Maddox told him to stay and he did. Ronin was beside him, like his own personal guard, but Ryder knew it was also to make sure he didn’t do something stupid like run in. Ryder started counting, and by the time he got to ninety-five, he heard, “All clear.”
Ryder didn’t wait. He ran into the house and followed his senses until he pushed into a room that had Jax in it. “Jax,” he whispered, then rushed over to his mate.
At the sound of his voice, Jax stood up from the bed and ran into Ronin’s arms. Jax was finally safe, and Ryder was going to spend the rest of his life making sure he’d always remain so.
Ryder kissed Jax and between those kisses, he whispered, “I’m so sorry, I’ll never let you out of my sight again, I swear.”
Jax chuckled, but his eyes sparkled with tears. “I knew you would come. I knew it.”
“Always.” Ryder crushed his mate to his body and sobbed. “Always.”
“Hey Ronin,” he heard Jax say over his shoulder. “Thanks for coming.”
“That’s what you do for family.” Even Ryder could hear the emotion in his brother’s voice. “Besides, Ryder is the reason we’re here. He’s the one you should be thanking.” Ronin smiled and then left the room and Ryder kissed Jax again.
“I’ve missed you so much!” he whispered, softly brushing his lips over Jax’s. “Are you okay?” Ryder managed to squeeze through his suddenly tight throat. “Are you hurt anywhere else? Did he hurt you?”
“He didn’t rape me if that’s what you mean.” Jax cupped Ryder’s cheek. “You got to me right in time.”
“I’m so glad!” Ryder crushed his lips to Jax’s again. He would spend every day, minute, hour, and week, kissing him, loving him, showing him that he was safe. He needed to get a security system installed in the house.
Maybe they would move. Jax might not want to stay at the house anymore.
Jax chuckled. “I love our house, but I won’t stop you on the security system.”
Ryder had a feeling Rick would be upping security in Wildwood in general. His older brother was pissed this had happened on his watch.
“I think there’s someone that’s been dying to see you both.” Ronin’s voice had them turning. “Tabby!” Ryder and Jax said at the same time.
“Dada.” She smiled and put her hands out for them. Ryder took her from Ro and hugged his family tightly.
“I swear I’ll protect you and Tabby. I promise you that,” Ryder whispered. Jax looked up at him and started to speak, but suddenly he was falling. “Jax!” Ryder cried. He managed to hold on to Jax, stopping him from falling while keeping a hold on their daughter.
Chapter Thirteen
Jax
“Jax! Jax! Wake up, Jax!” Ryder’s frantic voice and his hand tapping Jax’s face lightly had him opening his eyes.
Jax groaned. He only vaguely remembered going down. The excitement and stress must have finally gotten to him. “What happened?” He sat up gingerly with Ryder’s help.
“You fainted.” Ryder’s eyes were filled with panic. Ronin was crouched down beside them, holding Tabby.
“I’m fine.” Jax tried not to smile. Of all the ways he’d thought he’d tell his mate they’d be parents again, this hadn’t been one of them.
“You fainted.” Ryder repeated, checking his vitals and using his stethoscope to check Jax’s heart rate.
Jax put his hand around his mate’s wrist to stop his frantic search. “It was a good kind of faint.”
Ryder’s head tilted to the side. “What kind of faint is a good kind?”
He waited. He knew his doctor could figure it out. He watched Ryder’s eyes widen, then go to his belly before meeting Jax’s eyes.
“No! You can’t be! It was just the once.”
Jax snorted and so did Ronin. “Way to go, Ryder.” Ronin patted Ryder on his back and congratulated them before straightening.
Jax met Ryder’s gaze, and his mate wore a dopey grin. “You’re pregnant.” Ryder’s voice was filled with awe.
