by Lane Hart
“Ah, about that,” he starts, glancing quickly at me in the dark vehicle before his eyes turn to the road. “Are you late?”
“Late? Late for what, bed?” I ask in confusion before I yawn and rest my head on the cool glass of the window. The exhaustion of the exciting day is catching up with me.
“I think we need to get you a pregnancy test in the morning.”
“A what?” I exclaim as I pop up straight again thanks to the surge of adrenaline pumping through my veins.
“A pregnancy test,” Miles repeats the foreign words again. “Don’t you think it’s possible you could be pregnant?”
“No!” I shout. “How could I be pregnant? We’ve only slept together twice and once was today. Besides, you wore a condom both times.”
The silence coming from Miles’ side of the SUV is concerning.
“You-you did wear a condom the first time, right?” I ask. The question is followed by only crickets chirping while I try to figure out today’s date and count the weeks backward in my head. “Miles?”
“Do it! Do it now!” he finally says.
“What does that mean?”
“That’s what you said when we were fucking, and I told you I wanted to come inside of you. I thought you were on birth control pills!”
“I thought you were wearing a condom!” I yell back at him.
“Are you kidding me, right now?” he huffs. “Then why would my cum be dripping down your thighs afterward if I had on a condom?” he snaps back at me. “Fucking with a rubber doesn’t feel that damn good or cause that big of a mess.”
“I just…I just figured it was all from where I, ah, enjoyed myself,” I admit. “The guys I’ve been with always used condoms and I never had an orgasm with them, so I didn’t know!” I shout at him when the last date of my period finally pops into my head. “Oh, my god. It’s been seven or eight weeks! I-I could be…pregnant,” I whisper placing my hand on my belly when the reality of that word hits me, and tears overflow from my eyes.
“I’m sorry, Kira,” Miles says. “I shouldn’t have done that…but I don’t regret it. I hope you won’t either. I’ll even understand if you don’t want to keep it…”
“Why…why wouldn’t I keep it?”
“Because we didn’t mean for this to happen. And it’s my fault for putting this on you,” he explains. “I don’t want you to feel trapped, with me or the kid.”
“So-so you-you don’t want it?” I stammer between the sniffles.
“Fuck, don’t cry, princess,” Miles says, and then his palm hits the steering wheel so hard I jump. “Look, this is your decision, okay? If you want to keep the kid, I’ll make sure you both have everything you need. And if you don’t want to keep it, I’ll go with you to the doctor. Let’s just get a test in the morning to know for sure, and then you can think it over for a few days.”
“I don’t need to think it over,” I tell him softly.
“Oh. All right.” Clearing his throat, Miles goes on to say, “I don’t blame you. Especially after everything that happened this afternoon. We spent the night scrubbing blood from the floors and walls and getting rid of bodies. Who in their right mind would want to have my bastard spawn?”
I may not know Miles very well, but it sounds like he wants me to have this baby and is convinced that I won’t keep it.
“He won’t be a bastard.” The word he instantly makes me think of holding our tiny baby, wrapped in a blue blanket. It’s not all that scary to imagine even if it is unexpected, to say the least.
“What?” Miles asks.
“He, or I guess it could be a she,” I reply, not minding one bit if the blanket was pink instead of blue, and maybe there’s a little pink bow in her dark hair too. “Whichever it is, it won’t be a bastard. We were married before…”
“Oh, yeah, right,” he mutters.
When he pulls up at the house, I say, “I thought we had to get rid of the SUV.”
“Shit!” he huffs. “I forgot.” Scrubbing both hands over his face, Miles says, “This will be easier. You can go pack your things.”
“Why do I need to pack my things?” I ask him.
“’Cause more of them could be coming. I’ll have to lay low until this is all settled, and I’m guessing you would rather I take you back to your parents.”
“Take me back to my parents?” I ask.
“I will. But it’s late. Can’t we do that tomorrow?”
“No, Miles,” I reply. “I wasn’t asking you to take me to them. I was trying to figure out what you mean by that statement.”
“You can go. I won’t ask for half of the money back,” he says.
“I don’t want to go back to my parents.”
“Then where do you want to go?” he asks.
“Why do I have to go anywhere? I thought you said you wanted me to stay.”
“I do,” he responds. “But that was before I brought up the whole unplanned pregnancy shit or killed four fuckers!”
“I want to stay!”
“Really?” Miles asks, leaning his shoulder against the window to face me. In the glow of the streetlamps, I can see the surprise on his face.
“If we’re gonna have a baby, then it should have a father in its life too.”
“You’re keeping it?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure, Kira? This is a lot more than you signed up for.”
“And you didn’t exactly sign up to have four men burst into your house to rob you either,” I point out. “If you’re not ready to get rid of me, then I’m staying. With you,” I add to make it clear.
“You’re staying, and you’re gonna keep my kid?” he repeats as if he’s not convinced.
“If I’m pregnant, then yes. Either way I don’t want to leave.”
“Why not?”
“Now you’re asking me why I don’t want to leave?”
“Yes. It just doesn’t make sense,” he grumbles.
