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"She's ready." Threading my fingers through hers, I pulled her forward as we followed Nicky towards a room. The glossy floors and smell of antiseptic reminded me of when Phe and I had taken care of Tatiana after she'd been dumped in the middle of the city, addicted to heroin. The woman had been through so much, and I had a feeling that there was more that she hadn't told me about.
"Knight, we have to speak." Dallas, the other nurse I dealt with on a regular basis, stopped me right outside the door, and I waved Tatiana and Nicky on in.
"Have there been more?" I crossed my arms across my chest, leaning against the pale blue wall.
She nodded, frowning. "We had four come in yesterday, and two today." She picked at the leaves of a fake plant nervously. "I don't know what to do. The police keep asking questions, but I've managed to find the pills and get rid of them first."
I stared at her blue and orange earrings without really seeing them, considering her words.
"Knight!" Tatiana's shriek made me straighten. I pat Dallas' shoulder, brushing by her. "Call me next time someone comes in, 'kay? In the meantime, keep doing your best. We'll make a move soon. Okay?"
"Yeah, okay." There was still apprehension in her expression but I quickly forgot about it as Nicky came rushing out.
"Knight. Seriously? You didn't tell her?"
"Give me a minute." I shut the door behind me, not waiting for her to answer.
"What the ever-loving hell, Knight?" Tatiana stood from her chair, scraping it backwards until it hit the wall behind her. "You can't just decide to take my IUD out."
"I absolutely can." I stalked towards her. "I own your contract now, I can do what I like."
She had to stare up at me as I loomed over her. "You could've talked to me about it first."
"I did."
"When?"
"When I told you I was going to put a baby in you." I slid my fingers through her hair, tugging her head backwards to expose her neck to me. I pressed my mouth to her ear. "I gave you a chance then to dispute it."
"That..." she looked speechless. "That's not fair. You didn't...I..." Her eyes widened as she watched me fall to my knees before her.
I leaned forward, pushing my face against her stomach and tightly holding her hips. "I'm going to impregnate this belly, Tatiana," I crooned, my lips and nose skimming lightly over her flat stomach as I kissed it softly. My hands went under her dress and I dug my fingers into the supple flesh of her buttocks. "A little Knight or Tatiana, with eyes as blue as a summer sky and a cute smile," I murmured, the thought of the future filling me with joy. "I'll make a nursery for them in each of my houses; they would bring me such happiness." My gaze locked with hers. "And I'd love them with all my heart."
"Them?" She was running her fingers through my hair, her body leaning against mine, the warmth of her body flowing into me.
I nodded, kissing her belly again. "A whole house full of mini Tatiana's."
"I..." she faltered off. "I don't know. What if I'm..." She looked away, staring at the wall behind me and I knew exactly what I was thinking.
"You're not like your mom," I growled out. Standing up, I pulled her chin upwards so she would look me in the eyes. "You are the kindest, fiercest woman I've ever met. You'll love and protect our kids in ways that your own parents could never do."
"Are you sure?" Midnight blue eyes, open and vulnerable. "I'm afraid."
"Look how Honey took to you right away. Sheneverdoes that."
"She doesn't?"
I shook my head. "Never. She usually avoids anyone new."
"Well," her tongue came out to flick over her freckle.
"We'll love and protect them better than our own parents." I kissed her, nibbling on her lips tenderly. "I swear it." Cupping her jaw, I deepened the kiss, her arms going around my waist, clinging to me. Maybe she wouldn't run after all. Not if she was pregnant. Grabbing her hips, I pulled her up and into my arms, laying her down on the examination table. "Now, be a good girl, and spread those thighs for the doctor, okay?"
She stared up at me with those trusting eyes as I called out for Nicky, who immediately opened the door, her gaze meeting Tatiana's. "You sure?"
Tatiana hesitated only a moment, then nodded. "Yes."
I grinned like the wolf who'd finally caught the little lamb.