I ran a hand through my face. So, Kaleb didn’t know either. That hurt a little less than the idea of him keeping it hidden from me.
She sighed softly. “Brandon, it’s getting to be Ilsa’s bedtime. I need to get her home.”
I nodded. “Fine. I will set up the wedding and let you know.”
“Why are you doing this?” she asked, looking tired.
“Because it’s the right thing. I can’t exactly let you marry some random dude when you have my child.”
She nodded slowly and turned toward the door. She paused and looked back at me. “You can’t tell her who you are yet. She will be confused.”
I frowned, wanting to argue with her. But I understood her point. This was all going to be confusing to Ilsa. When we get married and move, she will have even more questions.
“Fine. What exactly do you plan on saying when you move? How long do you plan to keep the truth from her?”
Jade looked hurt and avoided eye contact with me. Her fingers tightened on the door, and she looked so broken. “I don’t know.”
Jade slipped inside, and I stood outside. I paced, my mind going a mile an hour. But I heard the door open, and Jade and Ilsa stepped out. Ilsa glanced at me for a moment before she offered me a soft smile.
“Bye, Brandon.”
It twisted my heart up, and I swallowed, giving her a tight smile in return. “Bye, Ilsa.”
Over the next couple of days, I arranged everything. I hired movers to go to Jade’s apartment, which she refused to tell me the location of. I booked the community center for the wedding, knowing the garden would be in full bloom. I got a suit and even allowed the guys to join in since they arrived in town the day before.
The day of the wedding, I was ready. I had purchased a house and prepared two rooms. I went out to buy kids’ stuff for around the house. I wasn’t sure what Ilsa needed, and I had a feeling I overbought, but I would rather have it than not.
I stood at the altar, staring across the room. It was a small ceremony attended by just our parents. I wasn’t even sure if Jade had gotten a dress, but I was about to find out.
The music started, and the doors opened. Dale stepped out with Jade, and my eyes widened. She was wearing a simple white dress that hugged her curves. She had her hair pulled up in a messy bun with white roses. She looked breathtaking, and I felt my lungs pause for air.
She walked down the aisle, and I grew nervous. I knew everything was changing. I was going to be married and raising akid. This would change how I was going to manage the pack, how I was going to manage my life.
Dale offered Jade off, and I took her hand. She stepped closer, and as the priest spoke, we both stared at each other. I took in her features, knowing the makeup covered up a lot. I planned to change that. I hoped that my presence meant she could relax and start taking better care of herself.
We said our vows, and I pulled Jade close to kiss her. Jade pulled back halfway, cutting it short. It was more of a peck than it was a kiss.
The kiss sealed everything. I thought I was coming back into town and helping the pack grow, but I was doing much more than that. I was going to win back Jade’s affection and be the perfect father for Ilsa.
I was going to protect the pack and, above all, protect them.
Chapter 6 - Jade
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you had a kid.” Kaleb shook his head as he stood across the island. He opened the cabinet, grabbed crackers, and pulled them out. “What were you thinking?”
I rolled my eyes, growing tired of the same questions. “Kaleb, can you maybe ask another question? This one is getting old.”
Kaleb scowled at me as he leaned onto the counter. “You’re funny. Seriously, how could you not tell me? I have a niece, and you never once mentioned her.”
“Because you weren’t here.” I shifted in my chair.
He popped a cracker into his mouth. “For three years. You kept it to yourself for three years.”
“And I don’t recall you ever coming home to visit,” I snapped back.
He remained silent for a moment, popping another cracker into his mouth. His chewing was like nails on a chalkboard, given how quiet the house was.
“Where is dad?” I asked, wanting to change the subject. I came here because Kaleb asked me to, but I figured our dad would be here as well.