“We’re married,” I remind him. “I didn’t agree to this just for the money. I wanted a marriage. Besides, the sex is amazing too. Why would I want to walk away from that?”
“Get your ass inside and on the bed,” Miles growls.
“What about getting rid of the SUV and packing?” I ask.
Reaching over, his gloved hand grabs a handful of my hair and tugs me forward so he can kiss my lips. Then, his wet, talented tongue moves lower, licking and sucking on the side of my neck before he says, “Tonight I’m taking my wife to bed and burying myself inside of her until the sun comes up. I’ll kill anyone who tries to interrupt.”
It’s embarrassing how wet my panties get from a kiss on my neck and a few naughty words from my husband.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Kira
“Come on. We need to get dressed and pack up a few things,” Miles says before the sun even starts to rise while running his fingers up and down my naked spine as we lay in bed.
“I’m so tired, though. Can’t we sleep for a few hours?” I ask. He wasn’t joking about being inside me all night. I enjoyed every second, although now I’m a little sore and incredibly exhausted.
“We can get some sleep when we’re someplace with better security.”
“What about Blackjack?” I ask.
“He’s coming with us, so we need to grab his food and all too.”
“Good.”
“Now get moving,” he says with a light slap to my bare bottom.
“This is so nice. I don’t want to leave just yet,” I tell him as I snuggle up to his chest, inhaling his spicy, masculine scent and letting my fingertips roam over his sexy abs. Not that I can see them in the dark, but I can feel them.
“Okay,” Miles caves with a sigh. “Ten more minutes, then we have to get going.”
“Thanks,” I reply, placing a kiss on his smooth, warm stomach.
“The stores aren’t open yet, but I’ll get you a test as soon as I can.”
“It’s okay,” I tell him because now I’m startin
g to already get attached to the possibility of a baby growing inside of me. Once I take a test, we’ll know for certain. I’m not ready to have the possibility taken from me just yet if our assumption is wrong.
Although, even if I’m not pregnant yet, as many times as Miles came inside of me last night, he probably would’ve sealed the deal by now. I’m starting to wonder if that was his intention, because he was relentless, in the best way.
“The spare room could be a nursery,” Miles says softly when he lifts my left hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles right above my wedding band.
“Yeah,” I agree with a smile.
“I could’ve bought another bed and put it in there for you, but I was hoping you would eventually cave and come back to my bed if I made you sleep on the sofa.”
“The sofa’s comfortable,” I tell him. “Not as comfortable as the bed, though. And I wasn’t sure if you wanted me in it again.”
“I was starting to think that I wouldn’t ever get to have you in it again.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” I ask him. “You’re kind and funny and sexy.”
“If that’s what you think, then you really don’t know me,” he mutters.
“Then let me get to know you,” I reply.
“The lie is better than the reality.”
“I doubt that.”
“Trust me,” he says before he slips out from underneath me and stands up to start getting dressed. I can barely make out more than his pale ass in the dark room, which is a shame.
“It hasn’t been ten minutes.”
“Close enough.”
“Fine,” I grumble. I’m so tired and was happy the way we were before he had to get all grouchy and jump ship. “Jack probably needs to go out anyway.”
“I’ll take him,” Miles says. “You don’t go outside on your own until this shit with the Russians is over. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” I agree, unable to figure out if he’s pissed at me for putting him in this situation or pissed off in general. Maybe he just needs some sleep too.
“I need to turn the light on,” he says.
“Sure.” Having some light should make it easier for me to locate all of my clothes that he threw around the room last night when we got home. Then I need to head for the shower.
Once my eyes adjust to the bright light, I watch Miles go over to the closet and then crouch down. There’s an occasional beeping sound from the big, metal safe before he stands up and shoves a gun into the inside zipper of his vest. Or cut, I should say, after all the time’s he’s corrected me.
“Do you always carry a gun?” I ask him curiously.
“Yes. At least one.”
“All the time? Even before all of this happened…”
“Always. Unless I’m naked,” Miles responds. “Do you have anything of value I need to lock in the safe until I get the damn front door fixed?”
“No.”
“Good. Don’t leave any jewelry or cash in the house in case someone busts in.”
“What about the television and the furniture?” I ask.
“It’s all replaceable,” he says simply before he walks out of the room.
“Yeah,” I agree, finally climbing out of bed.
Half an hour later and we’re pulling up in a scrapyard-looking business with random trash and car parts lying around. The fact that the big lot is protected by a tall, barbed wire fence must be the reason why we’re here.
With Blackjack in my arms, I throw my purse on my shoulder and climb out of the car just as a tall man with a limp comes out of one of the buildings.
“Miles? What’s got you up and at it so early this morning?” the man asks.
“Need a favor. Mind if we crash here for a few hours?” Miles responds.
“Sure, sure.”
“And I need you to crush this SUV ASAP.”
“That’s always a fun way to start the day. I’ll do it right now,” the man agrees as we meet him in the middle of the lot.
“Eddie, this is my wife Kira. Kira, this is Eddie,” Miles says by way of introductions. I’m pretty sure it’s only the second time I’ve ever heard him call me his wife.
