Page 23 of Kraken (Hades Abyss MC #4: Mississippi Chapter)

“If you want to find out before the lab can run it, get one of those home pregnancy kits. I’ll take enough blood to check a few other things as well.

No harm in double checking, but if she’s missed her period, there’s a good chance she’s pregnant.

I seriously doubt the two of you have been abstaining. ”

“Only when she was too hurt,” I admitted. I pulled my phone out and texted a Prospect to pick up a home pregnancy test.

I’m on gate duty and Titan assigned Sean to the clubhouse.

Fucking great. I’d forgotten for a moment we were still down to two Prospects after the shit went down the day Phoebe had been grabbed from the compound.

Last thing I wanted to do was run to get a damn pregnancy test when I was leaving tonight.

Bones narrowed his gaze at me. “Something wrong?”

I showed him the text from Riley and he grunted. Perfect. No fucking help. Bones motioned Phoebe over to sit, then he withdrew the items he needed to get a blood sample. While he did that, I paced the room, and sent off a text to Stone, hoping he’d run to the store for us.

Did you seriously just ask me to get a pregnancy test?

I grinned at Stone’s response. Yeah, asshole. I did. Phoebe might be pregnant and I want to know before I leave tonight.

I could imagine the cussing he was doing right now. But I knew he wouldn’t let me down.

Fine.

“Stone is dropping a test off in a bit,” I said.

Phoebe seemed paler than usual since the mention of a possible pregnancy. We’d talked about starting a family. I’d thought this was what she’d wanted. Had I been wrong? I wanted to be excited over the chance to have a baby with her, but if she didn’t want this…

“I’m done. I’ll get this to the lab and get back with you. Until then, take the home pregnancy test. If it’s positive, get some over-the-counter prenatal vitamins for now. I can call in the stronger stuff later,” Bones said.

He packed up and left. I sat next to Phoebe, reaching for her hand. She leaned against me, placing her head on my shoulder. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and tugged her closer.

“I know we talked about having another baby,” she said, “but with everything going on, I’m a little scared.”

“The people following you have backed off,” I said. “And my trip tonight will ensure no one comes after you again.”

“Until the club faces another threat. I knew what I was signing up for, Blake, but the thought of our kids being in danger scares the hell out of me. What if I’m out somewhere and someone takes me or our kids? Or all of us? I don’t want them to suffer the way I did.”

I ran my hand up and down her arm. “Baby girl, we can’t live our lives worrying about the monsters lurking in the shadows.

If we did, we’d never enjoy a single second of our time together.

Yes, there’s a chance you and Ember, or any other kids we have, could be in danger at some point.

Just know not only will I protect you, but so will this club. We will always come for you, Phoebe.”

“I know.” She sighed. “My mind is racing with a million worries.”

“You going to be okay with me gone tonight? Do you want me to ask someone to stay here overnight?”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to put anyone out, Blake. I’m just being silly and overly sensitive. Maybe Bones is right and I’m pregnant.”

I pressed a kiss to her temple. “If you are, I will be the happiest of men. And before you ask, it’s not going to make me love Ember any less. She’s mine, end of story. I’m the only dad she’s going to know. Doesn’t matter if she has my DNA or not.”

“How long before you have to leave?” she asked.

“Soon, baby. Just waiting on Stone to get here because I want to know before I leave if you’re pregnant or not.”

She nodded and cuddled closer. She didn’t fill the silence with idle chatter, and didn’t ask me to put on the TV. I breathed in her scent and found comfort in her presence. I knew she worried I wouldn’t come back, but there was no fucking way a preacher would put me in the ground.

There was a soft knock at the door and I knew it would be Stone. I got up to let him in, but he remained outside, merely handing me the plastic sack.

“There’s a shit ton of different ones. Didn’t know what she’d want so I got three one of the ladies at the store recommended.” Stone shrugged. “Never exactly shopped for one of those before.”

I clapped him on the shoulder in thanks, then shut the door.

Phoebe had been silent as she’d stood and came closer.

When I turned, she was right in front of me, her gaze fastened on the bag.

I gave it to her, then steered her down the hall to our bedroom and bathroom.

Leaning back against the counter, I folded my arms, intent on waiting.

She blinked at me like a little owl. “You’re not staying in here while I take these.”

“Yeah, baby girl. I am.”

“But… Blake…” Her cheeks went scarlet. “I have to… pee on them.”

I rolled my bottom lip into my mouth and bit down, not wanting to laugh.

She stared me down, and when she realized I wasn’t leaving, she heaved a sigh and dropped the sack on the counter.

Phoebe removed the three tests inside, read the instructions for each, then, with her gaze cast away from me, she dropped her pants and hovered over the toilet, taking all three tests.

“I’ve had my mouth on your pussy, share a bathroom with you, and you seriously thought you peeing on a stick would be revolting?” I asked.

“It’s embarrassing,” she muttered.

When she’d finished, she capped the little sticks and set them on the counter.

While she righted her clothes and washed her hands, I stared at the little innocuous-looking plastic sticks.

It was hard to believe something so small, so breakable, could tell me if I was about to be a dad again.

I hadn’t lied to her. Far as I was concerned, Ember was mine, but this time, I’d get to be there for all of her pregnancy and see our kid when they were born.

“It said three minutes,” she said.

I set a timer on my phone, then led her into the bedroom.

I made sure I had everything I needed for my impromptu trip while we waited.

Phoebe sat on the edge of the bed, eying my duffle like it was a poisonous viper.

She’d have to get used to me being gone overnight.

It didn’t happen all the damn time, but often enough.

Being a husband and father wouldn’t change my duties with the club.

The timer went off, and I took Phoebe’s hand, as we went to check the results.

A smile spread across my lips as I stared at each little stick. “Looks like we’re having another baby.”

She wrapped her arms around me and held on tight. “That means you have to be extra careful and make sure you come home to us. I can’t do this alone, Blake.”

I tipped up her chin and kissed her. “You can, but you won’t have to. I’ll be back sometime tomorrow.”

“You’re leaving now, aren’t you?”

I nodded. “Gotta go, baby girl. You call Titan if you need anything, understood?”

“I will.”

I kissed her one last time, grabbed my bag, and walked out before she could tempt me to stay.