The Alpha's Secret Baby 1

HIS BABY TO BEAR - TWO He had no idea what her name was. It wasn't necessary for the mission. His team was, of course, aware. They'd scouted every possible player, and she'd been near the top of the list. But all he knew was that she was the right girl at the wrong time in the wrong place. And she was now in deeper muck than she could ever hope to dig herself out of. They were on the verge of falling through an unlocked door leading to the roof, which was common in such structures. There was no fire escape that high up, but one started a few stories down. Ropes and harnesses were piled in a secluded corner, ready for Jerome and his package. "Get on board with that, honey. Reduce your height. Don't bother taking a look up. Don't bother showing up. If they get past me, jump off the ledge on the roof's left side. There must be a fire exit somewhere down there. "My team will get you on the ground as soon as possible." "Don't look back," he yelled, his light brown eyes boring into hers as he pointed to the large air ducts in the middle of the roof. Several pairs of combat boots could be heard pounding up the steps, so close he could almost taste them. And there she was, staring at him like an angel thrown into a situation she wasn't supposed to be in. Hesitant. Afraid. But there was a fire in her eyes that made him lick his lips. Not right now, fucking now. Focus. "GO!" he yelled as he dashed to the other side to hide behind the stairwell's outcrop's corner. "Are you ready, Jordan?" With one hand on his ear, he reloaded a new clip into his gun. "Seal and load," they say. The party was about to get started. Her breath was stuck in her throat, just like it had been when she was running toward her house-the one place she was supposed to be safe. Adrenaline and heat were coursing through her veins, blinding and deafening her while also alerting her to her surroundings. Olivia's legs ached. Her hands trembled like those of a drug addict who had gone too long without a dose. Her throat was parched, and her lungs were cursing her for flying up the stairs. She was now huddled behind an air vent, the constant, loud hum of air rushing through it drowning out everything else. What's the point of doing whatever he tells you to do? Maybe he's the fucking psycho who killed Jimmy. Perhaps those other guys are here to help... A hail of gunfire blew open the door at that precise moment. She yelped and ducked lower, clutching her head with both hands. Her fingers dug into her loose curls, and she tasted the bitter taste of dread that she'd felt when that big guy grabbed her. He dragged her right off her doorstep, but she'd noticed guys starting to pile out of there from the corner of her eye, and none of them seemed too happy to see her go. She was perplexed as hell, but her primal desire to live came roaring back with a vengeance. Because the gunfire was so loud, she imagined that every cop car in the city would be heading there. They wouldn't, wouldn't they? Shots were heard late at night on the South Side... she'd be lucky if a patrol car came to inspect the apartment. Even so, what could they possibly do against the obvious arsenal that these guys were carrying? Olivia bit her lower lip to prevent herself from crying. It was all a little too much. Finding Jimmy dying and hearing him tell her she needed to flee because someone was after her. He drew her face closer to his, pressing down so hard on the back of her neck that it hurt. He refused to tell her why she had to flee, choking on his own blood from the deep puncture wound to his chest. The only thing that mattered was that she did. He wouldn't let go of her until he breathed his last and died. Then she returned home to find a veritable army prepared to do to her what she assumed they'd done to Jimmy. Above her head, there was now a firefight. There were far too many unanswered questions for her to attempt to make any sense of anything, and her mind raced to keep up. Her cream coat was splattered with blood, and she'd crouched into a small ball to peer out the side of the air vent. Her feet were mostly darting to the sides, looking for a better vantage point to shoot at her nameless savior. They were all dressed in black, with harsh expressions and angular lines on their faces, as they backed up a little further to get out of the direct line of fire. Such as the type of men you could hire in a group to do your bidding. All of them are nearly interchangeable. The big guy, as she referred to him in her head, wasn't going to stand a chance. One of the guys was carrying an assault rifle, for God's sake. I'm a terrible assistant! How did I end up being a part of this?! Panic roiled around the edges of her mind, but she kept it at bay. She'd have plenty of time to go insane later. As she peered out a little further, she could see the occasional shot fired from the other side of the little outcrop, muzzle flashes blinding her in the otherwise solid darkness of the night. The shots echoed through her body, choking her with numb fear. I hope he kills every single one of them.

