Page 29 of Hollywood

I drifted off, uncertain what to say.

Knight yanked me in for a hug. “I’m glad you’re back. He will be too.”

My throat tightened. “I hope you’re right.”

He slapped my back. “Always am. Now, go. I’ll tell himyou’re running errands in town, but you’re going to say goodbye before you leave. How does that sound?”

“Good. Yeah.” I smiled nervously, wondering if I was rushing headlong into something that would blow up in my face. Well, I’d run away before and that hadn’t worked.

Time to run toward something instead.

CHAPTER 7

Hollywood

I stoodoutside Carrie’s hospital room, Ruby in my arms. Carrie’s father gazed at me with narrowed, hard eyes. He clearly didn’t trust me. Her mother’s nose wrinkled up, as if there was a bad smell hanging around me. I had to resist the urge to sniff my underarms.

Kelly offered a strained smile. “I was just telling Mom and Dad that you’re keeping Ruby.”

Well, that was a change from last night. I was glad to have her support, though.

“The doctor came by to explain Carrie’s injuries and recovery timeline.” Carrie’s mother, Georgia, sighed. “It’s just awful. My poor baby.” She pulled a tissue from a cherry-red purse the size of an overnight bag and dabbed her eyes.

Kelly jumped in to explain that Carrie was looking at six months before she’d be up to caring for Ruby. At least three months would be in a rehab facility.

Her fracture had been complex, requiring plates andscrews, and she’d had some numbness, indicating an issue with her sciatic nerve, which would lengthen the process.

“So, I’ll have Ruby quite a while then,” I said.

Kelly nodded. “Yes, that’s why?—”

“Not so fast,” Carrie’s mom, Georgia, cut in. “We understand you’re Ruby’s father, but you’re also a criminal.”

“Not anymore.”

Liam scoffed and shook his head. “A tiger doesn’t change its stripes that easily, son.”

Two years in prison wasn’t easy. Well, okay. Minimum-security prison hadn’t been that hard. A bunch of white-collar, privileged guys sat around and planned for how rich they were going to get once they got out again. It was practically a corporate business retreat.

But I’d lost my reputation. My freedom. My family. None of that was easy.

“He was a greedy corporate slimeball,” Kelly said in a chipper tone.

I shot her a look. I thought she was on my side.

“But that doesn’t mean he’s not Ruby’s father or that he’ll take bad care of her,” Kelly continued. “Plenty of greedy corporate slimeballs make great dads.”

A gust of air escaped my lips. This was her idea of helping?

Liam nodded. “I suppose we don’t have to worry about Ruby wanting for anything. He’ll just steal it.” He chuckled and swatted my shoulder. “Just kidding. You get into any trouble at all and you’ll never see this little girl again.”

Georgia lifted Ruby out of my arms and planted a big slobbery kiss on her cheek. “Look at my precious girl. If I could take you home with me now, I would. I really would.”

She was talking to Ruby in a high-pitched baby voice that made me want to gag. Ruby looked over her shoulder at me, asif uncertain what to do with this lady. Carrie’s parents lived in Arizona now, so I doubted Ruby knew them any better than me.

Georgia glanced over at her husband. “Are yousurewe can’t just take Ruby back to Arizona while Carrie recovers?”

“You heard the lawyer. We don’t have rights.” His eyes returned to me. “Although if Hendrix were to voluntarily give her up?—”