He offers his left, working hand. I quickly change hands and clasp it. He squeezes too hard—far too hard. I can’t tell if it’s a message or he can’t modulate his grip.

Judging by the way his alarmed gaze takes in the tattoos on my knuckles, it’s a message. That’s when I realize Nick Lawrence has all his faculties intact. He’s just trapped in a body incapable of speech or walking. Lucky for me, I guess, or he’d be raising the alarm about Lucy’s freedom.

“How’s Dad?” Lucy asks again, obviously trying to change the subject.

“Your father’s had his physical therapy already today, and the speech therapist was in. They have him using this iPad to communicate, but he doesn’t seem to like it,” her mother reports. “How are things at the firm?”

Lucy shrugs. “They want to replace Dad with a new partner, and I don’t think they want me.” She shoots a wry glance at her father, who frowns even deeper. He opens his mouth a couple times, his lips rounding like he’s trying to form words, but he eventually gives up, shakes his head in obvious frustration.

“They can’t pick a new partner without your father’s vote,” Lucy’s mother says.

“Oh, I think they plan to,” Lucy says. “I think that’s precisely why they chose now to act.”

Her father makes some unintelligible sounds.

“They’d have to buy out his share,” Barbara says. “And I’ve had no offers.”

Nick lifts his good foot and plops it down on the wheelchair foot pad, like he’s stomping it.

“I know, dear. I wouldn’t accept them anyway. You plan on going back.”

I hide my wince. In my unprofessional opinion, there’s no way in hell Nick Lawrence will practice law again. But you never know. Miracles do happen.

“But he still has a vote and a voice in any decision they make. I will call Dick myself and tell him I’ll stand in as his proxy until he recovers.”

“No, Mom,” Lucy snaps. “They already think I’ve had everything handed to me because Dad is a partner. If I make partner, it’s going to be on my own merits not because my mother called and pitched a fit.”

Barbara sniffs. “Well, who do you think they want to be partner?”

“I don’t know. But Dick stopped by my office to tell me again how representing members of organized crime is destroying the firm’s reputation. Nevermind that nearly all my cases are referrals from the Tacones. Nevermind I made as much or more for the firm as any associate last year.”

Nick turns his wheelchair to face me directly and tries to speak again.

Lucy darts a glance at him then me.

I don’t play dumb. The truth is, I see the man’s obvious frustration with being unable to interact.

I grab a stool and sit myself right in front of him, meeting his defiant glare. “I care about your daughter, Nick,” I tell him. “I was surprised but happy to learn about her pregnancy. We are committed to seeing if we can work things out to raise our baby together.”

Lucy goes still. Nick studies me intently, like he’s trying to read the rest of the story.

“Wh-where did you say you two met?” Barbara asks.

“Washington, DC,” Ravil answers. “I was there on business. Neither of us actually realized we both lived in the same city until I was in her office this week.”

“Lucy?” her mother warbles. “Is this… all true?” The woman appears shocked. I’m sure Lucy engaging in a one night stand in Washington, DC is completely out of character for her daughter.

“Yes,” Lucy murmurs. “It’s true. Ravil actually showed up as a client Monday,” she tells her father. “Well, I’m representing a young man he posted bail for. He hired me.”

I take her hand and squeeze it.

“Well, lots of people learn to co-parent without becoming a couple,” Barbara offers.

Christ. Do I really seem that unsuitable? Offense taken.

“Indeed.” I stand. “Well, we can’t stay long. We have a birthing class to attend.”

“Lamaze?” her mother asks.

“Bradley Method,” I answer. Lucy hides her surprise because this is the first I’ve mentioned the class or the method. “But we’re also considering hypnobirthing. Harnessing the power of the mind to create a relaxed and painless birth. It’s up to Lucy, of course.”

She gives me a tight smile.

I lean over to shake Nick’s left hand again. “I’m going to take good care of Lucy, don’t worry.”

Lucy leans over and kisses his cheek. “I love you, Dad. I’m sorry I can’t stay longer.” She hugs her mom again. “Bye, Mom.”

As we walk out, I take her hand and find it trembling. She sniffs. I stop, realizing she’s holding in tears. A deep sense of horror ripples through me. Like my body physically can’t stand seeing her upset.

“Lucy…”

She jerks her hand out of mine and waves it at me. “It’s all right. I cry every time I leave here. It’s the pregnancy hormones. And I hate—” she chokes a bit— “seeing him like that.”

Tags: Renee Rose Chicago Bratva Romance
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