Wanted by Her Lost Love (Pregnancy & Passion #2)(15)

Ryan laughed and shook his head.

“Dev wants to talk to you a minute so hang on.”

“See ya,” Ryan muttered to empty air.

A second later, Dev came on the phone.

“I won’t repeat all Cam has said other than to ditto everything. What I wanted to tell you is that I’ll be out of pocket for a while.”

“Oh? Eloping with Ashley?”

Dev muttered a not-so-nice directive and Ryan chuckled.

“No, there’s an issue with the construction and we’ve already suffered so many delays on this project that I don’t want to risk any more. I’m going down there myself. It’ll be quicker than conference calls and playing phone tag.”

Ryan frowned and then leaned back in his chair. “How soon were you planning to leave?”

“Day after tomorrow. I’d go sooner, but I can’t. And Cam is going to be out of the country starting tomorrow and I can’t very well ask Rafe to leave his honeymoon.”

“Ah. So really you and Cam were calling to see if I’d do it.”

“Well, yeah, but after hearing what’s on your plate, I’ll go. I can break away after tomorrow.”

Ryan thought a moment and then made a split-second decision. “No, I’ll go.”

“Whoa. Wait a minute. I thought you had Kelly with you. A pregnant Kelly.”

“Yeah, I do. I’ll take her with me. It’ll be perfect. It’ll give us time away from… It’ll give us some time alone to sort things out.”

Ryan could hear Dev sigh all the way through the phone.

“You honestly want her back? After everything that’s happened?”

Ryan gripped the phone and stared out his window. “I don’t know yet. I need some answers before I make that kind of decision. But if she’s pregnant with my baby, I’m not letting her go again.”

“Okay, you go. I’ll email you all the issues. Just keep me posted and let me know if you have problems. I can be there at a moment’s notice.”

“Will do. Look, I know you and Cam think I’m nuts, but I appreciate you having my back.”

Dev’s dry response was immediate. “Yeah, you’re nuts. But whatever makes you happy, man.”

Ryan hung up and stared at the phone for a long moment before summoning Jansen. He gave him a list of instructions, starting with the need for Kelly to see an obstetrician immediately. She’d need a doctor’s clearance to travel, but if the doctor gave the okay, he planned for them to spend a few days alone. And maybe they could start putting the pieces back together.

Then he started a shopping list, ignoring Jansen’s grimace. Kelly needed outfitting from head to toe.

Five

Kelly sat cross-legged on her bed, staring into empty space. She couldn’t stay here. She’d been stupid to think that she could exist in an environment where she was exposed to Jarrod.

It had been all she could do to keep it together. She was furious that she’d sat there while that bastard stood in the doorway with his bewildered look of innocence, but she’d been paralyzed the moment he’d walked into Ryan’s apartment.

She hated the feeling of helplessness and she’d never, never allow herself to be such a passive respondent again. Going forward, if she saw the bastard, she’d kick his ass, pregnant or not. And then she’d tell Ryan precisely what he could do with his precious brother.

She hated Jarrod with a passion she reserved for few things in her life. And she hated Ryan for turning his back on her when she absolutely needed him the most.

No, she couldn’t stay here. Not a minute longer.

She forced herself to consider her alternatives. This time she wasn’t fleeing on ragged impulse without caring which way the wind blew her. No, she would come up with a solid plan of action. She’d go someplace quiet and safe—a good place to raise her son or daughter.

“You’re leaving, aren’t you?”

Ryan’s voice came from the door. She started guiltily and finally raised her eyes to his. Angry because she allowed herself to feel guilt even for a second, she hardened her gaze as she stared back at him.

“There’s no reason for me to stay.”

“Come with me into the living room,” he said, holding his hand out to her. For a long moment she simply stared at his outstretched hand. She should refuse, but something in his voice made her comply and she slipped her hand into his much larger one. He pulled her up from the bed and led her into the living room.

Sitting on the couch, he pulled her down beside him. He ran an agitated hand through his hair. “I’ve been an ass and I’m sorry. You’re in no condition to bear this stress and pressure and I’ve only added to your burden.”

She opened her mouth to speak and he placed a finger over her lips. “Let me finish. I’ve been in the office all morning and I’ve got some problems arising with an extremely important project that my partners are unable to attend to. Problems that require my immediate attention and presence. I want you to come with me.”

She stared blankly at him. Why? She didn’t get it. Why torture themselves? Why was he so persistent in flogging the dead horse that was their relationship? He’d been the one to end it. He had rendered judgment and tossed her aside like she’d never meant anything to him.