Oh shit. I didn’t need another one of Cade’s brothers finding out about our little bundle of joy before he did. What was he doing at the doctor’s anyway? Wasn’t he some bad ass that refused to acknowledge he wasn’t indestructible? Maybe all those dalliances with various women were catching up with him. I tried to snatch the photo out of Bull’s hand but it was too late.
“What are you guys all doing here? I heard Gwen was sick, shit is it serious?” Lucky approached and his grin turned to concern, he then glanced at what Bull had in his hand. He snatched it.
“What do we have here that you’re looking at so intently. I hope it’s not any naked photos…” he stopped short when he got a look at the little piece of paper. I watched as his mouth opened in shock. “Seriously, you guys are into some sick shit…” he began, then a grin spread across his face. “Holy shit, Princess you’re pregnant?” he all but yelled.
I winced as people started to look our way. “Try not to announce it to the whole town Lucky, Cade doesn’t even know yet,” I scolded quietly.
Lucky ignored me and pulled me into his arms. “This is fucking great! You guys having a kid, I mean fuck! This calls for celebration, we’re having a party. Tonight!” he decided, putting me down.
“Um no party tonight,” I argued, ignoring the slight falter in Lucky’s smile.
“I want to tell Cade first. Alone.”
Lucky smirked. “Fair enough, Princess. I can imagine his reaction might not be suitable for a whole party full of people.”
I poked my tongue out at him, forgetting for a moment that I was a mother now and shouldn’t be doing such immature things. He slung an arm around my shoulder and patted my belly softly.
“Real mature Princess, think you might have to find better comebacks, since you’re going to be a mom and all,” he laughed as our crew walked out the door.
“I’m going to be a mum,” I corrected him. “My child is growing up half kiwi you know.”
“Yeah, he’s also growing up half Templar.” He winked. I just rolled my eyes and ignored the ‘he’ in that sentence. Why were men always convinced women were having boys?
The aroma of garlic and chicken wafting around my nostrils made my stomach roll slightly, but I ignored it. I was too excited about the fact that Cade would be home any minute and I would get to tell him about the baby. I was still nervous, like really nervous, about his reaction, but the boys had quelled my nerves slightly. I had decided to make him a delicious dinner at his house, partly because we hadn’t been here in a while and partly because I wanted us completely alone to (hopefully) celebrate. I had stuck the ultrasound photo on the fridge, hoping he would notice it when he went to get his beer. Which was pretty much the first thing he did when he got home, well after making out with me that was.
I got the chicken out of the oven, turning my head away from the smell. Morning sickness my ass. I had thrown up twice this afternoon, which didn’t bode well for the rest of my pregnancy. Figures Cade’s child would be a handful, even in the womb. My stomach dropped for a different kind of reason, hearing the telltale sound of Harley pipes coming down the driveway. My nerves were interrupted by my cellphone ringing. I picked it up, intending to ignore the call until I saw who it was.
“Matt! How the heck are you stranger?” I greeted warmly.
“Hey sweetheart,” Matt returned, tone unusual.
Matt was the officer who found me after my attack. He had taken me to the hospital and stayed with me until Amy had arrived. He also visited me the day I woke up. He was sweet and caring and helped me get through my therapy. We had become great friends, although I hadn’t heard from him since I’d moved.
“I am so sorry to do this, I’ve missed talking to you and all but this isn’t the best time. Can I call you back?” I asked him, hearing Cade’s bike stop.
“Not really, Gwen, I’ve got some news.” This pulled my attention away from the door, which I knew Cade would be walking through any second.
“What is it Matt? Finally popped the question to Misty?” I joked, still unable to read his strange tone. It wasn’t urgent, but he sounded like it was something important.
“No love, it’s about O’Fallen,” he told me quietly.
I braced myself against the counter, my knees threatening to buckle. Oh no, please tell me this fucker wasn’t messing with my life again. Not again, not with me and my child.
“He hasn’t escaped has he?” I whispered into the phone, praying for the answer to be good.
“No, Gwen. He’s dead. He was found in his cell early this morning, stabbed.”
My breath left me in a whoosh at this news. I barely registered Cade walking through the door, concerned eyes already reading my distress.
“Dead?” I repeated. Cade heard this, strode towards me and yanked me into his arms, eyes locked on mine.
“Yeah, honey. Usually I’m not the kind of man that relishes delivering this type of information. Shit, I never thought I’d be glad at the news of someone being murdered. But I am, after what he did to you and countless others. I can sleep easy knowing the world is rid of that maggot,” he declared fiercely.
I listened to his words, but barely heard them. Cade was staring down at me, worry clear in his expression. I could tell he wanted to yank the phone out of my grasp, but I had a death grip on it.
“Gwen? It’s over honey, he can never hurt you again,” Matt told me softly.
“Um, thanks for telling me Matty,” I said quietly. “I’m glad I heard it from you. Can I call you back? Kind of a lot to deal with.” And I had the small problem of Cade, who was squeezing me so hard my baby was in danger of popping out seriously early.