by BE Kelly
“I’m on my way, Sis,” Reaper said. “I’m going to hang up with you and call Rios and the guys,” he said.
“You won’t need to, Reap. When Ringer shifted, he would be able to communicate with his whole pack. It’s a shifter thing. They’re probably on their way.” That was the only thought keeping her sane at the moment. Sophie knew that the guys would show up once they got Ringer’s distress call.
“Thank fuck,” Reaper said. “Stay put and don’t open that door, Soph,” he ordered.
“I won’t,” she agreed. She could hear other men’s voices downstairs and knew that calvary had arrived. “I think Perdition is here,” she said. There was a banging on her bedroom door and Sophie heard Ringer shouting her name. “He’s okay,” she whispered.
“Are you sure it’s him?” Reaper questioned.
“Yes,” she said. Sophie climbed out of the tub and unlocked the bathroom door. “Open this fucking door, Honey,” Ringer ordered. She smiled at the way he was still barking orders at her, even from the other side of a locked door.
“I’m sure it’s him,” she said. Sophie unlocked the bedroom door and Ringer pushed his way into the room, wrapping her in his arms. “You’re okay,” she said.
“Yeah,” Ringer breathed. “Thank God you’re safe. I’m so sorry, honey,”
“We’re both fine,” she said, rubbing her belly. “Who were those men?”
“They aren’t anyone for you to worry about,” he whispered.
“Those two men were in my kitchen and they threatened to hurt you. I’d say I have every right to know who the hell they were,” she shouted.
“Um guys,” Reaper said through her cell phone. “I’m still on the line. You want to tell me what the fuck is going on, Ringer?”
Ringer sighed and released Sophie. “They were hunters. They are part of an MC who keeps an eye on shifters, namely Perdition’s shifters. They were here because I’ve been tagged as a part of the pack now. When I shifted, they picked up on me and now, I’m being tracked. They were here giving me a warning, a heads up—hell, I’m not sure what they’re calling their little visit.”
“What did you do to them?” Sophie whispered.
“Nothing,” Ringer admitted. “God, I wanted to rip them in two. My wolf was itching to do just that but I was able to control him. I’m not sure how, but I was able to reign him in—barely.”
“Are they still here?” Sophie whispered as if she worried that they were and they would overhear them talking.
Ringer chuckled and pulled her in for a quick kiss. “No, Honey,” he said. “I think they got the message loud and clear. Some of the guys from Perdition showed up, to back me up and they left. Well, Trace threw them out, but you get the picture.”
“There’s no need for you to come over here then, Reaper,” Sophie said.
“I’m already here,” Reaper said, standing in the bedroom doorway. “Your kitchen looks like a tornado went through it.”
Ringer grimaced, “Yeah. I wasn’t very careful about shifting. I’m just learning how to control all of this.”
Reaper walked into their bedroom and pulled Sophie against his side. “You all right, Sis?” he asked.
“I’m fine, Reaper,” she insisted. She knew how her older brother felt about Ringer’s being a shifter. It would probably always be a point of contention between the two of them.
“You haven’t seen the kitchen yet,” Reaper countered.
“I don’t give a fuck about my kitchen,” Sophie shouted. “All I care about is that the three of us are all right.” She reached for Ringer and he pulled her back into her arms.
“Right,” Ringer agreed. “We appreciate you coming over so fast though, man.” Ringer patted Reaper’s shoulder and he shrugged his hand off.
“Don’t fucking brush me off, Ringer. You can’t just sweep my concerns under the rug. She’s my little sister.” Reaper sounded like he was accusing Ringer of something and Sophie didn’t like his tone.
“This is who we are, Reaper,” Sophie said. She stepped between Reaper and her husband as if trying to shield him from her brother. “Ringer is a shifter and our son will be a shifter too, whether you like it or not. It’s just the way things are. You can’t change them and coming into my house and trying to make my husband feel bad about who he is—well, that’s just a shit move.”
