Page 74

I screamed like a girl as we swerved away and my legs nearly clipped the other vehicle. Then she slammed on the brakes and we came to a crushing halt. My fingers were numb as I clung for dear life, despite not moving anymore. Gabe and Jackson popped up, peering over the edge.
“You okay, there?” Gabe asked, frowning down at me.
Was I? My whole body was shaking after that terrifying experience. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to shit properly for the next few days. Sure, I’d had some close calls in my life, but I always had the guys at my back. This time, it was some jungle lady behind the wheel making the decisions. My bladder couldn’t handle this kind of stress.
I nodded, exhaling slightly as I finally unclenched enough to release the vehicle. I collapsed on the ground, staring up at the trees. Gabe jumped out and stared down at me. “Three hundred billion trees,” I exhaled. “That’s a lot of fucking trees.”
Gabe twisted and stared up at the trees with me. “You do know there aren’t three hundred billion trees right here,” he said, pointing to the ground.
I nodded again. “Yeah, but thanks for the clarification.”
Jackson jumped out and clapped his hands. “That was a good time, but we still have this Hugh guy to deal with. Any chance you guys want to…” He jerked his thumb away from where we were.
“You’re going to have to help me up. I don’t think I can do it on my own.”
Gabe rolled his eyes. “You know, you came back from a year of torture and you weren’t this much of a wimp.”
“I’m older,” I grunted as Gabe leaned over and held out his hand to me. I grasped it and allowed him to pull me to my feet. Bending over, I sucked in a deep breath. Maybe I was getting too old for this shit. After all, I was…
“Fuck.”
“What? Is someone out there?” Jackson asked, glancing around.
I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. “No, I just realized how fucking old I am.”
“You mean, you forgot?” Jackson asked.
“Forgot or just didn’t realize until I was almost thrown out of a Jeep and smashed into a tree?”
Gabe shot me a funny look. “Wait…this scared you?” he asked, his arms spread out wide as he spun in a circle. “We’ve been through some difficult shit, and now you’re scared?”
“Man, I will never get like him,” Jackson snorted. “Already losing his edge, and he hasn’t even hit fifty yet.”
“I haven’t lost my edge. I’m just…realizing I could die much easier now.”
“You could die just as easily as before. In fact, it’s a fucking miracle you’ve survived some of the stupid shit you’ve done.”
“Like telling Morgan you wanted to get married to draw Victor out. That was the epitome of taking your own life in your hands.”
“Right?” Gabe fist-bumped Jackson. “That could have ended so badly.”
I looked at him strangely. “A building blew up. Morgan and I got married amongst ash and smoke. It did end badly.”
Gabe frowned. “Really? I mean, you got married. If I had done that with Isa, I can guarantee it wouldn’t have turned out that well. Trust me, man. You’re fucking lucky.”
I sighed, then turned as I heard noises coming from the Jeep. The woman straddled Rob’s thighs and was practically dry-fucking him in the front seat.
“Looks like it turned out pretty well for him too,” Jackson grinned.
24
MAGGIE
I paced Sebastian’s office. I was so going to kick his ass when he got home, and that was entirely possible because I was about to have this kid now. I took a deep breath in and slowly blew it out. Another sharp pain cut across my pelvic area and it took everything in me not to scream in pain. By now, I was an old pro at this. Granted, I usually had Sinner beside me. Or Sebastian. Or any of the other guys. But this was fine. Kate was a doctor and would take perfect care of me.
“Maggie, I was thinking?—”
“No!” I snapped at Kate as she walked into the room. I already knew what she was going to say. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that she didn’t like the thought of me staying here when I was about to burst.