HIS BABY TO BEAR - THREE TThe big guy then rolled out of his cover, exposing himself completely. He tricked one of them into dodging out of his own cover, then shot the man in the knee and throat as he screamed in pain. Olivia had to cover her mouth with her hand as she screamed, her hazel eyes widening as the man slouched to the side. As the life from his eyes faded, the last thing he saw was her staring back at him. There was a flash of recognition in his gaze before it became completely dull. The big guy was right by her side, gritting his teeth loudly enough for her to hear. He leaned to the right, and the odor of blood and gunpowder residue on him burned her nostrils. "Stay down," he barked again, and Olivia had no intention of moving. She did, however, feel strangely better with him right next to her. It wouldn't help them if they both died on the roof like the man in front of her. "You have a chance," he said into his earset, his voice straining. "Fuck," he said, and then rolled out without another word. Bullets whizzed around him, and Olivia saw one fly by so close to him that the fabric of his shirt ripped on his arm, revealing a thick red streak of blood on his bicep. He didn't stop moving, as if it were just a mosquito bite. One of the attackers leaned out an inch too far and was hit between the eyes with a bullet, leaving a gaping wound that smoked as he collapsed onto the ground. It wasn't from the big guy, who was halfway up the outcropping, scaling it like a mountain climber trying to set a demented record. Olivia watched in awe as he descended from above on the last foe, bringing his heavy fist down like Thor's hammer on the guy's head. They both fell to the ground, and the man with the angular features wasn't even twitching after a few well-aimed, unrelenting punches. He couldn't possibly pull it off. His face had been bloodied to a pulp. Olivia could only see a steady pool of blood forming around his skull. "Come on," the big guy grumbled as he stood up. He didn't even bother looking at his swollen arm. The only colors she saw that day seemed to be crimson and black. Olivia shook her head, her gaze darting from one mangled body to the next before returning to the big guy. Her legs felt as if they were filled with lead, and she couldn't move a single step no matter how hard she tried. If the situation had been different, he would have run to her after giving her a stern look that would have had her melting like snow in the summer heat. His iron-like grip gripped her hand and drew her along, past that dreadful door that seemed to only let death in, and to the miscellaneous gear in the corner. "We must act quickly. There will be more." While he was talking, he was already putting her in a harness and checking the connections on the ropes that were tied down on the roof. His hands were moving at breakneck speed, and a tiny part of her brain couldn't help but notice how his cheeks strained as he concentrated, and the little dip that formed between his brows when he double-checked his work. "I'm on my way down," he said quietly into his ears. Olivia could hear a response on the other end of the line, but she couldn't figure out what it was. His wry grin told her that it was probably not meant for her ears in the first place. "Get up on that ledge, honey," he said, smiling. "We're going to fly." He hooked himself into his own harness as she wobbled up on the ledge, holding on with her hands and remaining on the balls of her feet. At the very least, she was wearing flats rather than pumps-small mercies.He hopped up next to her as if it were the most natural thing in the world to be hanging out on the ledge of a building, ready to rappel down into possible danger. He gave her a cocky but delicious smile. "Who are you?" she wondered, struggling to find the right words. "I'm the man who's about to turn you into a bird," he said, grabbing her by the shoulders and hurling her off the ledge and into the darkness below as the stairwell door swung open again.

