Stands turned toward Grace, completely ignoring Scrub and me. I didn’t care as long as Grace was going to be fine. “I’m not comfortable with the wait-and-see approach, so I’m going to put some precautions in place. Less time between visits. More ultrasounds. No surprises.”
“Thank you,” Grace whispered, her eyes darting to the bed. It wasn’t much longer before we were alone again.
“You are not responsible for your father.”
“If I had done more, maybe none of this would have happened.”
“Truthfully, I think this stems from control.” I took a deep breath, turning the overstuffed chair to face her. “The more independent you are, the more his world crumbles.” I squeezed her fingers, trying to give her some of my strength.
“What about you?” Grace asked. Her eyes shifted, and I didn’t have to draw a line to know what she was looking at—the president patch on my club cut.
“What about me?”
“What happens if this is a girl?” She bit her lip, trying to hold the tears in. I wasn’t mad she was asking these questions, but I hated that she felt she had to.
“Hey, Mama.” I stood, swiping the bit of moisture from her eye with my thumb, placing it between my lips. “I’ve told you before, I don’t care, as long as you’re safe and the baby’s healthy.”
“This is your child…”
“No.” I squeezed her hand again, angry at her father for putting this fear into her mind. “JR is my son. We don’t play those games, and I’m not starting now because your father can’t let go.” I shook my head, watching the fluid drain from the IV.
***
Grizz
It was dark as I entered the kitchen from the basement. Streaks of light cut through the windows. Closing my eyes, I stood there, letting the quiet calm me.
I didn’t feel the need to stick around when the enforcers had it under control. Really, I had nothing else to say to Gerry, and I had a feeling he’d try to pull whatever heartstrings I had. Listening to him would only give him validation, and that was the last thing I was fucking doing.
Turning the corner into the main room, I quickly scanned it, looking for my wife. I didn’t see the back of her blonde head when my eyes swept over the couch facing the TV. Dead was watching the animal channel by himself. He must have felt me staring because he turned his head in my direction and pointed towards the stairs.
Opening my bedroom door, my eyes instantly fell on her back, and I breathed a sigh of relief. She was standing over Pumpkin’s crib, her hand hanging low to soothe the baby.
I made enough noise to alert her that she wasn’t alone. I wouldn’t let her spiral again. She was perfect for me, and I’d remind her of that fact as many times as she needed. Shutting the door, I let it latch before taking off my club cut and hanging it on the hook.
“Hey,” she whispered, not bothering to turn around.
“Hey,” I muttered, walking across the floor to wrap my arms around her from behind. I wasn’t sure if she would be up for talking, but when Meredith’s hand laced with mine, it was my sign she was reeling and needed grounding.
“No one will harm her. I’ll kill any motherfucker who tries.” Meredith was serious.
“It’s a good thing she’s still little, potty mouth.” We tried to limit the language Pumpkin heard, fearing her first word would be “fuck”, but my joke fell flat.
“She’s ours by choice, and we both would go to war if something happened to her.”
“Baby, I’d do the same for you.” I reached down with my other hand, patting Pumpkin’s tummy.
Meredith turned in my arms, throwing hers around my neck. She buried her face in the crook of my shoulder, letting out a sigh I felt in my chest. “Why does my dad sacrifice us? We’re his blood.”
I tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at me. “You know this won’t end well for him, right? The club isn’t offering protection.” I pecked her lips. “My only concern is you.”
“He’s going to die, isn’t he? Someone from the cartel is going to kill him?” Her eyes were glassy as she bit the bottom of her lip. I tightened my arms around her,not really knowing how to answer. I didn’t want to lie to her, but speaking the inevitable wasn’t exactly the right way to go either.
I didn’t respond fast enough. She snuggled up against me, and I heard her mutter, “He’s going to die.”
***
Thunder
