“Do I seriously need to tell you not to check out my girl right now?” I glare at him.

“Sorry. It’s not that. She’s just so not your type.”

“Really?” I raise a brow at him, ready to put my fist in his face. “I’m pretty sure my kid growing inside of her tells you just how much of my type she is,” I say through my teeth. “Besides, you have your own woman,” I tell him, missing the way his jaw ticked.

“Leo, shut the f**k up. Don’t dig yourself any deeper. My cousin’s a little sensitive where Sophie is concerned,” Kenton says, walking up on our conversation. “You good man?” I lift my chin before looking in on Sophie again. “What do we know?” Kenton asks, looking at Leo.

I half-listen as he retells what happened and what Sophie told me. “How’d they get into the house?” I ask, focusing back on the conversation.

“There was no forced entry, so at this time, we’re unsure. Sophie said she locked the door when she entered her residence, but she never checked the back door to make sure it was secure as well.”

“Did anyone see anything or anyone?” Kenton asks.

“No one saw anything. The person who stopped the assault when he entered the residence didn’t see anyone but Sophie,” Leo says.

“So basically, we got nothing?”

“Afraid so. Unless you have someone you suspect, then we got nothing to go on,” Leo says.

I’m frustrated as fuck. This is not what we need right now. “Jesus, this is so fucked,” I growl. “This isn’t the first time someone has tried to break into her house, so this isn’t some random act,” I tell Leo.

“Yeah, I saw the previous report. She got any enemies?” Leo asks.

“No. No one.”

“Maybe an ex?”

“No, man. Nothing. There is no one in her past. She hasn’t even been in Tennessee long.”

“You sure she doesn’t have an ex? That’s normally the first person we suspect.”

“No one,” I repeat, starting to see red. This isn’t the first time I’ve thought about this shit, but no one stuck out to me. The only person who kept popping into my head was Sophie’s dad. “I need to make a call,” I say, looking between Kenton and Leo.

“Sure, man,” Kenton, says.

“Keep an eye on Sophie for me.”

He lifts his chin as I make my way to the side of the ambulance. I pull out my phone, find the number, and hit dial.

“Yello,” Justin answers, and I shake my head; this kid is a f**king mess.

“Justin.”

“You got me, daddio. Congrats on that, by the way,” he says cheerfully.

“Jesus, you guys really do love to f**king gossip.”

“We’re friends. Friends share happy news.”

“Can you stop yappin’ like a forty-year-old housewife for a second?” I run a hand over my head, my eyes dropping to my boots.

“What’s up, man? Talk to me.”

“Someone broke into Sophie’s old place while she was inside. I need you to do a background on her dad. I want everything.”

“Shit, man. Is she okay?”

“Yeah, she’s fine. A little shook up, has a scratch and a couple bumps, but for the most part, she’s okay.”

“Jesus, dude. Give me the name you want me to run,” he says seriously, a tone I rarely hear out of him.

“His name is William Grates, and his last known place of residence was Seattle, Washington. He’s Sophie’s dad, so maybe you can trace him that way.”

“I got this. I’ll call you later with what I find out. Just go be with your girl.”

“Thanks, man.”

“Later,” he says, hanging up.

I walk back to where Kenton and Leo are still talking and look inside the ambulance. When Sophie’s eyes meet mine, she gives me a small smile before turning back to talk to the EMT. Something about that smile lets me know that everything will be okay. I look back at Kenton and he nods. My cousin is crazy as fuck, and as long as he’s in my corner, I know Sophie will be safe.

“Get back here.” I pull Sophie back under me after she tries to roll away. “Where are you going?” I kiss the skin of her neck. My hand runs along her thigh, up under my shirt she has on, along the smooth skin of her stomach, and then up to cup her breast.

When we got home last night, I helped her shower—even though she insisted she was fine—and carried her to bed so I could hold her close. I haven’t let her out of my grip since.

“Oh,” she breaths, and I watch as her head tilts back, giving me better access to her neck.

“Sensitive?” I question, running my thumb across her nipple. Last night, she said that her ni**les were extra sensitive when I was washing her in the shower. She nods as I tilt her face towards mine so I can take her mouth in a deep kiss. “What about this one? Sensitive?” I ask, traveling my hand to her other breast, tugging on that nipple.

“Yesss…” she hisses out, pressing herself deeper into my hand. Her hand closest to me travels down my abs and grips my erection, pumping once before her thumb slides over my piercing at the tip. My h*ps automatically shift, wanting closer to her.

“What about this? Is it sensitive?” I ask, running a finger over her folds before dipping in and then circling a finger outside her entrance.

“Oh, please,” she cries, making me smile. Her head turns, her eyes open, and they lock on mine as her fingers dig into my bicep.

“How did I get so f**king lucky?” I lean forward, kissing her mouth before kissing her chin, each nipple, and below her belly button, where I kiss my child.

I look up at her, pulling one of her legs over my shoulder before licking her in one long stroke. She’s gotten sweeter since becoming pregnant. Her taste hits my mouth and I can’t hold back; I take her aggressively, burying my face in her pu**y until I can hear her screaming my name.

Chapter 11

“But where are you going? Where in Seattle? Have you ever even been here before?” Sophie asks in rapid-fire succession.

We got to Washington yesterday for her best friend’s wedding. I hate f**king lying to her, but there is no way I’m telling her that I’m going to meet her dad. She doesn’t even know he’s in prison, and the last thing I want right now is her worrying.

“Baby”—I finish tying my boot and grab her hand before sitting back so I can pull her onto my lap—“I go to cities I know nothing about at least once a month. Don’t worry about me. I won’t be gone long.” I run a hand down her back, the other lying over her stomach.

