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“Darlin’, I have nerves of steel and the spine to match it, but that look on your face is scaring the shit right outta me. So, out with it ’cause I ain’t got a clue what this is all about.”
“I find that a little hard to believe.” Claire continued that stare.
“Wife!” Prosper bellowed out while he narrowed his eyes at Claire.
Both women jumped in their seats so high that the drinks splattered on the table.
“What’s the damn date?” Prosper snarled.
“It’s the twenty-fifth. Why?” Pinky looked confused.
“I want you to mark it on the calendar. First time in my life I have ever been called a liar—and by my own daughter at that!” he roared out that last part.
“Oh, I’m sure Claire didn’t mean to …” Pinky looked from Claire to Prosper then back again.
“Well, that’s the point, isn’t it?” Claire leveled a look at Prosper.
“What’s the fucking point?”
“You just said that I’m your daughter.”
“What the hell are you talking about?Nowyou take exception to that? Don’t matter a damn to me who your daddy is. I love you like my own. That’s a problem for you suddenly?” As he said the words, Prosper felt something break a little bit inside of him. His feelings were hurt. Never in his goddamn life had he given two shits about hisfeelings.But right now, Claire questioning the bond that they shared cut him to the quick.
“I love you, Prosper, with all my heart and you know that.”
Prosper scowled and muttered, “Thought I fucking knew it.”
“Claire, honey, maybe you better tell us what this is all about,” Pinky prodded.
“I do love you, Prosper,” Claire repeated.
Prosper continued to stare at her.
“He knows that. Of course, he knows that.” Pinky gently intervened. “Tell her you know that, dear.”
“Never mind what I do or don’t fucking know. Get on with it, Claire,” Prosper snapped out.
“Stop yelling at me!” Claire crossed her arms over her chest.
“I’m not yelling!” Prosper smashed his fist on the table.
“Claire …” Pinky started. “I think you better just say what’s on your mind, sweetheart.”
“Okay.” Claire’s tone held an element of fear. Ahere-we-gokind of look was plastered all over her face. “Well, you know how Reno and I have been trying to have a baby?”
Prosper’s eyes softened just a little.
Claire’s infertility problems stemmed from a violent episode in her past. It pained Prosper to think of it. Reno had shared with Prosper that this whole baby thing had begun to take its toll on Claire and on their marriage.
Reno had known early on that his wife was unable to have children. It hadn’t mattered to him then, and it didn’t matter to him now. But having a baby of her own meant the world to Claire, and Reno would do anything to make his wife happy. To that end, Reno had been heading up the club’s more dangerous and lucrative business dealings in order to pay for expensive and experimental fertility treatment plans. All of which had failed thus far.
“We know how much you want to start a family of your own,” Pinky offered while Prosper brooded.
“Well, as you can imagine, all of thattryingcomes with a whole lot of medical workups.” Claire went on to explain, “Half of it is all medical jargon and over my head. And honestly, the other half of it? I don’t pay much attention to. I don’t care about the hows and whys. I just want to get pregnant.”
“Still don’t know what this has to do with me.” Prosper grouched.
“God, you really don’t, do you?” Surprise was written all over Claire’s face.