HIS BABY TO BEAR - FOUR Libby was furious with him, and he thought it was the cutest thing he'd ever seen. The way her corners of her mouth turned down and her brow furrowed made him want to throw her over his shoulder and carry her into the deep recesses of the cabin they were in. He wouldn't let her out until she was screaming his name at the top of her lungs and not a trace of that frown remained. That caused him to shift his cock in his pants uncomfortably as he sat on a chair by the window facing the yard in front of the house. He could still feel her eyes boring into the back of his head, as if she expected him to give her some kind of explanation that would make everything better. But he couldn't do it. And, as things stood, adrenaline was still coursing through his veins like ice cold vodka, and he was having a hard time focusing his attention on anything other than her juicy figure or the way she squirmed beneath him. With a grumbled sigh, he re-adjusted. Hell on earth. "What exactly am I doing here?" Where am I?" Libby demanded, a hint of hysteria in her voice. He didn't resent her for it. She was a non-combatant. A woman who never expected to be involved in something straight out of a high-budget action film. He'd give her a little leeway because she'd seen death and carnage and been thrown off a roof in a matter of hours. However, not too much. "As I previously stated, you are in an undisclosed location near Laguna. My name is Andrew. "My team and I have been tasked with your protection, and I will keep you company here until the secondary unit arrives to pick you up in the morning," he explained. He failed to mention that five men were stationed around the perimeter at various distances and vantage points, training every piece of surveillance equipment on and around the cabin. And that he could have been outside as well, but chose not to. Something about her made him smolder and act like the irrational kid he hadn't been since they beat the hell out of him in basic training. And yet, here he was, getting a boner because a pretty girl was annoyed with him. Certain things remain constant. "You already told me that," she began, emphasizing the patience in her voice that had long since vanished. "However, I'd like to know where I am and why I'm here! Could you please tell me?" He chuckled under his breath, leaning back in his chair and casting a long, rowing glance at her. Mitch, Shaun, Tom, Tim, and Jordan had this place under lock and key. At this point, he was nothing more than a contingency to the contingency. But he had to pretend he was doing something other than admiring the scene Ellie had created, her cheeks flushed with rage and her hands on her hips. When she wasn't dealing with bodies dropping dead around her, she could go from zero to a hundred in a matter of seconds. Jerome couldn't help but admire a woman with that quality. I like a lot of things about her, he reflected, darkly amused. "No, honey, I'm afraid I can't tell you any of that. You just have to believe in me and my boys. "Don't worry your pretty little head about it, we'll keep you safe," he said, letting his deep voice rumble a little too loudly. So he was strutting his stuff a little. It's a big deal. "Stop referring to me as honey. "My name is Libby," she explained, exasperated. She'd taken her coat off and washed her hands and face. They'd arrived at the cabin about a half-hour earlier, and the takeout that had been waiting for them was sitting cold on the table, despite the fact that neither of them was particularly hungry. Jerome needed time to recover from the game's high, and Ellie... well, seeing guts spill out of a guy does something to one's hunger. Unless they've grown accustomed to it. "Sure thing, honey," he drawled, proudly wearing her glare. "So, what can you tell me?" What brought you to my house? Who were those individuals? "What do they expect of me?" Jerome shrugged, scowling slightly. This was one of the minor tasks they completed in between the major ones. It was only a side job for Squad Six, or Shifting Squad Six as their employers affectionately referred to them, if there weren't machine guns and aerial drop-ins involved. They were all ex-special ops or ex-army, the best of the best, and they knew it. The majority of them had left active duty for personal reasons, but the money in the private sector was too good to pass up for long. It was supposed to be a simple job, in and out with no muss and no fuss. So far, it had only been that. With the unexpected bonus of being able to enjoy the company of a stunning woman thrown in for good measure. However, in most jobs, information was given solely on a need-to-know basis, and he didn't need to know. That meant she didn't, as far as he was concerned. He shrugged casually, giving her a smirk that made her bottom lip curl in annoyance. What he wouldn't have given to turn that frown around. "I'm not sure what they want from you, honey. I was there because some wealthy men in expensive suits paid me to be there. If it makes you feel better, we weren't there just for you. But I'm not at all disappointed that it turned out to be you," he said, his voice a low, growling purr. Shit. That was the kind of behavior he could expect from himself after about five shots of tequila and a glass of whiskey, not when he was on the job. But the way her hair bounced off her brow when she threw her head back in frustration, and the way she kept wringing her hands together, did a number on him. Everything she did seemed to him to be a big, screaming sign. A sign that he shouldn't be sitting alone at that table. She paced back and forth, allowing him to get a good look at her thick thighs and ample ass, which were made to be grabbed by his calloused hands. He put the rifle he'd been tinkering with on the windowsill and sat down to watch the show. She huffed under her breath, clearly more enraged than concerned. It was unsurprising. People dealt with the situation in their own unique ways. She abruptly came to a halt and gave him a hard, irritated look. He shrugged casually and spread his hands, his best schoolboy grin on his face.

