With a sinking feeling in my stomach I shove the pack back into my jacket and head inside. The sitcom is still running, and I find Cleo leaning halfway across the couch, head slumped into a pile of throw pillows. Her face is serene, her glossy eyelids tinged lightly purple with shadow, her full mouth slightly parted. She's a tangle of tawny limbs, and for an instant, I consider just letting her sleep. This news will steal that ability for several nights to come.
But she'd strangle me with my own belt if I kept something like this from her. So, with a sigh, I kneel beside the couch and lightly shake her. She comes alive with a soft cry of panic, trying to struggle in the direction of the makeshift nursery.
"What is it? Is Bryan awake?"
"No, no. He's still asleep."
Her sleepy, half-lidded eyes flutter once before they focus on my face, a soft frown curving those lush lips.
"Then what's wrong, Ryker?"
I feel like punching myself in the balls before I tell her news like this. But she wants the truth from me, above all else, and I know it. So I take her hand in mine and draw her into a quasi-embrace.
"Cleo, honey, we need to talk..."
7
Cleo
Iclutch my baby tight to my chest, running as fast as my burning legs will allow. The cold air slices at my lungs, but I can't let up. They'll gain, and then everything I've ever loved will be lost.
Bryan squirms and struggles, and the shrill wail of despair makes tears prick in my eyes. Oh God, I've failed him. I've failed everyone.
A solid weight hits me in the back, and I pitch forward with a scream, turning with only seconds to spare. My back his hard-packed earth, and I turn just enough time to keep from crushing Bryan. He's red-faced and squalling now, but there's no time to comfort him.
A boot lodges in my stomach and I curl around it with a gurgle of pain. Through a haze of tears I can see Trent above me, a dark looming shadow clad in leather and staring down at me with enough hate to scald.
"You can't take him," I cry. But he's already reaching down, meaty fingers digging into Bryan's pudgy arms. I'm too exhausted, too weak to do anything as Bryan screams anew, and the rough man plucks him from my grasp. He hoists Bryan up and hands him off to another shadow, whose face I can't see.
"Give him back," I plead, sobbing now. "Please, please, please. I need my baby."
Trent withdraws a .45, and my vision narrows to a pinpoint, staring at the business end of his gun. Then the muzzle flashes, pain slams into me and--
"Cleo!"
I'm jarred awake, and the feeling of strong hands on me makes me shriek again as my eyes fly open. The moment they do, I see I've overreacted. The face staring back at me is not rough-hewn or filled with hate.
Ryker releases me at once, and I fall back into the couch cushions with a half-sob. I've been having the same nightmare for a week and waking isn't even a reassurance. Trentiscoming for my baby. And he has enough clout and money to buy a judge. If he takes my little Bryan, I don't know what I'll do.
"I'm sorry," he mutters. "I didn't mean to scare you."
I catch his hand before he can withdraw it. "It's not you. It's these damn nightmares again. I'm sorry. I probably kept you up all night."
"I don't mind," he assures me in an undertone. Bryan is still sleeping in the bassinet feet away. I'm shocked all my thrashing and whining didn't wake him.
"I should sleep in your bed," I say with a weak chuckle. "Only you seem to be able to calm me down after."
Something crosses Ryker's face, but it's gone before I can read it.
“If you like.” His voice is strained.
Heat floods my cheeks and I drop my eyes down to the heavy duvet I'm curled beneath. This is Eden's boyfriend, for Heaven's sake. I couldn't just say things like a little cocktease and expect him not to react.
"Sorry," I mutter. "Sometimes things just fly out of my mouth."
"I don't mind," he repeats, this time with a dry chuckle. "C'mon. You're shaking. Let's get something in you, Cleo. How's coffee? Or do you want something stronger?"
I chuckle at the thought. I'm not supposed to be drinking while breastfeeding Bryan.
