Page 39 of Fatal Thrill

“And why someone is after you,” Jon said, rubbing a thumb over her palm. “I think there are two parties after that cross. One kidnapped Finn in order to get their hands on the cross and those emeralds, and the other is hoping to flush your dad out by threatening yourlife.”

Jaya squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. This just kept getting better and better. And of all times, her stomachgrowled.

Still holding the mug and Jon’s hand, she stood. “Shelby, could you excuse us for a moment?” She tugged Jon toward the door. “I need a bit of thatsoup.”

And some alone time with her…what was Jon exactly, besides the father of thebaby?

Since finally blurting out she was pregnant, she’d realized part of her fear was simply not knowing for sure where they stood. Yes, he’d told her he would support her no matter what, but were they a couple? Was he her boyfriend? Was marriage in their future? All questions that had become very important toher.

Jon helped her down the stone steps and guided her to the kitchen. It wasn’t much to look at, but she’d lived in worse. She picked at a piece of peeling paint near the sink. “How…quaint.”

He snorted. “Is that what you callit?”

A little facelift was all it needed. “Are we safehere?”

“We are. I’m waiting on a call from Beatrice and then we’ll figure out our nextmove.”

“Thank goodness forBeatrice.”

“Around here, she’s apparently known asMorrigan.”

“Ah, the GreatQueen.”

“Queen?”

“The Celtic goddess of war. My dad used to tell me stories about her. She supposedly had the power to influence the outcome of any battle and liked to shapeshift into a crow. Every time Dad saw a crow, he claimed she was hanging out with him, giving him aid. My mother’s family had stories about the crow as well and its mystical attributes like insight and prophecy. It’s significant to my family on both sides. Our family name, Hotti, meanswind feathers on an arrow. Wind Catcher in otherwords.”

“That’s beautiful. Just likeyou.”

She wanted to simply dissolve into him. “I’mpregnant.”

“So Iheard.”

Their combined chuckles lifted her spirits. “You’re not running away, so I take it, you’rein.”

“Of course Iam.”

She’d known it already, felt it in her heart, but it was good to hear him say it again, and she shifted toward him. “I had all theseplans.”

He rubbed her back but didn’t mention any of his own. “You don’t have to give up your dreams. I’ll help you with the business. With the baby, your mom, all ofit.”

“What about your life in DC? Yourjob?”

“I’ll find a job in Oklahoma. I’m sure Beatrice can help. Maybe Colton and Shelby too.” He pulled back slightly to look into her eyes. “Did you tell Beatrice, by the way? Before you toldme?”

“About the pregnancy? Of course not. I would never dothat.”

“Sheknows.”

Jaya shook her head and smiled. “I wasn’t exactly subtle when I was at Rock Star headquarters, and shedidjust have a baby. I’m pretty surprised Shelby didn’t figure it out, but then she’s never been pregnant and she’s distracted with thecase.”

“Beatrice is psychic. She knows absolutely everything before wedo.”

“Maybe she really is theMorrigan.”

Another round of soft laughter passed between them. “Maybe she is,” Jonagreed.

Jaya laid a hand on her belly and looked down. “Girl orboy?”