“I get that you’ve accepted who Ringer is, Soph,” Reaper soothed. “As for your baby, you don’t know if he’ll be a full shifter or not yet. What if he comes out and is completely human?”
“He’s not,” Sophie said. “Ringer feels him.”
“What do you mean, feels him?” Reaper asked.
“It’s almost like I can communicate with him,” Ringer said.
“That doesn’t mean anything,” Reaper challenged. “Maybe you’re just sensing him because he’s your son. Doesn’t mean he’s a shifter.”
“Would that be so awful?” Sophie challenged. “If our son does turn out to be a shifter—would that be so awful?”
“That’s not what I’m saying, Soph,” Reaper defended. “What I’m trying to say is that you and the baby aren’t safe around Ringer when he shifts,” Ringer growled and took a step towards Reaper. Sophie held her arm across his chest as if she’d have any chance of stopping him from going after her brother.
“Who the fuck you think you are?” Ringer shouted. “I’d never do anything to hurt Soph or our baby.” Ringer reached around her body and palmed her belly.
“I’m not saying you’d do it intentionally,” Reaper almost whispered.
“You need to go, Reaper,” Sophie said. “I’m tired and as you pointed out, we need to put the kitchen back together.” She coldly walked past her brother and down the hallway. Sophie thought about walking back into the bedroom and demanding her brother take back what he had just said but she thought better of it. Sophie would clean the kitchen and then she was going to take a nap the rest of the world’s shit would just have to be put on hold.
She heard the front door close and assumed that Reaper finally left. She had the kitchen half-way cleaned by the time Ringer came downstairs. “Hey—about time you show up to help. I need help turning the table over.”
“Soph,” Ringer whispered. He wouldn’t look at her, no matter how Sophie stared him down. Ringer focused on the cluttered floor and she knew he wasn’t going to like what he was about to say.
“Ringer, don’t,” she said. “I’m tired and I feel about ready to drop. Let’s just finish this up and we can talk after I take a nap.” God, she hoped he wouldn’t hear the defeat in her voice. She could hear it, but Ringer still refused to look up at her.
“He’s right, you know? Reaper’s right,” he whispered.
“About what, exactly?” she questioned.
“About everything. I can’t keep you and the baby safe. Hell, I have no idea how to control any of this and it would kill me if anything happened to either of you.” Ringer chanced a look up at her and she could see the upset and sadness in his eyes. Sophie could also see the determination too and that scared her. Ringer was one of the most stubborn people she knew. If her husband had already made up his mind, he wouldn’t listen to anything she had to say.
“So, that’s it then? You’re just going to leave us?” Sophie asked, guessing what was coming next.
“Soph,” he said, reaching for her. She took a step back from him, staying just out of his reach. “I’ll always take care of you—both of you. You don’t have to worry about anything.”
Sophie’s laugh was mean. “Sounds good, Ringer. You’ve already worked it all out then? You’ll what—send us a monthly check? Is that all we’ll be to you?”
“No,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be like that, Soph. I’m trying to do the right thing here. I’m trying to protect you and our son.”
“Yeah—got it,” she barked. “Thanks for thinking about us. Just let me know where you land and I’ll keep an eye on the mail for the monthly check.” She threw down th
e broom she was using and brushed past him. She didn’t look back at her husband. She couldn’t because if she did, she wouldn’t make it up the stairs and to their bedroom. She’d beg him to give her another chance. She’d beg Ringer to change his mind but that would be a waste of time. He had already checked out and no amount of pleading would stop him from leaving.
