Killian (Hope City #8) - Kris Michaels Page 0,86
smile.
He turned and extended his hand. “What brings you to this part of the world? Did your woman get tired of you and kick you out already?”
“Nah, she has a meeting across town, so I figured I’d swing by and see how you and the monster mutts are getting along.” Rory nodded toward Oden and Thor, who were bouncing around the lot he and Brody had bought across the street from the old warehouse they’d converted into apartments.
“They are well mannered.” He laughed as Oden jumped on his back legs, almost leapfrogging Thor. Something told him the animals didn’t get a lot of exercise with their previous owner. A man Blay hated. The one who’d given the Russian Mob his sister’s location and almost killed Killian, but the dogs weren’t responsible for that bastard. They deserved to be happy.
“They are the size of horses,” Rory countered.
“True.” Blay leaned against the fence. He was waiting for them to get the initial rush of energy out before he’d take them for a jog. He’d learned the hard way to wait.
Rory leaned in, too. “So, are you going to tell me what’s been eating at you lately?” His friend added, “And don’t tell me nothing because I know you one hell of a lot better than that. It’s not nothing.”
“Just trying to work through a few things.”
“What things? I’m not leaving until you come clean, so just spill it.”
Blay snorted. “You say that like it would bother me for you to stick around a bit.”
“Oh, you know me. I can and I will bother you. I know what makes you crazy.” Rory lifted his eyebrows. “Seriously, I’m worried. You took vacation and left town without telling me or anyone else I know where you went. What the hell is up with that?”
Blay sighed and stared at his dogs. “I went upstate to see a woman.”
“Chasing a skirt, that’s not like you, man.” Rory shook his head. “So, my question is why did you go?”
Blay swallowed hard. “I hooked up with her a couple times. She says she’s pregnant with my child.”
“What?”
“Yeah, the thing is I suited up, man. I always do. I’m damn careful.” Blay shook his head. “I went up and told her I’d take care of her and the kid if it was mine, but I wanted a DNA test when the baby was born.”
“What did she say?”
“Oh, hell, man, that didn’t go over well. She went apeshit, screaming and yelling. A side of the woman I never saw before, but then again, we weren’t exactly best friends, if you know what I mean.” He barely remembered her, but he knew he’d used protection. He always used a condom and he always checked when throwing it away to make sure it was intact. His brothers had ensured he learned that lesson. His gut told him the woman was lying, especially after the theatrics. If she was carrying his child, she’d have no problem getting a DNA test, right?
“What are you going to do?”
“Not much I can do until the baby is born. She kicked me out and told me to never come back, but I hired a PI to keep tabs on her. If she is pregnant and that is my child, I want to be involved in his or her life. If she isn’t pregnant, I want to know that, too.”
“Damn. Have you told your parents?”
Blay shook his head. “I’m an adult. I’ll deal with the situation.”
“And carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You know you don’t have to do that, right? You could have talked to me.”
“Dude, do you not remember that beautiful woman you’ve fallen in love with? Like I’m going to knock on your door and act like a scared teenager. My problems are not your problems.” Not anymore. Once upon a time when they were growing up, they’d shared everything.
“Doesn’t mean I don’t care. Just because I’m in a relationship doesn’t mean I’m no longer your best friend. Idiot.” Rory elbowed him and he chuckled. “Are you working Thanksgiving again?” Rory asked as Thor and Oden bounded over, their tongues hanging out and happy dog smiles on their faces.
“Yep.” He always did. It allowed the married men and women to spend the holiday with their families. They spent a moment petting the dogs before the animals raced away again, playing with each other.
“Hey, Blay?”
He turned toward Rory. “Yeah?”
“You’d make a fantastic dad.” Rory stared at the dogs for a moment. “But I really hope it is a false alarm. You deserve a good relationship and a woman who loves you.
Blay nodded but didn’t say a word. Finding a woman wasn’t on his list anymore. He had one focus, and that was his unborn son or daughter. After what he’d seen yesterday, he was terrified. The woman was insane or at the very least had massive anger issues. He’d hired a PI, partly because of reasons he shared with Rory, but he also wanted ammo in case the baby was his. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt his child, even if the person he was protecting them from was their mother. Only time would tell how the future was going to play out.
Afterword
Click here for the next Hope City book…
Torin, Book 9
Blayze, Book 10
How about a Hope City Crossover novel? Try this!
Hot Seal/Silent Knight
Hope City Reading Order by Kris Michaels and Maryann Jordan
Brock - Book 1
Sean - Book 2
Carter - Book 3
Brody - Book 4
Kyle - Book 5
Ryker - Book 6
Rory - Book 7
Killian - Book 8
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Also by Kris Michaels
Kings of the Guardian Series
Jacob: Kings of the Guardian Book 1
Joseph: Kings of the Guardian Book 2
Adam: Kings of the Guardian Book 3
Jason: Kings of the Guardian Book 4
Jared: Kings of the Guardian Book 5
Jasmine: Kings of the Guardian Book 6
Chief: The Kings of Guardian Book 7
Jewell: Kings of the Guardian Book 8
Jade: Kings of the Guardian Book 9
Justin: Kings of the Guardian Book 10
Christmas with the Kings
Drake: Kings of the Guardian Book 11
Dixon: Kings of the Guardian Book 12
Passages: The Kings of Guardian Book 13
Promises: The Kings of Guardian Book 14
A Backwater Blessing: A Kings of Guardian Crossover Novella
Montana Guardian: A Kings of Guardian Novella
Guardian Defenders Series
Gabriel
Maliki
John
Jeremiah
Guardian Security Shadow World
Anubis (Guardian Shadow World Book 1)
Asp (Guardian Shadow World Book 2)
Lycos (Guardian Shadow World Book 3)
Thanatos (Guardian Shadow World Book 4)
Tempest (Guardian Shadow World Book 5)
Smoke (Guardian Shadow World Book 6)
Hope City
Hope City - Brock
HOPE CITY - Brody- Book 4
Hope City - Ryker - Book 6
Hope City - Killian - Book 8
Hope City Cross Over:
HOT SEAL, Silent Knight (SEALS in Paradise)
STAND ALONE NOVELS
SEAL Forever - Silver SEALs
A Heart's Desire - Stand Alone
Hot SEAL, Single Malt (SEALs in Paradise)
Hot SEAL, Savannah Nights (SEALs in Paradise)
About the Author
USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author, Kris Michaels is the alter ego of a happily married wife and mother. She writes romance, usually with characters from military and law enforcement backgrounds.