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HALLIE

A fter four more tests, I can officially say I’m pregnant.

And now I need to rip the band-aid off and actually speak to Conan.

After everything, I deserve this—at least to close the door on that part of my life for good.

My Shelby roars to life as I back out of the driveway.

I need a drive first to clear my head. Then I’ll head to his garage.

I’m nervous. But I’m also still angry. And pissed off at myself for being cruel to him.

The one thing Conan has proved in these weeks is that he is remorseful. And he cares. Probably more than he should.

As I merge onto the highway, I put my foot down and open the windows, letting the breeze whip through my hair.

It’s quiet out here for this time of night.

A little glimmer of light is starting to appear in my life.

A baby is a huge deal. I’ve always wanted to be a mom. A real one. Not like mine.

I want to give my baby everything.

As I switch lanes, I glance in the rearview mirror. The black BMW behind me follows.

I keep going, slowing down near the next exit. I don’t indicate—I just shoot off.

But when I check the mirror again, the BMW is still right behind me.

Something gnaws at me. Or maybe I’m just anxious and overthinking—today’s been a lot.

I pull up the GPS on the screen. Fifteen minutes until Conan.

I ease onto the brakes to slow myself down, but instead of overtaking, the car slows too.

I don’t like this.

It’s probably nothing. But I need to hear his voice before I have a meltdown.

I hit his number on the screen. As always, he answers fast.

“Hallie.”

His voice is low, steady. My safe place.

“Conan. Umm…”

I take a left when the GPS tells me to. No blinker. My heart sinks when the BMW sticks to my tail.

“Hallie, what is it? Talk to me.”

“I think someone’s following me, Con.”

I push my foot to the floor, my car rocketing ahead.

“Where are you?” His voice doesn’t waver.

“I’m eleven minutes from your garage. Just turning right onto…”

I glance down, reciting the street name.

“I’m on my way to you. Just stay calm and keep driving towards me. You got that, baby?”

I suck in a ragged breath.

“Y-yes.”

“Wait. Please stay on the phone. I need to hear your voice.”

“I’m never leaving you, trouble.”

A calmness washes over me.

He’s got me.

He always did.

“I’m just starting my engine. I won’t be long.”

I swallow the bile rising in my throat.

“They still behind you, darlin’?”

I check. Grit my teeth.

“Yep.”

“Keep driving calmly. Don’t let them think you know.”

“Got it.”

“I’ve texted my men. They’re coming from Decadence as backup.”

A shiver rakes down my spine at the mention of that place.

“Do you own the chocolate?” I ask, needing anything to distract myself.

“Yes. We do. You like it?”

“I did. Loved it even.” My voice is flat.

“You never know…one day you might love it again.”

This isn’t about chocolate.

“You really didn’t know it was me?”

He doesn’t even pause.

“No. There’s no way in hell I’d have put you through that. I swear on my life—on everything and everyone I’ve ever loved—I didn’t check the applications. I didn’t care. Because all I cared about was you.”

Tears sting behind my eyes.

“S-sorry. This is probably a bad time.”

“A little. But I promise, I’m done with that now. I’d already told my brothers it was my last year before The Chase even started. That is my past, Hallie. I swear.”

I turn right. The BMW doesn’t follow.

“Conan, they didn’t take my turn.”

“Good. But keep driving, okay? If they were tracking you, this could be to throw you off.”

My pulse hammers.

“What’s going on? How are you so calm?”

I’m right on the verge of a panic attack.

“Ben was part of a much bigger organization. One I made enemies with in Ireland years ago. And let’s just say I’ve been burning the city down to make a point.”

“Because he entered me?”

“Yes.”

This mafia world is insane.

“Will you ever be completely safe?” I ask. My hand slides to my stomach, like instinct.

“No one on this planet is ever completely safe. But at least we’re prepared. That’s how I look at it. And trust me, I’d fucking die to protect you, trouble. Without even a second thought.”

My breathing gets heavy. I shake my head.

“I don’t want you to die. I don’t want?—”

“Shh. It’s okay. What’s your GPS saying?”

“Four minutes.”

“You coming up to the junction?”

I nod, slowing as the red lights appear.

“I’m just ahead. Keep driving forward. Go straight to the garage. I’ll deal with whoever was tailing you.”

“You’ll be safe?”

“Always. We gotta talk, right? And I gotta get my girl back.”

My heart skips.

His girl.