"I'm just checking in to see whether you're all right, honey." "By focusing your eyes on my ass?" "You know, it needs to be defended as well," he smirked. "And nothing beats having the Navy on your side." He could tell she was attempting to annoy him, but he missed the faint smile that went across her lips for a single second. Oh, absolutely. He had her there. He already had a thing for her spirit. "You know, you should be proud of yourself for today." "There aren't many women who can jump off a skyscraper without losing their calm." "Did it appear like I hurled myself off?" she asked, sitting across from him, her chin resting on her hand. "I'm just trying to keep you alive, honey," he said, emphasizing the word "honey." Because of the way she jerked a little bit every time he uttered it, his blood was boiling with hunger. "You think you're so smooth," she murmured, rolling her eyes. "Has anyone ever told you you're too cocky and arrogant?" "A lot has been said about my cock, honey," he yawned, stretching his arms back, "but it's typically in incomprehensible forms like groans and screams. "I can't really keep count," he yawned, stretching his arms back. His tendons were hardening and the heat in his muscles should have dissipated, but his heart rate remained elevated. Jerome realized why. That gorgeous piece of ass sitting next to him, smelling like sex on legs, was getting to him. He was ready to bite something when his earset pinged. "I'm paying attention," he murmured, his gaze riveted on Libby. "Perimeter appears to be clear. Shaun has adopted a defensive stance. Mitch and Tom are on the first shift. Pickup is scheduled for 0600," Tim replied matter-of-factly. Jerome extracted the device from his ear and set it on the windowsill next to his weapon. Right now, you have nothing to do but entertain yourself. He now has nothing to do but entertain himself with the succulent delicacy in front of him. Normally, if Jerome desired anything, he would make it clear. It was, however, never a mark. It was never someone that he was taked with protecting. And no one ever compelled him to act that way. He was willing to give her some breathing room and allow her to get a better look at him. But he knew he'd regret it for the rest of his life if he didn't have that woman that night. Libby's face wrinkled as she asked, "What was that?" "Exciting news!" he cried, grin on his face. She appeared hopeful for a brief period. "You've got six hours of my company and mine alone; tell me what you're going to do with it." "I'd like you to tell me something logical. Why is a SWAT unit around me, and why were they attempting to murder me? After all, that was what was going on. They had planned to assassinate me. I have a job as a secretary. I don't know anything," Libby admitted, her face buried in her hands. He half expected her to cry, but she wasn't that kind of lady. She wouldn't break beneath the pressure, but she might bend somewhat. But isn't that why he was there? "I'm afraid I can't tell you anything I don't know, honey." I'm not sure what they believe you know or have, but it's apparently enough to kill and maim you. As a result, you're valuable. And, you know, I like to keep expensive stuff protected. I can tell you that nothing horrible will happen to you while I am present. I'm not going to let you go until I can give you to someone who appreciates the value of valuable things as well as I do, okay? " Who is this man, and what had he done to Jerome? Jerome heard himself say all of those things as if he were watching rather than participating in the act, and worst of all, he meant it. He wasn't just acting on duty when he said those things; he truly wanted to make sure Libby was secure. He'd bring the moon down from the sky if it made her feel better. His bear roared deep inside him as another whiff of her smell floated into his nose, driving him mad with want. She had a wonderful scent. She didn't seem to belong anywhere but in his arms. He was filled with envy when he realized he'd have to pass her over to another squad the next morning. And it reminded him of another time when he had felt the same way, and how it had absolutely erupted in his face. Her name lingered at the back of his head, mocking and plaguing him. Olivia. He couldn't keep the sneer from coming to his lips as her name appeared in his brain, the ideal incarnation of loss, humiliation, and wrath that he could imagine. The noise shocked Libby. That brief flash of anxiety on her exquisite face drove him to set his feet firmly on the ground and take a few sure, short steps to reduce the gap between them. He crouched in front of her and slowly took her hands away from her face, cupping them in his enormous paws. They were a little cool, and he had to resist the impulse to blow on them or kiss her fingertips to warm them up. Part of him told him to dig in his heels and wait till he could figure things out. However, a much larger, far more demanding part of him was having none of it, and to be honest, Jerome agreed heartily. "Hey. Everything will be alright, Libby. Nothing will ever damage you. Whatever the reason, a solution will be found. You will start a new life, one you will be able to design however you see fit. So what if you crossed paths with some scum? "It'll make you stronger," he asserted emphatically. When she stared at him, her hazel eyes twinkled with something he couldn't quite make out. As a result, he did the only logical thing in that situation. Jerome slid his hand behind her neck and kissed her on the lips, hard and deep.

