Page 114 of Unruly

However he could.

“I have to head out for a bit today,” he told her.

“Round up the men, I bet.”

Cross chuckled. “Something like that.”

Protect his streets and people, mostly.

“It’ll work out,” Catherine whispered.

“I know.”

“Then why do you sound so unsure?”

Cross heaved a sigh. “I want to protect Zeke. I wanted to do that from the start. He’s my best—one of my only—friends.”

“Sure.”

“And then that mess happened with our house.”

Catherine peered up at him. “Everyone is fine, Cross.”

“Because you weren’t there, though.”

“Yeah, but—”

“There’s no but in this, Catty. That’s the thing. They don’t give a shit who they come after as long as it gets them what they want. So, yeah, I protect Zeke and Kayta, but what might I have to give up for it? What will we have to give up? Is she worth that?”

“Cross.”

“Is she?”

He didn’t know.

Catherine came back with an answer that at least made some sense. She was good that way. Always filling in where Cross lacked.

“Maybe give her the chance to show she is worth the effort. And since I know that I also should do the same, I will.”

“How?”

“By letting her in.”

“Heartbeat is sounding quite strong at one-twenty-two beats per minute,” the ultrasound technician said with a wide smile. “Let’s see what else we can look at, and make sure the size matches your weeks.”

On the screen, gray, white, and black masses swirled while the tech moved the wand across Catherine’s flat stomach.

“It says on your chart you’re almost eleven weeks along, right?”

“Just about.”

The woman nodded.

Through the speakers, the baby’s heartbeat rushed with a whooshing sound in the background. Like the hooves of horses galloping in white noise.

In the masses, the picture slowed to show the shape of a developing baby. Shortened limbs, a large head, and small body. In the chest area, the heart fluttered away.

“Everything is measuring well,” the woman said.