Page 77 of Bleeding Hearts

This time, I let out a genuine, unrestrained laugh, the sound echoing around me. “Trust me. She doesn’t.”

“I’m not going anywhere this time.” He gulps when my smile fades and my frown returns. “Eventually, I’ll convince her to trust me.”

“I sure as fuck hope not.” My voice drops to a near whisper as I take a step closer, careful not to let others catch our private conversation. “And if you value your life, you’ll run. Because I swear to god, if you hurt her again you won’t have one.”

I’ve never seen a chicken-shit turn and run so fast. He doesn’t even bother saying goodbye.

“What did you say that sent him running like his ass was on fire?” Aurora, the chief’s secretary, laughs as she stands to grabsomething from the printer. “I never liked him. I always thought your sister could do better.”

“She can.”

“Not that my opinion matters, but I like your new lady friend. She seems fun.”

Lowering my head, I try to shake away the smile threatening to break free, the corners of my mouth twitching. “I like her too. And she’s a lot of fun.”

“Then good for you.”

Chapter 36

Bethany

The garage door opens, and I stretch from my spot on Nolan’s couch. I was on the verge of going to bed when he called and asked if I could come over, sit at his house with the girls, while he ran to the hospital.

Duh.

The only light comes from the glowing television I’m watching. “How is she?”

He drops onto the couch by my feet and grunts. “She’s fine for now. Levi admitted her. She’ll have to stay until the baby’s born.” His head falls back onto the back of the couch. “I met the mother trucker who knocked her up. I didn’t realize he was in town or that she got in touch with him. He’s old.”

“How old?” I sit up so I can run my fingers along his tired face.

“In his late thirties, maybe forty. I’m not sure. But too old to be with my baby sister.” The frown lines on his face deepen. “And I had to listen to Rylee discuss his…” his hand motions to his crotch. “And then he told her he knew a good piercer. Those two are already getting along way too well, and I don’t like it.”

“What’s his name?”

“Geoff Taff. Rylee said he’s some CEO of a tech company. All I know is that he’s the asshat who had better not hurt Cora, or I’ll have to threaten him like I did Troy earlier this week.”

Reaching for my phone on the side table, I google Geoff Taff. “This him?”

He nods. “Yep. But he looks older now. Who are those guys next to him?”

With a click, the magazine photo fills my screen, and I zoom in. “Hold on. Are you saying that Cora’s baby daddy is the same Geoff my sister is about to introduce Felix to in a few days?”

With a puzzled frown, Nolan’s eyes narrow, signaling for me to elaborate.

“Alicia works for Jaxon.” I point to the guy in the middle. “Has since she left the force. This guy, Geoff, is meeting with Felix to discuss a possible summer internship.”

“No shit?” He runs a hand down his face. “So that means I have to play nice, so Felix doesn’t get screwed over because of me.”

“No. Because Jaxon wouldn’t allow that. He’s the one who set it up.” I click on the article and start reading. “Old, you say?”

“Did I stutter?”

I pinch under his arm, drawing a grunt of frustration from him. “What the fuck?”

Narrowing my eyes, I keep my face neutral. “He’s thirty-seven.”

“Like I said, old.”

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