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The next morning I arrive at the doctor’s office right on time. A miracle for me if I’m being honest.
I wait around for a while before I’m finally brought in to an exam room and asked to change.
The technician looks around Heidi’s age, but she’s friendly and explains everything in detail.
The cool, slippery gel she spreads over my stomach is the easy part. Watching her slide the wand back and forth, while she searches and searches, finding nothing, brings tears to my eyes.
“It’s okay. It might be too soon,” the tech assures me. She calls someone in for a second opinion and they try again.
Nothing.
The doctor finally comes in to see me. “Well, your hCG rates are increasing. I would feel better if we’d seen the yolk sac today. But it doesn’t mean anything is wrong. We might just be too early.”
I swipe at the tears gathering on my lashes. “Early, that would be a first for me.”
She’s not unsympathetic, but she’s not super-cuddly either. “Let’s get more blood today and schedule you for the transvaginal ultrasound next week. That should give us a more definitive answer.”
I’m good at ignoring and burying the things that bother me. After leaving the doctor’s office, I return to the office and prep for my trial without crying once.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
My trial gets adjourned at the last minute, freeing up my whole day.
Leaving me way too much time to dwell on tomorrow’s appointment.
Dinner with Heidi, Murphy, and Alexa is what I need to take my mind off things. Heidi’s chatter and Alexa’s happy babbles more than cover up my silence.
For a little while anyway.
While Murphy and Heidi clear the table, Rock slides his hand over mine. “Everything okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Of course that’s not a good enough answer for Rock and he waits patiently for me to continue. When I don’t, he prompts, “Rough case you’re working on?”
Actually, yes. I have another case that needs my attention. I got so caught up in preparing for the trial, I’ve almost neglected everything else.
“Yes. The hearing’s coming up Friday and I’ve had a terrible time reaching one of my witnesses.”
One corner of his mouth lifts. “Want me to locate them for you?”
“Absolutely not.” My answer comes out sterner than normal because I don’t think he’s joking.
He cups my jaw, rubbing his thumb over my cheek. “Everything else okay?”
Those probing gray eyes of his are almost too much. Does he already suspect?
Keeping secrets from Rock isn’t easy. Normally, I love his attention. How he’s attuned to my needs and moods.
Now with him watching me so intently, it feels dangerous.
Relentless guilt settles in my belly. Claiming the need to work on my case, I retreat upstairs to escape Rock’s scrutiny.
Something isn’t right with my girl, but I can’t put my finger on it.
“Ready?” Murphy says.
Shit, I never told Hope I had to go back out tonight.
“Give me a few seconds.”
“I’m going to start her bath,” Heidi says, nodding at Alexa. She leans up and kisses Murphy’s cheek. “Be careful.”
I nod to Murphy to go help Heidi out. “Go on. I need to talk to Hope.”
I find her in the room across from our bedroom. The room I thought one day might make a good… well, it doesn’t matter what I thought. Since Alexa’s taken over Hope’s home office, Hope uses this room to review documents and prepare for court.
She’s curled up in her over-sized chair, glasses on, hair up, practically swallowed whole by one of my sweatshirts. Skintight leggings with little skulls all over them cover her legs, leaving her feet bare.
So fucking beautiful I stop to watch her for a few seconds before letting her know I’m there. The pressure of knowing I’m needed somewhere else finally spurs me forward. I walk up and tickle my fingers over the soles of her feet.
She yelps and jerks her feet away. “You know feet are off-limits.” Her wide smile negates the scolding tone.
“You looked so serious. Enthralling read?”
She rolls her eyes and sits up, placing the folder on the table next to her chair. “No, it’s a medical report that I need an expert to explain to me. What’s wrong?”
“Murphy and I are heading out.”
Not that I want my wife unhappy, but I wish she didn’t look so relieved that I’ll be gone for the night.
“You feelin’ all right, baby doll?”
