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This baby has a mother who’s not completely without funds, but she doesn’t exactly have a career in place to provide a comfortable life. On the other hand, the father has more than enough money, but he’s a murderer.
Who killed the baby’s grandfather. Awesome.
I sigh and close my eyes, trying to center my thoughts on something else. It doesn’t work. All I can think of is Hayden and his reaction to finding out I’m pregnant. If he was overprotective before, I shudder to imagine how he’d be now.
There’s a slim possibility that he’d be less overbearing now that Russell’s out of the picture. At least, I assume he is. Given the way Hayden shot both his kneecaps, I don’t think I’m wrong.
I’m in love with an insane man.
As if conjured by my thoughts, Hayden steps into the room. My heart drops into my stomach. The last time I saw him, he had a gun in his hand and an unholy rage in his eyes that burned brighter than hellfire. Now he stands just in front of the closed door, wearing a cautious expression.
A thousand thoughts and emotions swirl within me at the sight of him. I clutch the scratchy hospital sheets, willing my hands not to shake.
“How are you feeling?” he asks softly.
Despite everything, I soften a little at the tenderness in his voice. “Honestly? I’m overwhelmed. My head hurts every time I try to make sense of everything until all I want to do is sleep.”
Hayden nods, stepping further into the room until he’s standing at the foot of the bed. Close but with enough space that my anxiety doesn’t spike. “That’s understandable, considering what you’ve gone through.”
“Do you know what happened to Sebastian? And there was a little girl named Erika. She was also there, but she should’ve gotten away.”
“Sebastian has been better. Despite being shot and losing a lot of blood, he’ll make a full recovery. The child has been reunited with her mother. Once the girl lured you into the alley, they didn’t care about her anymore, and she was fine. Shaken up, but fine. Please don’t worry about them. It’s you that needs attention, Callie.”
“You weren’t here when I woke up…” I let the sentence trail off, unable to voice the question I want to ask.
“You know where I was.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. “Is he…?”
He nods, the skin along his jaw tightening. “Yes. If they ever find him, they’re not going to be able to identify him.”
“Good.”
Hayden’s mouth lifts into a small smile. “That’s my girl.”
I let out a shaky breath as relief washes over me. Cleansing me. Russell is dead, gone and buried. Although I already suspected that was the case, hearing Hayden confirm it with absolute certainty comforts me in a way I didn’t realize I needed.
“He’ll never hurt you, or anyone else, ever again,” he says.
“I shouldn’t be happy, but I am.”
Hayden scoffs. “Fuck that guy. No one touches you and lives.”
I nod, a lump forming in my throat. As complicated as this situation with Hayden is, I still care for him. Too much.
“Thank you.”
“I’d do anything for you,” he says. After walking to the side of the bed, he sits down with a long exhale, gazing at me with an unreadable look. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes.”
Hayden runs his hand through his hair. “I couldn’t let him get away. You know that’s why I had to leave, don’t you?” When I nod, he continues. “It wasn’t only because of that. I couldn’t watch you…”
“Die,” I say, finishing his sentence.
“Fuck, I can’t even say the word, not when it comes to you.” He reaches out to touch me, then retracts his arm.
I don’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed. “What’s wrong?”
