“Why are you up?” Sloan frowned, then looked behind her. “Where’s Pam?”
“The crackers helped, and so did a little nap.” Becky fingered one of his buttons. “And I told Pam she could go. I didn’t want her watching me sleep. I guess Jill stayed until you got here.”
“You heard?” Sloan moved a strand of hair away from her eyebrow.
“Yeah.” She nodded, then sighed. “Don’t be too hard on Sid. I don’t know what was said, but I can imagine with it being Sid. They’re just trying to process everything. I understand that because I’m doing the same thing, just as I’m sure you are.”
“He’s still walking, but he was warned.” Sloan assured her. When she didn’t say anything, he tilted her face up to his. “What?”
“How are you taking the news that you’re the father?” she finally asked after a minute of silence.
“I’m not going to lie, Becky.” Sloan’s eyes searched hers because he needed her to see the truth in what he was about to say. “Nothing in my long life has surprised me more. And yes, I’m still trying to process this, but I will love this child as much as I love you. I would have loved this child even if it wasn’t mine because it would still be a part of you. And I will do everything in my power to be the father this child deserves.”
Becky’s eyes filled, but she smiled through it. “You already are.”
Sloan stared at her, those three words hitting him harder than any fist ever had. He had been called a leader, a warrior, a killer, a bastard and plenty of other things that were true enough. But father was a word he’d never allowed himself to even think about.
Until now.
His hand slid to her stomach, his palm resting there as carefully as if the smallest touch could somehow make this more real. Becky covered his hand with hers, and for the first timesince Daniel had spoken the impossible, Sloan let himself feel it...really feel it.
Becky. His child. Their future.
And by God, he would protect all three.
CHAPTER 20
Becky sat behind her desk doing payroll. The last few days she had been feeling normal, well, as normal as she could. Her stress levels had diminished drastically now that Sloan knew everything. She was more focused but still had bouts of nausea.
The only issue she had now was Sloan touching her, or should she say not touching her. He was treating her like she was made of glass, and it was driving her crazy.
Slade walked in and headed her way. “I just talked to Sloan,” Slade informed her. “Dr. Holloway will be arriving sometime tomorrow. Sloan said he would be back in time.”
“Did he meet up with King yet?” she asked, pushing away from her desk. Sloan had informed her last night that he was making his trip to Florida. She had given him her blessing. In all honesty, she didn’t care what he did to the doctor as long as he got any information he could from the bastard. He had even asked her what she wanted and promised he would take care of it. She believed him and trusted him to do just that.
“Yes,” Slade replied, not giving her any other information. “How are you feeling? Still having nausea?”
“On and off,” Becky replied, then shrugged. “It’s not as bad, but with Frankie, I was sick up until six months. I think early on this time it had a lot to do with stress and not knowing what was done to me.”
Slade frowned, his eyes growing darker. “I’m so sorry that happened to you, Becky. It never should have happened. If you ever need to talk to someone about it, you know you can come to me.”
“Thank you,” Becky said and meant it. “I’m trying to focus on staying healthy for the baby. I trust Sloan to get information from the doctor who did the procedure. I know everyone has questions and doubts about what happened to me just like I do. So hopefully Sloan can fill in some blanks when he gets back.”
“You heard what was said in the kitchen?” Slade asked with a frown.
“Not word for word,” she replied then shrugged. “But I can imagine what was said and actually expected it.”
“Listen, this has taken us all by surprise. Even me. It’s normal to question, but please don’t take it personally. You are thought very highly of by all the Warriors.” Slade said, his voice filled with concern.
“It’s not me I’m worried about,” Becky replied, voicing one of her main concerns. “It’s Sloan. I don’t want anyone judging him. They can judge me and think what they want about me. Yes, it would devastate me, but only because it would reflect on Sloan.”
“Trust me,” Slade said, then actually grinned. “Sloan can take care of himself. I know it’s not fair to ask this, but just give the guys a minute to adjust.”
Becky nodded, then shifted uncomfortably. “Can I ask you for a favor?”
“Of course.” Slade looked at her expectantly.
Okay, this was embarrassing, but she really needed someone to talk to Sloan. “I know this is all new to Sloan. And, ah, well—” Becky bit her lip. She’d rather have nausea all damn day than talk to Slade about this, whether he was a doctor or not. “He’s, ah, afraid of hurting me and the baby.”