Her gaze slides away. “Why do you keep asking? Do I look bad?”
“Never.” It’s true. No matter what she says, she’s always beautiful to me.
“When will you be home?” The anxiety creeping into her voice doesn’t make me feel better either.
“Not sure.”
She sits forward and takes my hand. “Please be careful.”
“Always. I’ll try not to wake you when I get in.”
“Wake me, so I know you’re home safe.”
I lean in and kiss her, taking a few extra seconds to show her how much I hate leaving.
“Christ, was wondering if you were ever gonna show up,” Z bitches as soon as Murphy and I step into the garage.
“Shut the fuck up,” I answer without even glancing his way. “Van loaded up?”
Wrath throws me an annoyed smirk. “Just waitin’ on you, Prez.”
Ignoring him, I glance around for Sparky.
“Got his list and details here,” Z says, waving a little red notebook in the air.
“Well then let’s stop bitching and get moving.” I lift my chin at Dex. “You take the van with Hoot.”
“Got it.”
“At least someone knows how to listen and show respect,” I grumble.
Wrath shakes his head, but for once keeps his mouth shut.
Neither Teller nor Murphy have spoken and I glance at both of them to see where they’re at.
“Teller, you ride next to me.”
“Rock—”
I cut Wrath off before he gets out his protest. “Shut your mouth and watch my back like you’re supposed to.” I stare at him for a second to make sure the order sticks. “Murphy and Bricks, behind the van.”
“You got it,” Murphy says. Bricks echoes the comment.
“Ass-kissers,” Z mutters.
Murphy flips him off before starting up his bike, which finally drowns out Z’s bitching.
The ride does little to clear my head. It’s purely business. Everything that brings me pleasure is at home.
At least Loco’s waiting outside behind his diner for us. If I have to drag my ass out here to meet him for every delivery, he should too.
This time Malik’s with him and we nod to each other. Still haven’t figured out how Loco really feels about Malik potentially joining the MC as a prospect.
“Don’t say it,” Wrath growls when Loco slides his gaze between Wrath and Malik.
“But it’s uncanny.” Loco cackles with glee.
Malik levels a slow glare at his friend. “I hate you.” His serious rumble of a voice would give any sane man pause. Loco just laughs harder.
“Enough fucking around.” I glance behind me, searching for Z. “Hurry up, Mr. Punctual.”
Z’s boots crunch over the gravel at a lazy pace and I shake my head. “Let’s take this discussion inside.” I nod to the back door.
Z, Loco, Malik, and I crowd into the hallway. Loco really has earned his nickname. He doesn’t seem the least bit intimidated being crowded into a tight space with three men who’re easily each twice his size.
Two who aren’t particularly thrilled with him at the moment. A glance at Malik’s somber expression says maybe my count is off.
“Damn, Rock. How you just take off for eighteen days and not tell a man? We do business together. Long time now. Don’t I get that courtesy?”
“I did tell you.” My
clenched jaw does little to hold back the irritation in my voice. “I also told you when we returned that I had some things to handle.”
“Well.” Loco sniffs, and brushes some imaginary lint off his sleeves. “Your boy Stash took care of me.”
“Good. You’re the only person I gave him special instructions about.”
He beams as if this is a compliment.
It’s not. My instructions were: No matter how much he irritates you, don’t blow his fucking head off.
“What was the problem?”
“Well, I ran low. That your boy helped me with. But I also had some clients that needed to be spoken to.”
I flick my gaze at Malik and it’s not lost on Loco.
“Yes, that’s what Malik’s for, but my other guy was on vacation and I coulda used an extra set of hands.”
This is where I think Loco’s gotten his wires scrambled. We’re two separate entities. He is not part of the MC. He’s someone the MC does business with and I’ll help him out when and where it suits the needs of the MC. I can not and will not drop club business for him.
How to convey that without hurting his tender feelings?
Jesus Christ, working with DeLova’s crew gets more appealing every day.
