Page 16 of Trusting a Warrior

“Yep, I’m going to use it. Maybe go back to school. Do something to better my life. Take care of my baby.”

Concern written all over him, Rhys reached out and took her cold hands in his. “Tyler would’ve liked that,” he said gently. “He would’ve loved having a niece or nephew.”

All Lani could do was nod. It was true. His girlfriend had had a big family, and whenever she saw pictures, it seemed Tyler always had a child or two hanging from him.

“What a waste.”

At those anguished words, Rhys gave an almost imperceptible flinch, his fingers tightening involuntarily on hers. He straightened, as if bracing himself, his eyes full of a weary resignation that hit her like a fist to the gut.

He was waiting for her to fall apart. Again. Like she had each and every time she was confronted with a major life event, and God, if an accidental pregnancy wasn’t one doozy of a stressor.

As always, he had come to pick up the pieces, no matter his personal cost. Tyler had been the one who died, but Rhys was the one made to pay for it, to relive it, over and over and over.

No.

“I see strength in you.”

Geo’s words from the night before suddenly cut through the roaring in Lani’s ears, and she clung to them. She pulled them close and used them to make herself let go of Rhys’s hands.

“That’s my plan,” she said firmly. “Use Tyler’s money for something good—my baby.”

He stared at her, dumbfounded. “I’m so proud of you,” he said at last. “I know that decision didn’t come easily.”

“It does help to think I’d be using it for him or her—” she touched her abdomen “—and not for myself. I think Tyler would’ve wanted that.”

Rhys searched her face a moment longer, and then he nodded. “Okay. It’s a good plan.”

“You approve?”

“I do.” He paused. “You know I’ll always be here for you, Lee-Lee. No matter what.”

Lani sighed to herself, knowing it’d take more than a mere declaration of intent to convince him otherwise—now she had to live it. This was her show now.

Still, an enormous surge of tenderness made her reach up to cup his stubbly cheek. “Hey, you wanna know something?” When his eyes met hers, she whispered, “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, Peanut Butter.”

At the sound of that old childhood nickname, his lashes grew spiky with unshed tears. “Back atcha, Lani-Bo-Bani.”

“I’m gonna be fine,” she said, standing shakily on the foundation of Geo’s words. “So go on now. Be happy with Devon. Do awesome shit.”

He turned his head and kissed her palm, his warm lips lingering on the sensitive skin, and then he stepped away. Holding her gaze, he backed toward the door, opened it, and when it closed behind him, the quiet snick carried with it such a sense of finality that Lani clapped a hand to her mouth to hold back her sob.

Thank you, Rhys, for going down into that basement so I didn’t have to. For staying with me that day, and every day after that for the next ten years.

No matter what the future held for her, she’d made the right decision in giving him his life back.

One more thing had to be said, though.

“Devon, girl, if you ever hurt him, you’d better watch the fuck out.”

A few hours later, the teakettle was empty and Lani was a knot of anxiety.

Dropping her head onto her folded arms, she let out a loud groan. Budget, done. Medical coverage, verified. She’d talked to her boss, who told her the club didn’t offer paid maternity leave, but that as far as she was concerned, Lani’s job was safe.

“You’re one of the best bartenders we’ve ever had,” she’d said. “The customers love you.”

Prioritize. Assess.

Okay, she’d done that, but unfortunately, no matter which way she ran the numbers, she wouldn’t be able to do it without the insurance money.