Ringer
Ringer sat in the corner at the bar, nursing the same beer he had been drinking for the past hour. Tito’s was unusually slow tonight and he had the good fortune of everyone leaving him the fuck alone. Honestly, the guys were probably going out of their way to avoid him, given his sour mood. But, that was all on him. He was the one who had walked away from the best thing to ever happen in his life. Well, the two best things—Sophie and his kid. He did what he had to do. Now, the fucking hunters would come after him and leave his woman and son alone. He would just have to find a way to make peace with the fact that he’d miss seeing his baby born or being a father to him. Hell, he wanted to be a good father to his son. His father had fallen short of being that for him and all he could think about was being better than his old man. There would be no way he’d be good for them now—either of them. Sophie and his son would find a way to go on without him and they’d be better off for it. Reaper was right about one thing—he wouldn’t be able to keep them safe if hunters were able to track him down. Sophie would never leave his side, even with her promise to keep the baby safe. She would be staying with him and fighting by his side to the bitter end, risking both her and their unborn son to try to save Ringer.
The front door opened and Ringer watched as a hulk sized man crowded into the bar. He’d know the guy anywhere—Tank and if he was betting, Reaper would be right behind him. The two crowded into the bar and looked around. He knew that they were looking for him but he just didn’t give a fuck. Reaper had made his wishes clear last week when he all but threatened him if he didn’t do the right thing by Sophie. It didn’t matter that she was his wife now, her older brother couldn’t help but stick his nose where it didn’t belong. Now would be no exception.
“Ringer,” Tank said. He sat down next to him on his left and Reaper took the barstool to his right.
“What are you two doing here?” Ringer grumbled. “Don’t they still serve beer over at Reckoning? I’m assuming as the owner; you don’t have to pay your bar tab.” Tank laughed and mumbled something about him being a smart ass like Reap. Only thing was he was nothing like his brother-in-law.
“We’re here to let you know that you’re going to be a father,” Tank said. Tank stared down Reaper and he sighed and shrugged.
“Sophie is in labor,” Reaper said. Ringer felt about ready to jump up off his barstool and demand to see her but he knew that would get him nowhere.
“She all right?” Ringer asked, trying for nonchalant. He could feel his heart racing in his chest and he was pretty sure that the two guys on either side of him could hear it too.
“Yeah,” Ringer said.
“Liar,” Tank countered. “She’s a fucking mess, Ringer. That’s why we’re here. She needs you, man.”
“No,” Ringer said. “She doesn’t. Reaper made that clear last week. I walked away from her, just like you said I should, Reap and now I’m supposed to what—go back to her and beg her to forgive me?”
“If that’s what it fucking takes,” Tank growled. “You grovel and beg and do whatever it takes to be a part of her and your son’s life. That’s how this marriage thing works—you know, for better or worse, in sickness and health. I think your vows should have included that you wouldn’t listen to a fucking word your asshole brother in law tries to tell you. That might have saved both you and Sophie a whole lot of heartache.” Tank looked over at Reaper again and shook his head as if disgusted by him.
“What do you want from me here, Tank?” Reaper asked.
“I want you to get your head out of your fucking ass and tell Ringer that you fucked up. How about you help your sister out and stop sticking your nose in her relationship where it doesn’t belong?” Tank said.
“She’s my sister and I should have a say in her safety.” Reaper insisted.
“I’m her husband and that baby’s father. I’ll handle their safety,” Ringer countered. “Tank’s right—I shouldn’t have let you convince me to walk out on her. Your sister is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I’ve been fucking miserable without her this past week and every time I thought of going back to her, begging her for another chance, I remembered what you told me. You said that I’m no good for her and that I’d never be able to take care of her or our son. I foolishly believed you at the time but you know what? Time’s given me a new perspective and now I know your wrong. I can take care of them. I might not be good enough for Sophie or my son, but I’m going to try damn hard, every single day to be worthy of them. To hell with you, Reap. I’m going to get my wife back. I’m going to get my family back.” He stood from his barstool and threw down cash for his beer.
“Ringer,” Reaper whispered.
“Save it,” Ringer barked. “We can settle all of this later. Right now, I have to get to the hospital and pray to God my wife will forgive me. I want to be there when my kid is born. I don’t have time to waste standing around here, arguing with you.”
“Good luck, man,” Tank said. “Beth is with her now but I gave her a heads up that we were going to track you down.”
