Rowan added, “No one ever said success didn’t come with sacrifices. Our parents taught us that. We would love to eat dinner with you, but we will return to our home tonight. As you can see, we are no worse for wear.”
“You are all too thin,” Jo stated, as she defensively crossed her arms over her chest.
Jo looked at HB then, with a ‘Help Me’ expression. What? Did she want him to forcibly remove them from the premises?
“We have money for food, damn it. It was a choice to not overextend on living quarters. Just for now. As a security of sorts. I just came from a doctor’s appointment, and she did mention my weight loss, but she said it was because of our busyschedule. That I was healthy. Baby is healthy. We’re good, Jo. Be happy for us, please.”
“Yeah, forget the flat, Jo. We sure as fuck try to,” River added sarcastically.
Some of Jo’s tension eased, but Raven was sure she was only rallying a better argument. She wouldn’t win. Raven and her sisters were going to make it. Their way.
Thirty minutes later, they were at The Fitzwilliam, and Raven was hugging Dom. They were both laughing and crying, and he was touching her stomach in awe.
“Miss Byrne,” he looked so happy. “A baby. Mr. O’Faolain must be beside himself.”
“Yes.” Bran was beside himself, just not the way Dom was thinking.
“Dinner about ready, Dom? I heard Honey Bunny’s stomach rumble on the ride here.” Jo was trying to save her from any further talk of Bran.
Glancing briefly at the glowering Titan, Dom ushered them toward a private dining room. “Yes, Miss O’Connor. This way.”
All sparkling lights and magic. Raven could feel her throat fill with unshed tears as she thought of the last time she’d been in this hotel. She placed her hand over her stomach. Five months.
The food was served, but only after Jo and Honey fought. Silently. HB wouldn’t sit down at the table. He stood at the door’s entrance. Jo asked him to sit down in a chair that faced the doorway. A compromise. He ignored the suggestion. Jo told the server not to serve anything until the gentleman at the door took a seat at the table.
Five minutes of silence later. Jo asked the same nervous server if a crust of bread might be procured for her pregnant guest. HB sat at the table.
Dinnerwasdelicious. Unfortunately, Raven didn’t eat much. Her stomach was in knots. She had to call Bran. She’d given herword, but it’d been four months since they last spoke. More time than they were even together.
There was always a chance he hadn’t waited for her. Though, if that were the case, surely Jo would know, and she would certainly say.
Mind made up, Raven placed her napkin beside her mostly full plate and began to move the heavy chair away from the table. Jo’s security guard was up and pulling her chair out before she’d even noticed he’d left his own chair.
“Oh, thank you, HB. Those chairs are bigger than I am,” she laughed. All eyes on her now, she explained. “Please, everyone, finish your dinner. I’m going to step out on the balcony and... call Bran.”
“Oh.”
“Oh, fuck.”
“Thank God.”
“Alright, then.” She was still standing in the same spot. “I’m going to do it now.” Still not moving.
River and Rowan slipped out of their chairs and stood facing her. Much easier for them without a giant belly.
“No matter what happens on that call, sis, you and Baby O will never be alone,” Rowan said.
“Never alone, Rave. You’ve got me and Honey too. Go on and do it. Bran has literally made me consider changing my number.”
Raven walked out on the balcony. There was a table and chairs set up in an alcove where the cold breeze didn’t penetrate. There was a standing heater close to the table, making it a cozy corner. Breathing slowly in and out to calm her racing heart, she dialed Bran’s number from memory. He answered on the first ring.
“Raven.”
28
He should thank Bran O’Faolain for finding his Eufaula camera. If he hadn’t, Sam would still be performing the same tasks, day in and day out, for who knew how long. He had felt dissatisfaction for a while now. His petty picture stills and occasional voyeuristic endeavors at the women’s gym held little appeal.
Even serving those he hated while in disguise had lost that thrilling edge.