H I S B A B Y T O B E A R - S I X Libby exclaimed as his warm, soft lips met hers in a hungry kiss, leaving any semblance of modesty outside the cabin. She was aware that she should have backed up, smacked, and shouted at him, but it wasn't what she desired. Regardless of what her reasoning brain told her, the irrational half of her was already completely lost in that beautiful kiss. Her resistance gave way to equal longing as her hands drew him closer by the front of his shirt. He obliged willingly, rising from his hunches and bringing her to her feet with him. She had no idea he was so tall. Sure, she knew he was large; she'd noticed it even when they were avoiding bullets and trying not to have any more wounds in their bodies, but she hadn't thought he was that big. Libby felt insignificant in comparison to him. But it's a sexy, appealing one. He towered above her, and his light blue eyes, almost ghostly in their brightness, took her in for a fraction of a second before diving down again, his mouth seeking hers. She could raise an objection. She could have said no, and she had no doubt that this man who appeared to be built of steel and concrete would have respected her desires right away. She, on the other hand, was fiercely opposed. The day's horrors evaporated as she placed her arms around his neck and kissed him, virtually clinging to him as if she needed it to breathe. Jerome's hand went down her neck and back, tracing the curvature of her spine until both of his hands were on her hips, pushing her in closer. She whimpered softly as she snuggled herself against his big, sculpted physique, his sheer firmness surprising her. Through the heavy black camouflage clothes, she could feel every thick dip and flat plane of his body. Curiosity pulling her ahead, and the nagging desire to put everything behind her, she yanked at the bottom of his shirt and lifted the edge of it. As he threw the erroneous ball. His eyes glowed with desire... She'd never felt more desired in her life. With Libby's cry, he gripped her ass and hoisted her easily, pushing her to wrap her arms around his waist. His tongue was again on hers as he pushed her to the table's edge, sweeping the takeout containers and her jacket away. She bit and nipped at him like an adolescent who'd never been kissed before, her tongue lapping against his in an all-consuming desperation to be closer to him. Her hands stroked their way down his chest and abs, loving the magnate. Jerome tickled her with his stubble as he kissed a line down her neck. As he hooked his fingers between two buttons on her top and ripped, buttons flew everywhere, a low growl resonated at the back of his throat. "Hey!" she objected gently as he slipped the creamy shirt over her shoulders, but her words quickly went to moans as he drew down one bra strap, exposing her breast, and sucked her nipple into his lips. "What?" He teasingly circled his tongue around the sensitive nub, making her squirm in his hands." As she pulled herself closer to him, she could only emit a squeak and a begging sound. When it came to Andrew, any modesty she had ever felt around men was completely gone; she got what she wanted, and right now she was curious to see if his cock matched the perfection of his rest of his physique. When she pushed his jeans down his hips, precisely when Jerome quickly undid the clasp on her bra and took it off of her, she was greeted with confirmation that he wasn't all words and no substance. Her fingers closed reflexively around the thick base of his big cock, gently caressing it up and down and feeling the bulging veins beneath her fingertips as she ran her hand over it. "Shit, you're huge," she cursed, as she often does. Today, on the other hand, was a day of firsts. Being shot at. High-rise skyscraper abseiling. She was fucking a guy she'd never met before. Beware, a new Libby has arrived in town. "I warned you," he broke down, his voice breaking. "I never, ever lie." "God, you're so full of yourself," she groaned as he kissed the delicate flesh between her breasts and pushed her back against the table. Jerome unfastened her pants and yanked them off, along with her panties and boots, displaying her chocolate body to his ravenous gaze in all its curvaceous splendor. She anticipated to feel shy, maybe a little awkward, but she didn't. Rather than shrinking, she opened her legs, showing her smell and obvious desire. "You're