Or what he said about your mom. He knows shit he shouldn’t, Sabrina. He’s pissed that his kids have built an empire and have left him out in the cold. And he all but threatened to use what he’s got on me to get a piece of it.”

  “Shit. What are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Chapter 21

  Hope

  My phone flashed with a text alert.

  Sage: You busy?

  Instead of replying, I called him.

  He answered on the third ring, “’lo.”

  “Hey Sage.” I tried to put a peppy note in my voice because I was tired. I seemed to always be tired lately. “What’s going on? I haven’t heard from you in a while.”

  “Nothing.” He sounded so down.

  I couldn’t let it go. He wouldn’t have reached out if he didn’t want to talk about it. “Sounds like something’s going on. Maybe it would help to talk about it? You know I’m always gonna be on your side. I’m your sister.”

  “It’s stupid. It’s nothing.”

  “Come on, buddy. Tell me.”

  “Fine.” He huffed. “There’s this girl in my class, Samantha. I really like her. She’s cute and nice and whatever. Anyway, I was sitting at lunch all by myself—waiting for my friends to show up—and I had an ear bud in, listening to music. I guess Samantha came up and tried to talk to me, but I didn’t see her. Or hear her. So I guess she went back to her friends and told them that I was on drugs or something because I was so spaced out. But I wasn’t. I swear. You know I wouldn’t, Hope.”

  “I believe you.”

  He gave a shaky sigh. “Thanks. But I guess no one else at school believes me because it was all over school. Everyone was talking about it. Now everyone thinks I’m a druggie or something. My life is over.”

  He groaned and then there was a thump like he’d plopped onto his bed.

  “All right. So let’s break this down. She spread a rumor at school about you because you ignored her?”

  “Kinda. I guess.”

  I sighed. “Honestly, she doesn’t sound like a great girl. I’m sure she’s cute, but she doesn’t sound like a good friend, let alone girlfriend. Do you really want to be with someone who would say that kinda crap about you?”

  “No.” He huffed. “I guess you’re right.”

  “And I know it feels like the end of the world, but it should all blow over soon. Someone else will trip and drop their lunch tray or something and everyone will be talking about them.”

  “Maybe.”

  I reclined back on the sofa and tried to relax my tense shoulders. I dreaded what I had to say next, but I had to tell him—I couldn’t go behind his back. “Now I know you don’t do drugs, Sage, but I have to let Mom know what’s going on.”

  “What? No, Hope. Please? She’ll be so pissed.”

  “She won’t. I swear. She knows you too. But she needs to know this is going on. If this gets back to the other kids’ parents, it could snowball into insanity. And I know Mom will take your side. She’ll understand, buddy. I swear.”

  “Fine.” The word sounded like I’d dragged it out of him.

  “It will be fine. I swear.” I smiled and shook my head. Man, you couldn’t pay me to be a kid again. I was so glad all that angst and drama was behind me. “So what else is going on? Do you like your classes?”

  Sage’s voice sounded brighter as he talked about school and their upcoming field day. I think I calmed him down about the situation. It was kinda ridiculous, but I remembered being that age. How everything was dramatic and life or death.

  “All right. You know I love you, buddy?”

  “Yeah.” I could practically hear the eyeroll on his end.

  “Good. I still need to talk to my boss, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to take some time off this summer and come see you. I miss our burger hangouts.”

  “Me too. And maybe you could take me shopping? Mom keeps trying to get me to wear skinny jeans.” He dropped to a whisper. “I hate skinny jeans.”

  I laughed. “Sure. I bet we could team up and convince her of the evil of skinny jeans.”

  “Thanks. I don’t want to look like a douche.”

  I choked and
more laughter spilled out of me. Pretty sure I shouldn’t let him talk like that, but I wasn’t his parent. That was Mom and Cal’s job. Besides he was right.

  “All right. I gotta get ready for dinner. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

  “’Kay. Thanks, Hope.”

  “Love you, buddy. Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  I grinned down at my phone. He was a funny little brat sometimes. But then the smile fell off my face as I realized what I had to do next.

  I had to call my mom.

  Biting the bullet, I pulled up her contact info and called her.

  She answered before it even rang on my end. “Hope?”

  I couldn’t speak for a moment. I didn’t know how to start this, and apparently my throat wasn’t working.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I, erm, yeah, Mom. I’m here.”

  “It’s so good to hear your voice, sweetie.”

  It didn’t sound like a dig, but it felt like one. I knew I’d been ducking her calls lately. “I talked to Sage and uh, there’s some stuff going on that I think you need to know about.” She listened as I recounted what Sage had told me. “You know how it is with kids. This has the potential to snowball, and I wanted you to know what’s going on. Sage isn’t on drugs. He’s not that kid.”

  “I know, honey. Thanks for telling me. I’ll have a talk with him and be on the lookout for…all this.” She paused for a second then cleared her throat. “Hope, I don’t know what’s going on in your life right now, and I know it’s partly my fault. I miss you. I missed hearing your gorgeous voice. I miss this—laughing about the crazy stuff your little brother has gotten up to. I just… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry that I didn’t take you moving to live closer to your father better. I was afraid.”

  I gulped, not sure how to reply to that.

  She sighed. “He’s not a nice man, and I was worried because that’s what mothers do. I wanted to protect you, but you’re a grown woman who can make decisions for herself. So I’m trying. I want to know about your life. Everything that’s going on. The boys, I’m sorry, the men you’re dating. Your job. I just miss you.”