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Fiona cowers behind a growling Gatsby while I consider what I can use as a weapon. Olive stands silently at the doorway, seeming ready to run. When Larry starts pacing as if building up to violence, I consider hitting the panic button and bringing security back here. Would they save us from this coked-up monster?
“It’s Ashley!” Fiona cries. “She wants our family’s money! I’m going to die next!”
“Stop squealing, you little pig!” Larry screams at her. “You stupid broken bitch!”
“You know I can’t seduce anyone,” Fiona mumbles, bursting into tears. “I’m gross. No man wants me. It was Ashley. She’s got those big breasts and sexy hair.”
Larry throws a pillow at Fiona to shut her up, but I can tell his sister’s words pierce through the fog in his cocaine-addled brain. In what universe could Fiona seduce a man? When would she even execute this plan? She barely leaves the house. Meanwhile, Ashley flaunts her beauty unsupervised around the estate and McMurdo Valley.
“We’re all going to die,” Fiona whimpers, crying behind the pillow thrown by her brother.
Larry calls us all names, likely because his accusation is clearly stupid. However, I also sense he’s afraid. Todd’s three sons were apparently close. Eagle called them interchangeable. Now, one of them is dead, and the other is missing. Larry storms off, likely worried he’s next on the chopping block.
The next day, I’m relieved to get off the estate. Eagle and I meet for the doctor appointment, sonogram, and lunch. For a few hours, I’m able to forget about the trouble back with the Rogers family.
The sonogram shows no issues, and the technician thinks we’re having a girl.
“Your baby is flashing me, and I don’t see any dangly bits,” she explains.
Her wording makes me wonder if she’s messing with us. Then, Eagle nods and uses her first name. I sometimes forget how everyone seems to know each other in McMurdo Valley. Apparently, these two were a grade apart, and she used to party with the Steel Berserkers back when they were teenagers.
“I never fucked her,” Eagle insists when we drive to lunch afterward.
“I wouldn’t be jealous if you did. I know you were a wild man before me.”
Grinning, Eagle replies, “I’m all domesticated now, right?”
I can’t believe how excited Eagle is as we arrive at lunch. He can’t stop smiling, gaining confused reactions from locals who’ve likely never seem him so relaxed.
“I really wanted a girl,” he admits at Valley Crockpot. “I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because for a long time, no one had kids in my group except for Ruin. I watched Joie grow up. She seems cool. In my head, that makes girls easier or some shit. Whatever the reason, I’m glad our baby doesn’t have any dangly bits.”
Eagle’s excitement mixes with my own until we can’t stop smiling. During lunch, we go over a few name ideas. I can tell Eagle is holding back on his real choice.
We’re finished with lunch and making out in the SUV when I get a text from Todd Rogers’s assistant.
“The estate will be locked down starting at eight p.m. tonight. If you’re not inside the gates by the deadline, you won’t be allowed on the property until the lockdown ends.”
“Just stay with me,” Eagle insists when he reads the message.
“Larry threatened Fiona. I need to be there to protect her.”
“You shouldn’t be standing between that asshole and anyone. I know you love Fiona, but our baby needs protecting, too.”
Eagle is right. His words make sense. Yet, the thought of leaving Fiona unprotected sends me into panicked sobs.
“I can’t let her die,” I whimper against Eagle’s chest. “If she’s safe, I can step away without fear. I’m not there yet.”
Eagle wears a dark frown, and I sense he might not let me go back. Do I have the courage to force my way on this issue? Could I live with myself if I put my baby’s safety above Fiona’s?
“If Larry shows up again, you instantly contact me,” Eagle says with no wiggle room in his tone. “Hit your security button, too. You should assume he’s there to kill Fiona, so get help. Do you understand?”
Nodding, I wipe my eyes. “I promise.”
“You also tell him how the Steel Berserkers will kill him if he touches you. Nothing his daddy does will stop us.”
Calmer now, I ignore the latest drama from a dysfunctional family and focus on the sexy man who loves me. We spend the next hour fooling around in the SUV. As Eagle’s heat infects me, I can’t see past our passion. There’s freedom in his arms that I’ve never found before. I’m ready to commit completely to what we have together.
A text from Olive kills my good mood. Todd Rogers insisted Fiona come to the house immediately. Normally, she only must visit for dinner. Todd Rogers seems like a man of habit. For him to change things scares me.
