King Maker (King Maker 3)

“Of course. I know I need more security—”

“No. You’re coming back to New York with me.”

My jaw dropped. “I have a job.”

“You won’t be going back,” he snapped.

“You’re not the boss of me.”

We glared at each other.

“Maybe so. But my job is to protect what’s mine. And you’re carrying my bairn.”

Before I could respond, a nurse came in. She rolled in a portable cart.

“Miss Glicks, I’m here to do a quick listen to your baby. Do you mind?” she asked Kalen who still loomed next to the bed with a grim expression.

Kalen moved back as she, with my permission, shifted my gown to expose my belly. Then with a handheld device with what looked like a flat topped microphone she put a little gel and placed the microphone looking device on my belly. Immediately, a pulsing swishing sound filled the room.

Gabe heard because he came over and took my hand.

“Is that my brother or sister?” Gabe asked.

Though I nodded, I glanced up at Kalen.

“Da says I’m going to be a big brother,” he continued.

I was too stunned to speak. He’d told his son.

“Yes,” the nurse said. “And he or she is strong. I don’t think we need to do another ultrasound. I’ll let the doctor know.”

Then she left.

“Will you be my mommy now?”

My mouth opened and closed like I was a fish breathing underwater, which was what I felt like.

“Did you not like the ring?” Gabe asked, full of questions, not understanding the complications of relationships.

“Let’s let Bailey rest,” Kalen said, giving me a reprieve.

“Did you not do it right? Maybe you should ask her again,” Gabe suggested to his father.

Then he gave me the full weight of his forlorn expression.

“I’m honored you want me to be your mother.”

“Honored?” he asked.

“Happy,” I said, forgetting he was just a child.

“So you’ll be my mummy.”

I giggled a little because I thought of a monster wrapped in gauze and thought of how I must look to him.

“It means I really want to. But your dad and I have some things to figure out.”

The doctor came in and Kalen ushered his son to go back to watching his movie. It was explained that though our baby had survived, it was best if I stayed off my feet as much as I could for a while.

“It’s settled then,” Kalen said triumphantly. “You’re coming home with me.”

It made sense that I shouldn’t be home alone and forced to move around so much to take care of myself, but that didn’t mean I would let the smug bastard win.

“I hope you have a guest room,” I said, wiping the smile off his beautiful face.

Thirty-Eight

The plane ride back to New York had been subdued with Gabe stealing the show.

The sweet boy had asked to sit in my lap as he regaled me with his adventures in D.C.

“The space shuttle was so cool,” he said. “I think I want to be an astronaut when I grow up. Since Da rules the world, I will rule the universe.”

A quick glance at the man revealed a smirk. I just shook my head and stroked Gabe’s. He burrowed in as if he’d found a hollow in a trunk of a tree and I was the tree. I inwardly wept for the boy who desperately wanted a mother.

Somewhere along the way of his tales we both dozed off. I only woke when I felt hands trying to take Gabe out of mine. I looked up and saw Kalen.

“We are about to land.”

I nodded and released my hold on the precious boy.

Watching Kalen with his son only made me love the man more. I could see in the time he took to strap him in the seat, careful not to wake him. I trusted he would love our child the same.

My palm found my belly as it had many times a day since I found out I was pregnant. My gaze found Kalen’s whose was one me.

“Mhèinn,” he said softly.

But I’d heard and this time I knew he said mine.

Why was I fighting it? Him? I loved him, and time and time again he’d proven he loved me. What more did I need?

Time wasn’t on my side. We were landing and then getting into a car to ride back through the streets of New York. We didn’t have a minute alone until we stepped off the elevator to his penthouse and he swept me off my feet.

Gabe giggled.

“What are you doing?” I asked. Though I enjoyed this playful side of him.

“Doctor’s orders. You’re not to be on your feet if you can help it.”

I laughed. “I think I can handle walking up the stairs.”

Kalen grinned. “Stairs can be dangerous. Besides, we have another option.”

“Da, you’re silly.”

“You’re next,” Kalen said. “I’ll be back for yer.”

That only made Gabe laugh harder as Kalen walked us past the stairs. To the right, there was a small alcove and what could only be a small elevator door.