Page 40 of Redeem Me

I get a jolt of adrenaline at the thought of Natasha wearing my ring. We never got that far in our first engagement. Ollie died two days after the date was set and before any planning could start.

This time, I’ll be smarter and not only with the wedding and avoiding mistakes. I need to be on my guard for what Alec Brennan might do once he learns the club won’t help make him Banta City’s next king.

NATASHA

The next two days go by so quickly. Petra and I catch up. Our kids play. We share several meals with the family. Other times, we’re alone at the house while the others are in town. I learn the names of the new staff. The kids explore the estate’s massive grounds.

Siobhan visits with her girls and another time with Hunter. I cry a lot during the second visit. I’ve missed my friends so much. Hunter is also upset to learn I lived so close and suffered so much without reaching out to her.

“I didn’t know how to keep the babies and come home.”

Despite Hunter nodding as if she understands, her feelings remain hurt. After all, I trusted Siobhan, and we both kept her in the dark for two years.

Like with my family, I can’t simply wave away what’s happened. Only time and patience will rebuild what was destroyed when Ollie died and I fled my life.

However, I’m already feeling more like my old self after less than a week back in Banta City. I might be trapped at the estate, but my injuries have improved. I sleep better. I’m less shell-shocked over Andrew’s death and returning home. Life makes sense.

I’ve soon created a routine with the kids. They practice speaking in Czech with my mother at mealtimes. Everyone gets a kick out of how Jacinda still grabs hold of Leon’s finger whenever he’s standing nearby. Roman and Maks don’t ignore the children as much as when I first returned. Everyone seems to be moving past the earlier awkwardness.

Two days after Bear showed up with his demands, I bring Hector and Jacinda to his home. With security at the wheel, I sit in the back seat of the SUV and talk to the kids about how to be sweet to cats.

“They don’t like to be picked up,” I stress. “You have to be gentle or they’ll run away.”

The kids nod as they stare wide-eyed out the windows. They’re very excited to meet the cats. Even after visiting the horses and meeting my mother’s prized greyhounds, they can’t stop talking about Bear’s cats.

His house is located in the same picturesque neighborhood as Siobhan’s. I’m so excited at the prospect of living close to my best friend. If we can get Hunter hooked up, she might move from her swanky new downtown condo to this neighborhood.

Bear’s massive rustic house is situated on a large lot behind black security fencing. I’m startled by the sheer size of the property. The line of SUVs pulls through the front gate and parks in the wide driveway.

“Bear,” Jacinda says as soon as her little feet reach the ground. “Grr...”

“Yep, that’s me,” Bear says, strolling over and sounding annoyed. “Just a big fuzzy animal.”

“This is Abby Cadabby,” she says, lifting her doll for him. “She’s my friend. She’s a Muppet. I am Muppet, too.”

“You’re a Muppet?”

Hector hurries to stand with his sister and lifts his Kermit. “We Grover.”

Bear looks at me before his gaze flashes around, taking in the sight of my security detail. I didn’t need so many armed men back when I ran around town with Siobhan and Hunter. One or two were enough, but things have changed. Likely because I’m still considered a flight risk. Or maybe there’s more going on in Banta City than I’m privy to.

When Bear’s gaze focuses on me, he searches for something. The biker refuses to offer me a clue to what he’s thinking, so I explain what doesn’t need explaining.

“Their old last name was Grover. They think they’re part of the Muppet family.”

Bear frowns like my words are stupid. I instantly feel scolded and insecure. I’d been so excited about seeing him. We’re getting married. I’m so desperate to love Bear O’Malley. He can be mine.

Yet, as he frowns at the Muppets explanation, I feel myself pulling away and hardening my heart. I hear Ollie’s voice in my head. He loved me. I promised to protect him. We were friends in a way I wasn’t with anyone else.

Tears fill my eyes as I remember how this sexy beast in front of me was the one to pull the trigger and end my friend.

Bear squats in front of the kids, still wearing that scowl. He points at the dolls and then at the kids’ happy faces.

“You can’t be Muppets. You’re going to be O’Malleys. We live here, not Sesame Street.”

The kids don’t understand. They look at the house and then at me.

“You can be Muppets anyway,” I say, holding a grudge again.

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