going to be full of me, honey," he smirked devilishly. Libby bit her lower lip and lowered her lashes to stare at him. He ripped off his pants. Jerome was the perfect example of a man she would never mess over. Arrogant, tough, and impossibly difficult. He's a nasty kid. She examined the dark loops of a tattoo that ran up his left arm and across his left pec, distorting and transforming into other tattoos she couldn't wait to see. Only then did she see that the wound on his arm, which had earlier left a severe graze, was almost healed. For a little period, she scowled, her mind racing as she tried to figure out how he could have healed so swiftly. When he seized her hips and brought her to him on the table, all of it was forgotten. He licked his tiny, enticing lips like an animal preparing to pounce, his eyes brimming with hunger. Her breath caught in her throat this time, but she didn't mind. As the broad head of his cock rubbed against her wet slit, the last small voice of sense squeaked something about protection, but it was utterly lost under the scream of pleasure as he pushed in for the first time. She was on her way to take the medication. STDs weren't meant to be carried by dangerous special operatives, right? Any sense she had evaporated as he drew back a little before thrusting further, slicing her across his width. She murmured, "Fvck," as she ran out of oxygen to scream. "I'll," he murmured, chuckling and leaning in closer to her, arms on each side. She spotted the same hard lines on his face she'd admired on that damned rooftop, and she couldn't tear her attention away from them this time. He slammed into her slowly but violently, causing her to grasp her thighs to keep from slipping too far. Her cries became a cacophony of squeals, screams, and little purrs as he worked himself deeper and deeper, causing her back to arch and her nails to scratch down his sides and chest. He was overjoyed. He was unlike any man she'd ever met, the type of man you could only fantasize about. Raw, hard, and amazing sex, like you'd only see in movies. When he bottomed out in her, she felt the most profound fullness. As he clinched his teeth and pulled back then thrust back in, his big balls banged on her ass. She clung to him with everything she had. I'd want to have it. It's something I absolutely need. It's incredible. "Damn, you're tight, honey," he growled between clamped teeth, sending butterflies fluttering through her body like a demented whirlwind, tightening every muscle. He added, his voice lowering so low that it was hardly heard over a guttural grunt, "You feel so good." It made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, as well as tightening and throbbing in her core. As he crashed into her, she let out a few whimpers. He was now slamming into her with the hunger of a man who had gone too long without food. As he screwed her like it was the last time they'd ever have sex, Libby hid her head in the crook of his neck, screaming at the top of her lungs. And it could just as well have been because Libby couldn't think of anything else. "Oh my goodness! Jerome!" she screamed, unsure why she was crying for him, but it didn't matter. She sank her claws into his strong, muscled back, ripping deep enough to leave visible scars. She couldn't fight it any longer, wriggling beneath him as if she were possessed. Everything distorted and tightened in her as she gave in, cumming all over his cock and milking it with ragged, jerky strokes, as bright sparks shimmered between her closed lids. He lost all restraint and exclaimed, "Shit!" He drew almost all the way out before driving back in, deep and quick, his primal need crashing into her. And, according to Libby, as he discharged his load into her while she was still convulsing around him, he let out a howl that shook the damn place. Both of them let out gasps and strained for air. Libby felt as if her lungs were entirely open for the first time that day, as if she could inhale all of the oxygen in the earth in one gulp. She locked her knees around the small of Jerome's back, feeling his narrow hips dig into her delicate thighs and the lovely curve of her ass. If only I could keep moving in this direction... A droplet of sweat ran down his neck as he smirked, and his skin was dewy, as if he'd gotten into the honey pot with only evil intentions. He cocked his brow and smirked, "I told you you'd be full of me."