“Thanks, Tank,” Ringer said. He grabbed his leathers from the back of the barstool and slipped them on. He was glad that he had his bike tonight because he needed to make good time to the hospital. There would be no way he’d miss seeing his kid being born. He just hoped like hell that Sophie would forgive him in time.
Ringer pulled up to the ER and double-parked his bike. He ran into the receptionist and barked Soph’s name at the woman behind the desk.
“Sophie Castes,” he said. “I’m her husband and she’s in labor.”
The woman tapped on her computer for a few seconds and smiled back up at him. “She’s on the second floor, in the maternity wing.” Ringer nodded and headed for the elevator and the nurse called after him. “You can’t leave your motorcycle there, Sir,” she shouted.
“I can’t miss my son’s birth. Tow it if you have to,” he growled back, just before the elevator doors closed. The receptionist looked less than pleased but he didn’t give a fuck.
When the doors opened on the second floor, he jogged to the registration desk and shouted Sophie’s name at one of the nurses. “I’ll be right with you, Sir,” the nurse said, holding up her finger at him as if trying to drive home her point.
“My wife is in labor—now. I can’t miss my son’s birth,” he insisted.
“Ringer?” Beth questioned, standing just past the desk.
“Beth,” he said, relieved to have found them. “Where’s Soph?” Beth blocked the door with her slight frame and he almost wanted to laugh. Judging from the angry scowl on her face, she wasn’t in the mood to be laughed at.
“She’s in there but I won’t let you go barging in there to hurt her. She’s been through enough,” Beth said, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I’m not here to hurt her,” Ringer promised. “I’m here to beg her to forgive me for being a fucking idiot. I messed up, Beth and I need to tell her that. I want to be here for her and Oliver.”
“Oliver?” Beth asked.
“Yeah, that’s the baby’s name,” Ringer said. “After my grandfather.”
“Aww,” Beth cooed.
“Listen, I promise not to upset her but I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t try to be there for her. I made a mistake—I listened to Reaper and—” Beth held up her hand, effectively stopping his next words.
“No need to say anything else, Ringer. My husband is many things but a relationship expert isn’t one of them. I’m pretty sure I know what he told you and how he made this giant mess happen between you and Sophie. You promise me that you won’t upset her?” Beth asked.
“Okay—then go in there and fix this between you and Sophie. She deserves to be happy, Ringer. If you can’t do that, then turn around and leave,” she said.
“I can do that,” he said. “I can make Soph and our son happy. I just need a chance. Thanks for giving me one, Beth.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Sophie might not be so forgiving. Plus, she’s in labor and that’s not going to work in your favor,” Beth taunted. Ringer grumbled his thanks and quietly entered Sophie’s room.
“Thank God, Beth. I’m dying for those ice chips,” she croaked. Sophie looked up to find him standing in her doorway and she looked less than pleased. Honestly, she looked downright pissed to find Ringer gracing her doorstep.
“Ringer,” she said. He hated how her tone sounded so impersonal and cold. God, he wanted to go to her and pull her into his arms, but he knew that would be a giant mistake. He needed to remember the steps—grovel first, beg second and then hold his breath and pray that his woman forgives him. He could do that.
“Sophie,” he whispered. Ringer cleared his throat and hesitantly took a few steps towards her hospital bed.
“Why are you here?” she asked.
“Um—first to grovel,” he admitted. “Please hear me out, Soph. I fucked up.”
“Yeah, you did,” she agreed. “You just walked out on us, Ringer,” she sobbed, rubbing her belly. Sophie doubled over and a long, deep moan ripped from her chest. He remembered what Beth sounded like a couple of months back and he hated knowing how much pain Sophie was currently in.
“Tell me what I can do for you, Honey,” he begged.
Sophie barked out her laugh, “You can’t do anything for me now, Ringer. You’ve already done this to me.” She pointed to her belly and he wanted to remind her that she was a willing participant when they created their son, but again, now wasn’t the time.