Page 11 of Hollywood

“Sorry, man. You’re right. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Is Carrie okay?” I knew Hollywood’s ex’s name. Just like I knew his daughter’s name. “What about Ruby?”

“Carrie’s in surgery. We just got to the hospital, so we don’t know anything yet. Ruby is okay, but obviously Carrie isn’t in any shape to take care of her right now.”

Oh, shit. Hollywood was finally going to get his daughter—and under the worst circumstances. He was going to be a fucking wreck.

“I’ll be right there.”

CHAPTER 3

Hollywood

Aiden metus in the surgery department waiting room on the third floor. He’d texted Knight the info, and since Knight had insisted on driving my car because I was too jittery, I’d been the one to see the message come in.

He held a little girl in his arms. She was barely more than a baby. Her face was still round, cheeks chubby. Her red hair was bright even in the waiting room’s dim lighting that seemed designed to soothe people into a troubled sleep. Her blue eyes looked huge and scared, but Aiden murmured to her softly, patting her back as he jiggled her on his hip, and she held on to him like he was her lifeline.

I came to a standstill, my heart in my throat.

Knight pressed his hand against my back, nudging me forward. “Go get your daughter.”

I expelled a big breath. I’d been fighting with Carrie for the right to see Ruby, but I’d really only seen her from a distance and the occasional social media photo. I was a stranger to her.

The hospital was so cold and sterile. This wasn’t how I’d wanted to meet Ruby. I’d imagined a park, the sun warm and bright, and Ruby’s gleeful giggle as I twirled her up into my arms.

Not…this.

“What if she doesn’t like me?” I asked.

It was a stupid question. She wasn’t even two and a half yet. It wasn’t as if she’d understand my crimes, much less judge them. But the approval of this little girl suddenly meant more than anything.

“She’s gonna love you,” Joyride said. “She just has to get to know you.”

I nodded. Swallowed the lump in my throat. “Right.”

Aiden watched us from across the room, but he didn’t come over. He let me take my time and gather my courage.

“Time to step up,” Knight murmured, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “You’re up to the challenge, and we’re here to help you.”

I nodded. Took a step forward. Then another. Once I was moving, I rushed forward, a sense of urgency taking over.

“How is she?” I asked Aiden.

I didn’t even know if I meant Ruby or Carrie. Fortunately, Aiden gave me both answers.

“Ruby is a little rattled, but she’s relatively unharmed except for this little scrape. We’ve doctored her up.” He gestured to the small bandage on her tiny arm, and my heart ached. If she was the one in emergency surgery, I wasn’t sure I could take it. “Carrie is still in surgery. I’ll go back and try to get you an update.”

He looked at me expectantly. Right. I should take Ruby off his hands so he could do that.

I ducked down to meet Ruby’s big blue eyes. “Hey,I’m your daddy. I’m going to take care of you for a little while, okay?”

I couldn’t tell if she understood, but she reached out one small finger and poked my nose. Then she giggled. Relief washed through me. She wasn’t too traumatized if she could be silly.

“Hey, that’s my nose!” I cried in mock outrage.

She giggled a little more. I spared a glance up at Aiden. “She really is adorable.”

Aiden smiled. “Yeah.”