“Hi. It’s nice to meet you,” I say when I shake the man’s hand. His jaw is still gaping when I pull away.
“When did you get hitched? Do the guys know?”
“Ah, a few weeks ago, and only Cooper knows right now,” Miles responds, making me wonder why he hasn’t told anyone else. “That’s why we’re here and not the clubhouse. You mind skipping the meeting to stay with her later today?” he asks Eddie.
“No problem. I ain’t been riding much anymore. Suspect I’ll be turning in my patch soon,” Eddie says sadly.
“Sorry to hear that,” Miles tells him.
“Ah, can’t nobody outrun time on a Harley unless you fuck up and freeze it,” he replies. “This your dog?” he asks, reaching over to rub Blackjack’s head. “Cute thing. What kind is it?”
“He’s a mutt some kid was getting rid of out at the supermarket. Looks like he has some lab in him.”
“Yeah, he does. Sparky will be happy to have a friend over,” Eddie says.
“Sparky is Eddie’s old bulldog,” Miles explains to me. “Come on, let’s get some sleep while he destroys the SUV.”
“Thank God,” I mutter, trying to keep the surprise off my face when Miles takes my free hand in his. I wouldn’t ever expect him to be the hand holding type, but I really like it.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Miles
I’m up and out of Eddie’s guest bed as soon as the alarm on my phone goes off.
Time for the Kings’ meeting.
“What?” Kira lifts her head from her pillow and asks groggily through heavy-lidded eyes.
“Go back to sleep. I’ve got to head out for a little while. You’ll be okay here.”
“Okay,” she replies before her head is down again and she’s out like a light.
I stagger around while I try to pull on my boots. Once my cut is in place, I’m ready to go.
Sparky’s old ass gets up just to bark at me when I step out the front door, making me feel like shit. At least Jack is happy to see me with his tail wagging.
“The mutt behaving?” I ask Eddie whose head is under the hood of a truck engine a few feet away.
“Yeah. Sparky likes the company,” he says.
“Good,” I reply. “You got a bike I can maybe borrow?”
“Sure. Take your pick. Keys are hanging up by the door in the garage in order of my rides,” he says without looking up from his project.
“Thanks,” I tell him. “Any problem with the SUV?”
“Only that it smelled of death,” he mutters, then finally glances over at me. “I crushed it, and whatever is left is burning now.”
After he mentions it, I can smell the scent of melted plastic and oil in the air.
“I appreciate your help, Eddie.”
“No problem. Tell the guys I’m babysitting, or I would be there.”
“I will,” I agree when I check my phone to see the time. “Actually, I need to run an errand and come back by before I go. Keep a close eye on her,” I say. “But not too close.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know,” he chuckles.
I grab the first set of keys in Eddie’s garage that go to an early model Electraglide. It easily cranks and sounds good, which is all I care about at the moment.
A quick drive later and I’m in the local pharmacy, trying to decide between a dozen different types of pregnancy tests.
I finally decide to go with the one that has several in the package, that way we won’t have any doubt.
When I place the box on the counter, the young, female cashier raises her eyebrows at my purchase.
“What?” I ask her. “I’m married,” I say, holding up my ring finger. “They’re for my wife.”
She’s smart enough not to make any comments while bagging the tests before I hand over the cash and get the hell out of there.
<
br /> I simply nod at Eddie when I pull back up in front of his place, then head inside to leave the bag on my empty spot in the bed for Kira to find if she wakes up before I get back.
Depending on how shit goes down after I tell the guys about the Russian shitstorm I stirred up, our meeting could take a while. Which sucks because I’m still tired as fuck and worried about Kira.
I wish we were still home in my bed naked and not dealing with a bunch of dead bastards. Hopefully soon we can get back there.
I’m one of the last to take my seat at the Savage King’s table for our meeting. “Eddie’s tied up,” I tell Torin, so they won’t keep waiting for him.
“He’s going to retire soon, isn’t he?” Chase asks.
“Probably. Said he’s getting too old to ride.”
“Well, we’ll keep his seat open until he decides,” Torin replies just as Reece comes in with two pink boxes and places them on the table.
“What’s this?” Abe asks while reaching over to lift the lid. “Titties! My favorite,” he exclaims, making the rest of us laugh when he crams two round pastries into his mouth at the same time.
“Compliments of Cynthia,” Reece says as he takes his seat. “Eat them up and go buy more.”
“Don’t any of you tell the old ladies we devoured Cynthia’s boobs today. They would never believe the truth,” Abe announces with a chuckle as he licks the center.
“Let’s get started so we can all get out of here,” Torin says before he gets things rolling. Apparently, we’ve had a damn good year and payouts are coming soon.
“Let’s try to keep things running smooth this year, with as few distractions as possible,” Torin adds, to which everyone agrees. “That’s it for me today. Mostly I just wanted to check in with everyone since most of us have our families keeping us busy lately. It’s good to see you’re all still in one piece,” he jokes with a grin. “Now, is there any business we need to address?”
“I have something,” Reece holds up his fist and says to get everyone’s attention right before I give a wave of my hand.
