Page 49 of Ruin
It belongs to the Iron Runners, and they’re going to want her and it back. She won’t be safe, not unless someone keeps her safe. Which is why a hotel or motel is out of the question. We don’t have ties anywhere else and I don’t know anyone outsideof this godforsaken town, so I can’t ask for a favor from a friend across the country.
She’s well and truly my problem now.
“I will swing by to check on her. I’ll be a phone call away if you need something.”
I hear his words but don’t take my attention off Anastacia. This is partially my fault. She’s in pain because of me. Sure, it was an accident. I didn’t mean to stumble into the desk and make her fall over. Thankfully, the baby is fine. But it may not stay that way if she doesn’t have someone helping her.
Glancing back at Lucian, I say, “Fine. I’ll meet you there.”
“You can ride with me,” he says firmly.
I smirk. “I need to take my bike.”
He smiles back, then he gets into the car, and I hop on my bike. I take off first, feeling him following behind me.
This is a mistake. I already know that. But making mistakes is what I do best. Maybe one day I’ll learn how to crawl out of the hole instead of making it deeper. For now, I’m going to make the best out of what I know.
It takes everything in me to stay calm as we get Anastacia into my house. All I can think about is cleaning everything, but Iprobably have to buy new cleaning products because I’ve heard there are some that aren’t good for pregnant people. I’m sure none of what I have or what I can get are actually good for her, because they aren’t good for anyone, meaning I’m going to have to take it easy.
This is going to be a disaster.
I have nothing here for her, and have no idea how I’m going to get any of that stuff, outside of buying it for her. I have the money, so that’s not an issue, but what the fuck does a pregnant woman need?
Lucian and I help her up the stairs and into the bedroom down the hall from mine. It’s the only other one in the house with an attached bathroom. I figure she’ll appreciate that, and it’ll keep her more contained to her own space.
“Are you okay?” Lucian asks Anastacia in a tone that tells you he’s a father and a doctor—that he actually cares about people. Except the ones who matter, it seems.
“Just tired,” she says.
“Are you okay to shower alone?” Lucian asks.
She smiles. “Yes, I’ll be okay. I’m feeling much better now.”
I glance at her clothes. They’re disgusting. She can not put those dirty things back on. I go to my room and dig around in my drawers for a T-shirt, sweatpants, and socks. They’ll be big on her, but at least they’re clean. I grab an extra bar of soap from the closet in my bathroom, too. It’ll have to do until I can get her some things of her own.
I bring everything to her bathroom and leave it on the counter.
“Take your time,” I say. “We’ll be downstairs when you’re finished.”
“I think I’ll sleep, if that’s okay.”
“Of course it’s okay,” Lucian adds with a smile. “If you need anything, just shout.”
We leave her alone, and I hurry down the hall and stairs to my living room, ready for him to be out of my space.
“I’ll pick up some things for her and drop them off in a little while. Do you have food here?” he asks.
I don’t answer, just hold his gaze. This is too much. I don’t know how I’m going to handle living with this girl, even if it’s temporary.
“I’ll bring groceries too, then.”
He steps closer to me, and I suck in a breath, both hating and loving the way he looks at me.
“Is there anything else you need, Kolton?” he asks, and I swear I hear the suggestive undertone.
Yes,I want to say.You.
I need you to handle all of this, because I can’t.
