Read Aligned: Volume 4 for Free Online

doesn’t.” He glances down at my hand. “Still, I’m glad he gave you this ring. I’m glad you kept the ring. You deserve it. It’s just like your mother’s.”  
    I feel tears welling up in my eyes. I didn’t know that he was with Landon when he bought this ring. I didn’t know he even remembered that my mother had a ring like this.  
    I open my mouth and then close it before opening it again. “Who do you think I deserve to be with if not Landon?”  
    His eyes lock with mine for far too long before he shakes his head. “I don’t know. Anybody would be better than he would.”
    I look out the dark window as we drive closer to our hotel. I don’t know why, but I feel disappointed.  
    Drew reaches out and touches my chin until I’m facing him again.  
    “Why did you come back? What is going on with you and Landon?” His hand goes back to mine, rubbing it calmly.  
    I take a deep breath. I don’t why I want to answer him, but I do. I don’t know if it’s the look on his face or the story about my ring or the comforting touch on my hand. He just makes me feel safe.  
    “I’m pregnant.”  
    His eyes grow wide, but his hand stays on mine soothing me even when he’s trying to soothe himself.  
    “Whose?”  
    I study his face, but he already knows the answer.  
    “His.” I nod.  
    “Are you sure?”  
    I nod again. “Pretty sure. The timing is right, and he’s the only one I didn’t use protection with. We are getting a paternity test to be sure.”  
    He sucks in a breath and nods. His hand moves a little faster over my hand now, but it still keeps me calm.  
    “How are you doing?”  
    I raise my eyebrows at him. I was not expecting that. I was expecting him to be worried about how this would affect Landon. About how it would affect his career and Alexa. I’m glad to have someone on my side. He might be useful in making sure Landon fulfills his responsibilities to me.  
    I smile. “I’m doing better now.”  

CHAPTER EIGHT
Alex

    263. The number of days I spent living on the streets.  

    I look around the grand house. The fifth one we have toured. It’s beautiful. It’s everything anybody could ever want. We have the money for it, but it’s not what I want.  
    Our realtor is busy explaining the craftsmanship of the house to Landon while I trail behind. I look up at the grand staircase in the foyer of the home that has seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms. It’s too big. It’s not safe here. There are too many large windows. Too many ways Ethan could see into our house to plan an attack. And it reminds me of the house Ethan bought.
    I thought that house was equally as beautiful, and even though its beautiful views drew me in, it never felt like home.  
    Now, though, all I want is revenge. And to set everyone free who has been hurt by Ethan’s crimes. I can’t look past that. I can’t envision a future with Landon and kids. All I can picture are my hands tightening around Ethan’s neck. Or firing a gun at his head as a bullet sinks into his brain. Or stabbing him in the back. I can’t see past my hatred.  
    I look up to see Landon glance back with a tight smile before turning his attention back to the realtor. He’s been distant, far too distant, since he got back a week ago.  
    I reach into my pocket and feel both of the flash drives there. I went back to my condo to get the one I threw away. The one I still haven’t decided if I should look at or not.  
    Landon and our realtor walk back to me.  
    “So what do you think?” Landon asks.  
    I shake my head. “I don’t like it.”  
    He tries to hide his sigh with a smile, but I still see it. He’s frustrated, as he probably should be, after looking at houses for three days straight. He has another concert to go to this weekend, so today is the last day we can look together until next week.  
    I glance over at our realtor who is frowning. She expected after we said we wanted to find something quick that it