Discuss? What do we have to discuss? I thought everything was handled.
Then my mind flashes back to what that detective said. It has to be him making trouble for us, like he promised. Not that I regret keeping my mouth shut. I’d never rat Ridge or the club out, no matter what the consequences are.
Before I can even formulate a response, Ridge’s text comes through.
Ridge
Rain should just be getting off work. We will head your way. Be there in twenty minutes.
With shaky fingers, I type.
Me
See you soon.
I grab my purse and head for the door. Some people try to get my attention, but I ignore them. I don’t have time to get sidetracked. As soon as I get into my truck, my phone rings.
“Hey.”
“You on your way?” Ridge asks, an edge to his voice.
“Just pulling out of the parking lot. Do you know why he wants to see us?”
“No, not a clue. You?” he asks, a door slamming shut in the background.
“None. I won’t lie, I’m worried, Ridge. I have a feeling it has to do with Detective Hampton.”
“Don’t be. Everything is fine. We’ve done everything that’s asked of us. We are in this together, remember? No matter what that asshat tries to prove, it will always fall through because we love each other, right?”
“Yeah.” I swallow hard. “It’s us against the world. He can’t do anything to hurt us,” I lie.
I don’t know what he can or can’t do. He’s a detective, one who seems very powerful. Even if he can’t take it all away, he can mess with our lives until we comply with him. Something neither of us will ever do.
“Look, drive safe, and I’ll see you in a few minutes. I love you,” he says after a beat.
“I love you too. Drive safe.”
Before he can say anything else, I hit the disconnect button on my steering wheel. With both hands on the wheel, my mind spirals. Of course something pops up right when things start to go smoothly, right when Ridge and I find our stride with each other and our relationship.
It feels like I can never really catch a break. Every time I think I am happy, something comes along and tries to take it from me.
This time, I’m not giving in without a fight, though. Ridge is mine, and I am his. Even if we lose it all, as long as we are together, nothing can touch us.
By the time I pull into the parking lot of the law office, my nerves have me on edge. Ridge walks up and opens the door of the truck before I can even shut it off.
“You got here fast,” I tell him as I slide out, shutting the door behind me.
“I was close by.” He leans in and kisses me softly as he weaves his fingers through mine. “Everything’s okay. No matter what happens, I am here with you.”
“I know. Now come on. Let’s get this over with.”
Crossing the parking lot hand in hand, we head toward the building. After entering the front door, we stop at the reception desk.
“He’s waiting for you,” a lady I’ve never seen before says.
I frown, wondering where the other woman went.
“Thank you,” Ridge and I say in unison.
