Page 10 of Rescuing Ryder

“If you give this a chance, I give you my word, I won’t bother you again. As long as it’s not a half-assed attempt like in the past; you make the appointments and do the work. Then I’ll leave you alone to travel the damn road you’re hell-bent on taking,” Tex negotiated.

“How long do you plan on staying?” he asked.

“I’ll stay until you arrive. I won’t interfere in any way besides getting your medical records here tonight. As soon as you give me your word, I’ll transfer them to Matthew’s office.”

“Who’s Matthew? I thought Dr. Meyers and Dr. Winters needed them.” Ryder paced his living room.

“He’s a friend of mine. They have a security team on the mountain. Their setup seems quite impressive. They help train veterans who want to work in the private sector. I told you this place feels different.”

“Fine. I’ll fly out. I’ll ask Wolf and Ice if they can drive me to the airport,” he stated, resigned.

Tex barely contained his smile. “You won’t regret it.”

“Yeah.” He disconnected the call and placed Ice’s phone on the table. He slammed his fists on the counter, not understanding how or why Tex bothered talking him into this asinine plan. Recalling the gun he loaded before Ice called, something made him hesitate. Closing his eyes, he swallowed down the guilt at almost wanting something to give him a reason or a will to carry on. A pair of emerald, green eyes floated in his mind, belonging to the sassy blonde. She already determined him a lost cause, then why did he need to prove her wrong?

Wolf and Ice walked into the apartment with worried expressions.

“Wolf?”

“Yeah?” he answered.

“Can you drive me to the airport?” Ryder bit out.

“Absolutely.”

Tex openedthe door to Dr. Winters’ office. The trio chatted in the hallway while Kassie rocked a baby in her arms.

“I can’t believe you did it. He agreed to come,” Tex informed them. “He’s asking a friend to drive him to the airport.”

Chase shook his hand. “Then we need to have his records sent. Kassie, can you call the pilot and set everything up?”

“Yes, I’ll call and see if Maddie and Joe can spend the night watching the girls. I want to tuck them into bed. Maddie’s chomping at the bit to stay overnight with the baby,” she reminded him. “I’ll return once they're down for the night.”

Chase kissed his daughter’s head and his wife. “Why don’t you stay home? We can start the process, and I can catch you up when I return home.”

“We have an hour to convince him to stay. I’m not losing a minute. We need a plan in place by the time he lands. Catherine can handle the day shift tomorrow and I’ll sleep in,” Kassie murmured.

Claire walked with Kassie to her office and into the connecting nursery, where she gathered the baby items and diaper bag. Claire reached out for the baby and cuddled her while Kassie gave the instructions to the pilot and texted her husband. When she finished, she tossed her phone in her bag.

“At this rate, this kid will never know a moment of sleeping in her bassinet,” she laughed.

“I can’t believe how much she favors you and Em. She’s a beautiful baby,” Claire cooed to the infant.

“She’s the perfect baby. She reminds me of Em as a baby. How did you know he’d take the bait and come? I hid my shock when you left the room.”

Claire smiled. “The man has given up. He’s tired of feeling out of control. It’s the one thing we gave him, a choice.”

“But how did you know he’d agree to it?” Kassie asked as she took the baby and placed her in the car seat.

“I didn’t.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Patch rested his head against the leather seat. The pilot informed him they’d land in thirty minutes. He shook his head, still surprised he even entered the jet. Because it landed at a private airport, Wolf and Ice waited with him. A steward fetched him from the private area once the plane completed fueling. Ice stood up and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Good luck,” she whispered.

“Thanks, Ice,” he murmured.

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