Her eyes go to her lap before meeting mine again. “I hate being away from you.”

“You’re safe here,” I tell her. Since the attack, she hasn’t left my side. I hate having her away from me, but because we’re so far away from Tennessee, I know I can relax a little.

“It’s not me I’m worried about.”

“I’m always safe. Besides, I’m not working. I just need to go out and pick something up.”

“What could you need to pick up in Seattle?” she asks, obviously frustrated.

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise. Now go back to sleep. You need your rest.”

“I’m not tired,” she huffs.

“I can see the bags under your eyes, Sophie. I know you’re tired.” I run my fingers under her jaw. Yesterday was a long day of traveling, and I pray we won’t have to do it again while she’s pregnant.

“Sheesh, you’re a charmer.” She shakes her head.

“You know you’re beautiful. Now stop being difficult and lay down. I’ll be gone three hours tops.”

“Okay, but you owe me cake—chocolate cake. Wait, no, chocolate cheesecake. No—just chocolate cake.” She bites her lip, and I burst out laughing, pulling her closer to me.

“How ‘bout I get you both? That way you don’t have to choose.”

“I’m going to be as big as a house by the time this is over.” She sighs.

“You will always be beautiful,” I assure her.

“Even if I weigh four hundred pounds?”

“Hell yeah,” I smirk. “Big girls are hot.”

“What?” she asks, searching my face.

“I don’t discriminate, babe.”

“You don’t?” she asks, her eyes narrowing.

This is one thing about Sophie being pregnant—she is moody as fuck. One minute, she’s happy-go-lucky, and the next, you would swear she’s possessed by the devil.

“I didn’t before you. Women of all shapes and sizes are beautiful.”

“I get that.” She nods, looking off in the distance before her eyes come back to me. “I totally feel that way about guys. You know, skinny, muscular, jock, nerd—they all have something I find attractive,” she says, and I growl deep in my throat. I do not ever want her to check men out…ever.

“You better not be checking dudes out,” I tell her, watching her try to hide her smile. “You f**king with me?”

“No. Why would I do that?” she asks innocently, batting her lashes.

“Just for that, when I get back and I’m inside you with you begging me to let you come, it’s not gonna happen.” I watch her breath pause before speeding up. “I should tie you up and torture you.” Her thighs tighten together and she squirms on my lap, rubbing against my dick, which is ready to go. “Seems like you like that idea,” I whisper against her neck before biting down on her earlobe. I slide my hand from her stomach to her thigh. “When I get back here, this is mine.” I run my finger up the center of the panties before pulling her in for a kiss. I end it quickly, knowing how fast things can get out of hand with her. “Be back soon.” I kiss her once more before picking her up off my lap and heading out the door.

“Be careful.”

“Always, baby,” I tell her, shutting the door behind me.

When I finally get to the prison and make it past security, I know I’m going to be late making it back to Sophie. Not only do I have this stop, but I have to pick up her ring from Tiffany’s. Maggie and Devon want me to ask her when they are there to see it. It’s f**ked up, but the only time I can do it is at their wedding. They’re leaving town in the morning to head out for their honeymoon.

I walk down a long hallway with phone booths and Plexiglas lining one side. “Wait here,” a guard says before going to stand near the door. I take a seat, watching as a man wearing an orange jumpsuit enters. He’s short with a stocky build, dark, greying hair that’s tied back into a ponytail, and a face that is weathered and aged. If not for eyes perfectly matching Sophie’s, I would have no idea that he’s her father. His eyes meet mine through the glass, and I can see the confusion on his face; I know he has no clue who I am or why I’m here. He sits down across from me and nods to the phone, lifting the one on his side to his ear as I do the same.

“I don’t know you,” are the first words out of his mouth.

“No, you don’t.”

“Why are you here?” he asks, his eyes looking me over.

“You and I have someone in common.”

“Since I’ve been here for the last almost eight years and you look like you’re young enough to be my son, I doubt that,” he says and starts to pull the phone from his ear.

“Sophie,” I say, and his face pales, his eyes go wide, and his grip on the phone tightens so much that his hand and knuckles turn white.

“What did you just say?”

“Sophie,” I repeat and watch as he leans back in his chair, his hand going to his mouth, covering it.

“How do you know Sophie?” he asks as his hand moves from his mouth to run over his head.

“She’s going to be my wife,” I tell him bluntly.

His eyes look me over again before narrowing slightly. “Not my daughter.” I’m slightly taken aback by the adamancy in his voice. “She’s a sweet girl.”

“She is,” I agree. “So tell me why the f**k you didn’t protect her?” Even though this isn’t my reason for being here, knowing the shit she went through after losing her mother, I had to ask him.

“I…I was lost.” He takes a breath.

“You were lost?” I repeat, wondering what the f**k that even means.

“After her mother died, I was lost. I tried to be a good dad, but I couldn’t even look at my own daughter without hating her.”

“What?” I growl.

“She looked just like her mom. I know it was f**ked up, but I hated looking at her and seeing my wife. Do you know how f**ked up it is to look at your only child and wish they would have died with their mother just so you wouldn’t have to see the disappointment in her eyes when she looks at you?”

“You’re one stupid motherfucker.” I shake my head in disgust, wishing the glass weren’t separating us.

“You think I don’t know that? You think I don’t regret the way I treated her?”

“I don’t think you do. You left her to the wolves.”

“I was f**ked in the head after losing my wife,” he says, shaking his head.

“I get that, man. I really f**king get that. I honestly don’t know what would happen if I lost Sophie, and I pray to God I’ll never have to know what that feels like, but if she left me with our child, I would always make sure my kid was safe. No way would I f**k my kid’s life up just to make mine easier to deal with.”