After a period of eighteen months... Reid Andrew screamed at the top of his lungs as he ran barefoot around the front yard chasing a ball. It bounced and rolled erratically from one portion of the grassy area to the next, leaping over the fence and allowing the child to chase it with renewed zest. With a giggle in her throat, Libby raised her eyes from her book. Despite the fact that she may have been reading scripture to birds at the time, she cried, "Be careful you don't fall, baby!" She slouched on the table, one elbow resting on the table, soaking up the midday sun. Even though it wasn't yet hot, she knew it would be soon, and not even the cold ocean breeze could keep her yard from being uninhabitable. As a result, she was spending as much time outside as she could, which was easy with Reid Andrew by her side. Though, as usual, she had the uneasy impression that someone was keeping an eye on her at all times. It never truly vanished. He appreciated spending time in the open air. Even when it was dark and the moon was high in the sky, she'd often find him standing up in his crib, staring out the window as if entranced.Taking him outside whenever he was in a bad mood would instantly make him feel better.It was like having the world's cheapest nanny. She laughed as he went after the ball once more, kicking it hard and tripping straight behind it. He knelt on his hands and knees, but before Libby could assist him, he'd hauled himself up and rushed after the ball as if his life depended on it. Libby shook her head and fell in her chair. When her phone rang, she jumped a little and reached for it. She still hadn't gotten used to it. She hadn't spoken to anyone in over a year, and it wasn't until five months ago that she started going out and interacting with people again. Reid Andrew demanded it, not for herself. He needed to know that there were people in the world other than his mother and the nice Lazada delivery guy who would bring them most of their goods. When Libby answered the phone and saw Raven's name on the caller ID, she smiled. "Hey! " she murmured, her gaze locked on Reid Andrew, who was running around in the yard. "Zay! Hey!" said the cheerful voice on the other end of the call, "I was hoping to catch you." Libby squirmed a little as she heard her new name, but she imagined Raven's lips curved in a smile as she spoke. The effervescent blonde was a bundle of fun and trouble wrapped up in a tight, voluptuous package. She reasoned glumly, throwing a glimpse at her pile of research and her MacBook, which lay idle, waiting for her to compose another copywriting article for a website that paid far too little. But single mothers fleeing an unknown monster bent on murdering them couldn't be fussy, could they? "How are you?" she asked, swallowing her hatred to the term "Libby," which had risen up her throat. "You know how you've been saying you should start dating again?" Raven began with a honey sweet voice riddled with traps. Libby could smell a well-planned plot a mile away when it came to Raven, and she definitely had some tricks up her sleeve this time. "I recall you advising me to resume my dating life. And I recall vehemently declining, given that I had a kid, a full-time job, and the house-" "Nonsense! You're young, you're lovely (or will be once I convince you to put on anything other than sweatpants and do your hair), and your life doesn't have to end because you had a baby! " Raven said, clearly having gone over all of her complaints in her brain. "I'm not going to take 'no' for an answer; you said you wanted to get out more, therefore I'm going to attempt to get you out more.Tomorrow evening. We're going out for drinks, and we're going to have a good time, okay? It's either this or I'll force you to use Sassy Date! " Libby averted her sight to the book she was reading before returning it to Reid Andrew with a sigh that sounded far more like early resignation than she cared to admit. Going on a date sounded like a fantastic idea. Despite the fact that she'd been in Batangas for what seemed like an eternity, she'd barely seen it. Her only true human interaction, aside from her lovely young son, had been online, where she was conversing in writers' communities and attempting to learn the craft as rapidly as possible in order to establish a decent living for herself and her son. Libby could smell a well-planned plot a mile away when it came to Raven, and she definitely had some tricks up her sleeve this time. "How about Reid Andrew?" I don't have a babysitter and can't reach anyone. Libby sold the lie that had been drilled into her head since being placed in her modest suburban townhouse. Even still, she felt a sense of regret as she realized she would most likely never see her parents or sister again. She did, however, have Reid Andrew. She wouldn't put herself out there simply because she had him. Especially because she had no idea who she was hiding from, let alone if they were still after her. "Don't worry about it, sweetheart! My sister is accessible and would be delighted to keep an eye on your little