Rapture (Renegades 7)

She pushed against the arms of the chair to stand. The instant she moved, Chase was on his feet, ready to help.

“Do you need something?” he asked, expression concerned. “I’ll get it for you.”

She laughed and squeezed his hand. “I’m pregnant, not disabled. I just need to walk around a bit.”

Zahara made her way toward Lexi and Rubi, standing at the edge of the patio talking. They both turned their smiles on her. Zahara remembered being starstruck by their beauty when they’d first met. Now she knew they were both just as beautiful on the inside as the outside.

“Are you okay?” Concern hinted in Lexi’s bright blue eyes. “You can always take a break from the party and lie down if you need to.”

Another contraction clawed through her belly. Zahara pressed a hand to the back of a chair nearby, sipped air, and held it until the pain ebbed.

“Oh my God.” Rubi put a hand on her back. “Are you okay?”

If Zahara had a dollar for every time she’d heard that phrase over the course of her pregnancy, it wouldn’t matter that the studio had stood by their contract to take her back for the next two Burned movies.

She blew out a breath. “Yep, yep. For now.” She met Lexi’s gaze. “But I think this would be a good time for cake.”

Lexi’s blue eyes widened. “Really? Now?”

“Really. Now. I’m not going to miss this for anything.” She patted her belly. “And this little ‘anything’ might just take me to the hospital tonight.”

“But… I…” Nerves danced in her eyes. Zahara knew they weren’t about the baby. “Maybe we should head to the hospital now.”

“No way.” Rubi took Lexi’s hand. “You’re not getting away with that shit. You did it this way so you wouldn’t back out. Ride the fear, girlfriend. Ride the fear.”

Rubi dragged Lexi into the house. Zahara turned to watch them go and found Chase approaching, his brow in a tight frown. “Are you okay?”

Zahara smiled. “I’m really looking forward to having this baby so everyone can stop asking.”

A round of gasps drew their gazes to the patio doors where Lexi and Rubi each held one side of a tray holding a huge cake.

Everyone gathered around the table, oohing and aahhing at the custom cake. Chase took Zahara’s hand and led her that direction. At the edge of the table, she looked down on the stunning monstrosity.

Beside her, Chase said, “Chocolate cake, chocolate filling, chocolate icing.”

And a cascade of pink flowers across the top and down the sides. “It’s stunning.” She smiled at Lexi and gave her arm a squeeze. “Thank you.”

Rubi handed Zahara a knife, and she glanced at Lexi again just to make sure their plan was still in place. Lexi rubbed her hands together, pressed her lips tight. Nerves danced in her eyes, but she gave a nod.

Zahara found the single red heart hidden among the roses at the front edge of the cake and cut a deliberate square around it. Rubi lifted the piece to a plate and handed it to Lexi.

Lexi blew out a breath and turned to Jax, standing just to her right. “You are our official taste tester.”

He glanced around. “Me? Why me?”

When Lexi didn’t answer, Zahara said, “Just because.”

He gave them a you’re-all-crazy-but-okay look, but shrugged and lifted his fork.

Everyone grew quiet, as if they understood the request. Lexi shifted on her feet. Rubbed her hands together. And paled.

Rubi and Zahara saw it at the same time and flanked her, ready to catch her in case she went down.

Jax’s fork hit something hard inside the cake. He frowned and moved his fork. Tried again. Tap. Tap. Tap. He lifted his gaze and pinned Lexi with a sly what-are-you-up-to grin.

Her lips fluttered into a shaky smile.

A murmur spread through the guests. A sprinkle of laughter.