Page 15 of Hollywood

Ruby squirmed in my arms to face her, eyes lighting up with recognition. “Kel.”

Kelly smiled. “That’s right, baby. I’m here now.”

I waited for Ruby to cry for her, heart constricting with doubt. Maybe I wasn’t the best choice. She didn’t even know me.

But other than patting Kelly’s shoulder, she seemed content to stay where she was. Maybe she was just tired of being passed around, but I’d take it.

Kelly’s eyes narrowed on me. “I’m trusting you to take care of her. Don’t screw this up.”

A crushing weight pressed down on me, my shoulders curving under the pressure and my heart sinking. This was my one chance to prove I could be a father to Ruby. What if I messed up and lost her for good?

I tried to find my voice and couldn’t. But someone else spoke up for me. A deep, honeyed voice that I’d tried and failed to forget over these past three months.

“Don’t you worry, darlin’,” Tex drawled. “Ruby is exactly where she needs to be. Her daddy will take excellent care of her.”

CHAPTER 4

Tex

I foundHollywood and the guys on the third floor of the hospital, exactly where Knight had directed me.

Holly’s face was tight, lips compressed, eyes glassy. He held Ruby, who was just about the cutest little munchkin I’d ever seen, and faced down a haughty-looking woman I’d overheard him call Kelly. She had long brown hair pulled into a messy bun, and even in sweats and a tank top, she was pretty hot stuff.

I didn’t like how she was talking to Hollywood, though. Didn’t like the sneer on her face. She must be related to Carrie. That would track, because Hollywood’s ex was pretty damn unforgiving. Not that he hadn’t fucked up. He sure had. But unlike some of us, he’d done it for a good reason.

He cared about people. Cared that his employer was screwing them over. It was a hell of a lot better than selling drugs to pad out my dad’s greenhouse profits.

The termvictimless crimealmost applied. Except Hollywood had been the victim of his own machinations. AndCarrie, too, I supposed. In a way, his crime had served other victims, though. Not that his corporate bosses saw it that way. Or the law, for that matter.

Hell, maybe I was biased.

“I’m trusting you to take care of her. Don’t screw this up.”

“Don’t you worry, darlin’,” I drawled. “Ruby is exactly where she needs to be. Her daddy will take excellent care of her.”

Hollywood flicked a wide-eyed look my way. He hadn’t heard me walk up behind him. I rested a hand against his back, hoping he wouldn’t tell me to fuck off.

“I’m talking to Hendrix,” Kelly said, voice firm and unyielding. “You mess this up, and I’ll cut off your balls. You hear me?”

“Yeah,” Hollywood said, his voice dull and lifeless.

“How about we tone it down a notch?” I suggested.

“That’s a good idea,” Aiden said. “Everyone’s emotional right now.”

Kelly huffed and crossed her arms. “I’m just looking out for what my sister wants.”

“That’s understandable,” Knight said. “But Hol—er, Hendrix is here to take care of his daughter. That’s what he’ll do.”

She sniffed. “I don’t remember asking any of you for an opinion.”

“Well, we’re here for him, so we’re saying it anyway,” Ghost said.

The man hardly ever spoke, preferring to disappear into the background, so it meant a lot that he stepped up for Holly.

Ruby picked up on the tension and started fussing. I plucked her out of Hollywood’s arms. “Hey there, little girl. Are you tired of this place yet?”

Her eyes widened, as if she wasn’t sure what to think ofmy manhandling. But I had two nephews and a niece, and I knew what kids this age liked. I tossed her in the air and caught her. She gave a startled squeal, then let loose a peal of laughter. I tossed her again.