darling. Bring him over to my place at six o'clock, and we'll get dressed together. "You can also be certain Christine isn't some winged and horned creature destined to devour your child," Raven continued. Libby could see her good-natured roll of the eyes through the silly cellphone. "Fine," she replied, a small smile on her face. "We'll be there," she added. “At six o'clock tomorrow." "And then I'll see you!" " You won't be sorry!" Oh, she was confident of it. Libby, on the other hand, had already decided to go. It was bad enough that she was almost taking up residence in the house, but Raven was spot on. She had to rediscover her humanity. Even if the work appeared to be unachievable at the time. Dark thoughts clung to her ankles, seeking to suffocate her. That night. Jonah took his final, strained breath. The building's apex. Him. Libby stood up and walked up to Reid Andrew, shaking her head briefly. As she walked approaching the backdoor, she took him in her arms and hugged him tightly. "Come on, let's go. "Let's go have something to eat." Reid Andrew bore an uncanny similarity to him, which only made matters worse. That's a lot better. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "You look extremely nice in that!" Raven exclaimed as she sipped her wine cooler and grabbed Libby's. She almost fumbled while grabbing for it, but she managed to keep it from spilling on Raven's ruby-red gown. While looking in the mirror, she took a tentative drink. If she had to express an opinion on anything, she appeared to be in good health. Libby shifted her weight from one side to the other, scrutinizing herself seriously. "It's okay," she said noncommittally, her smirk buried behind her hand as Raven's eyes almost flew out of her skull. "Okay? OKAY?! You should be informed that this is an original music by Raven Nash. This is not something that everyone has. Let's start with the obvious: you're a babe. It's scorching outside. "Like a snobbish mother." Libby chuckled at Raven's glare and drank another glass of water, thinking about herself. Okay, that's alright. As a result, I'm probably getting a little hot. Her hair was tied up in perfect curls that she couldn't seem to tame without the use of a lot of magic. Raven forced her to put on makeup, which brightened her face and glistened on her flawless skin. She imagined it was related to the sense of purpose she felt as a mother. She had the impression that her figure was made for more than just being admired by men. That was also enjoyable at times. "I believe we can leave now," Raven cried as she jumped up and grabbed her Chanel flap bag. She was a tall, slender woman. She couldn't have been much different than Libby, tiny yet curvy with the kind of blue eyes that drew men in. Libby, on the other hand, was entirely at ease in the company of her gorgeous pal. And she was willing to bet she'd garner just as much attention as her model-shaped buddy that night. "Are you positive I'm allowed to leave Reid Andrew with Christine?" Libby mumbled as she marched out of Raven's huge bedroom. "Are you serious? Isn't Andrew Reid Christine's favorite? " Raven queried as she paused at the front door to put on a pair of black shoes, and Libby decided to follow her. Her feet began to scream before she could even put them on. Libby tightened her teeth, thinking about what she does on a night out. She hadn't stepped out in heels in a long time. "Of course," adds the narrator, "I do." He is a divine being! Christine cooed as she took Reid Andrew to the front door to say her farewell to Libby. Her heart was in agony. She'd only ever left him in the care of others when she needed to rush to a doctor's appointment or a customer demanded a face-to-face meeting. Writing technical documentation near Silicon Valley and moonlighting as a freelance copywriter not only provided her with enough money to live comfortably, but it also allowed her to spend more time at home with her infant. Reid Andrew's plump face glowed with excitement, and his bright blue eyes sparkled like pearls as she leaned in and kissed him on the cheeks. Every day, the evil voice in her head reminded her that he resembled Andrew. The same one that had been deafeningly quiet when she'd thrown herself headfirst into a night of wild passion with the ex-Navy man. As she swallowed that thought, Libby grinned bitterly. "Baby, please be a good guy for Christine." " "Bye, Mama," he muttered, his face lit up with that endearing little smile that could light up a room. "Please contact me if anything happens. Okay, I'll keep my phone with me at all times. " Libby replied, her eyes pleadingly fixed on Christine. "Oh my God, we're going out for drinks, not climbing Everest for six months. But if I see a guy named Everest, I'm going to have to climb him. Let's get this celebration going! " Raven grumbled as she dragged Libby out the front door. Libby wasn't sure she knew how to have fun anymore, unless it was watching Scandal or finger painting with Reid Andrew, but Raven seemed hell-bent on teaching Libby what she had voluntarily forgotten.