Hotshot (The Bennett Brothers 1)

“He’ll get over it,” I try to assure her.

“Why are we doing this again?”

“I’ve explained this already! We have to hurry. He’ll be back in an hour, and I want this shit over with.”

It took a lot of begging on my part, but I finally convinced Shaw to go home and shower, change, and maybe rest in a real bed. He left Claire in charge and promised to be back by nine. So I have little time left to accomplish my mission.

Claire rolls me to the maternity wing and bitches under her breath the whole way. When we get to Sasha’s room, I stand, refusing to let her see me in a wheelchair. It’s my time to show up unannounced and catch her off guard, and I don’t want any perceived weakness.

I knock and hear her call out to come in. Claire stays close as we walk in together.

Surprise and shock register on Sasha’s face, then she roams her eyes up and down my body. There’s still a lot of visible bruising, not to mention the brace and sling. She, on the other hand, shows no signs of being in a car accident or having a baby.

“What are you doing here?” she questions me skeptically.

“We need to talk.”

“Does Ren know you’re here?”

“Absofuckinglutely not. Pretty sure he would have tied her to the bed if he knew what she was thinking,” Claire answers for me.

“Figures,” she grumbles.

“Sasha, I’m the only one who can fix this.”

“Not sure this can be fixed. Did you know your doting fiancée has put in a complaint with the Bar Association, claiming I’m psychotic?”

“Yes, I know.”

“Did you know he’s had Caldwell serve papers with intent to sue, threatening to disintegrate my father’s entire firm?”

“Yes.”

“Are you also aware he’s trying to trump charges with the police of attempted manslaughter on two accounts, claiming I intentionally tried to kill you and Brayden?”

“Well aware of that, too.”

Claire snickers, causing Sasha to glare.

“Do you also know he wants full custody of my baby boy?” Her voice is shaky.

“I’m going to talk to him. I’m the only person he’ll listen to right now. He’s so blinded in his revulsion of you, he can’t see straight. The only time he’s not raving mad is when he’s with Brayden. Every time he looks at me, he’s reminded of what you did.”

“I’m well aware of his hostility and fury. He’s made it quite clear to my family that he runs the show. I’m not even allowed to hold or feed my son without a medical professional in the room. My parents are being shunned by everyone. No one will even give us a real update until after they’ve spoken to Ren. I’m the mother!”

“I think it’s time you opened your envious eyes and see what could have happened.”

“But you’re fine! Look at you!”

“Are you serious, Sasha? We could have died. One inch to the right, and the barrier we hit could have flipped my car. One more degree against that car could have injured someone else. Your motives and intentions could have killed us all. It’s time you took responsibility and understand you are lucky right now.”

“Lucky? You call this lucky? It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I never wanted it to be like this!” She starts to lose her cool, throwing her hands around, and I finally notice the sterile, bare, and bland room.

There are no balloons, flower arrangements, or cards of congratulations. There’s no sign of anyone wishing her happiness on the birth of her baby. Whereas, my room is filled, almost floor to ceiling, with all of that and more. Shaw’s clients, my co-workers, and even Nick’s entire football team has sent dozens and dozens of presents and well-wishes to us.

I don’t have an ounce of pity for her.

“We know what you did. Hiring a private investigator and playing on Sh