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“Klutz, I’m two days late. I did a test, and I’m about three weeks pregnant,” I announced. I would not argue about protective measures when my child was also at risk. Klutz stared, this time speechless. Klutz’s gaze dropped to my belly, and a smile slowly crept over his face.
“A baby?”
“Our child.”
“Gonna be a dad?” Klutz was still whispering as awe broke over his expression.
“Yup! I’m hoping you are happy about that,” I said.
“Holy fuck! Aurora, you’ve made me the happiest man alive! You’re perfect, beautiful, kind, stunning, and my wife and now baby momma!” Klutz dashed forward as I rose to my feet, and he grabbed me and swung me around.
“Shit! Did I hurt the baby?” Klutz cried, putting me on down.
I laughed. “No. She is well padded.”
“She? You can tell?” Klutz asked, looking stunned. “What the hell am I going to do with a girl? I’ll kill any boy who approaches her. She can’t date until she’s forty, and I’m too old to chase those fuckers down!”
“You’ll be fine, Daddy,” I teased, and Klutz gleamed. Wow, men glowed during pregnancy too. A smile crossed my lips at Klutz’s apparent happiness. That made me happy too.
“Thank you, baby, for giving me a family,” Klutz murmured, holding me tightly.
The unsaid words fell between us. A family that wouldn’t judge him and walk away, not like his blood and Rage. My heart suffered a brief pang. Despite our marriage, Klutz was still uncertain. But I could understand why and fill the rest of his life with happiness, love, and laughter. Because Klutz deserved nothing more.
???
Three days later, I was in my shop when a flash of white caught my eye. Curiously, I looked up as a cop car drove slowly past the window. The two cops stared in. I watched as they repeated their drive-by and then shot off. A shiver ran down my spine. And I knew not to ignore that.
“Ramirez,” Tonio stated on answering his mobile.
“Hi, Tonio. Sorry to bother you, but a black and white drove past today. Both officers were staring at me, and then they drove past again slowly before driving off,” I replied.
A disgusted noise echoed down the phone.
“Aurora, keep track of any times you see cars near you. The station’s in an uproar. IA has conducted another investigation, and Irons has been fired. Irons is facing charges of racial discrimination and hate crimes. Shit is hitting the fan here because while Irons wasn’t popular, he was a lifer. And Andy Haynes, well, his shooting has gone down like a ton of bricks. Cops are taking sides. Robby Haynes and Zucker no one gives a crap about, and everyone knew they were bad to the core. But Andy contained his crazy long enough to be slightly more popular.”
“So, I’m on every cop’s shit list,” I responded, my stomach dropping.
“No! Just those cops Andy deliberately cultivated and did favours for. Keep a diary, Aurora, and I’ll speak to the chief. Howser ain’t gonna be happy,” Ramirez promised.
“Okay,” I said and hung the phone up.
Distracted, I carried on setting out my displays and was working on stacking the books in alphabetical order when a knock at the door surprised me. Warily, I glanced up and saw Gauntlet standing, waving a bag. A huge grin broke across my face as I let him in and sniffed.
“You’ve been to Penny and Sin’s,” I accused as Gauntlet winked.
Greedily, I snatched at the food, and Gauntlet held it out of my reach, teasing me.
“What do ya want?” I demanded, and Gauntlet offered a slight smile before handing me one, and we sat on the floor. Mischief, smelling food, crept over and sent Gauntlet a look before settling on my lap and accepting a treat.
“How’s Klutz and Calamity doing?” Gauntlet asked.
“They seem to be okay. Calamity went through a dark spell, and Klutz yelled at him. Klutz’s reaction seemed to shock Calamity out of a depression. Sometimes, Klutz jumps suddenly for no reason and keeps a wary eye over his shoulder when we’re out. It’s hard to believe that twice he’s been a victim of police brutality and hate, yet Klutz remains the same loving guy he has always been. Klutz isn’t showing any bitterness, which is to his credit.”
“Klutz is a great man. And I’ll follow him anywhere, Aurora. You two are good together. A little sickly sweet, but the love between you makes me want something similar,” Gauntlet responded with a gentle smile.
Sailor appeared and batted at Gauntlet, and he gazed down at the tiny Bengal kitten before feeding him a piece of ham.
“So go find it!” I demanded, and Gauntlet let out a bitter chuckle.
