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G abrielle stiffened at his words. She turned her head toward her window. “You fathered this child,” she admitted. “I never planned to keep the baby from you.”

“You’re six months along. When did you plan on telling me?” he asked, confused.

“It’s not as if you’d believe me anyway. Let’s pick up the meds. I’m tired and I want to get a few things for the hotel.”

“Damn it, Gabrielle. I only found out yesterday and by complete surprise might I add.” When she didn’t respond, he started the truck and returned to the pharmacy.

When he parked, Gabrielle opened the door. “I need to use the bathroom,” she explained quietly as she slid from the seat. Knight tried to help her, but she brushed him away and avoided his gaze.

He let out a frustrated sigh as he escorted her to the restroom and went to the pharmacy for her meds. Gabrielle used the bathroom and washed her hand. The blood coated the towel, and she added a few paper towels to the wound, hoping to soak it up until she settled into a hotel. When she stepped out, Knight paced back and forth as she ignored him and entered the first aid aisle. Picking up a bottle of acetaminophen, Gabby searched for bandages.

“Don’t purchase them. We’re going somewhere else.” Knight placed the bandages on the shelf. He walked to the register and she swiped her card, unwilling to allow him to pay.

“Where?” she asked as he coaxed her from the store.

Knight opened the bottle, handing her two pills before pulling out of the parking lot. He warily glanced at Gabby. “I’m taking you to Bryanna’s.”

Gabby adamantly shook her head. “No. Bryanna hasn’t returned a single call from me,” she refused.

“Listen before you get upset. Bryanna invited you,” he informed her, keeping his eyes on the road.

“Humph,” Gabby said, trying to cross her arms, but her shoulder hurt, and her arm became increasingly uncomfortable. Tears sprang in her eyes as she recalled how she and Bryanna became such close friends. When she needed her the most, Bryanna refused to answer calls.

“Hey, she misses you. Did you know she’s expecting, too? She and Saint marriedandhave a little girl they call Nugget. Cutest little doll you’ve ever laid eyes on. She has Saint wrapped around her finger,” he babbled.

When she didn’t respond, his brow creased in concern. A rapidly approaching car caught his attention. “Hang on, Gabby,” he warned her as the car rammed into the back of his truck.

Gabby tried to turn to see what hit them as Knight evaded the car. Making a sharp left and a quick right, on the streets, he pulled into a parking lot and shut the truck off.

“Why did you stop?” Gabby cried.

“Because they know my vehicle.” He took out his phone and dialed Saint.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Got a tail. I’m in a parking garage with Gabby. I need Doc and another ride,” he reported.

“Pin me the location and hang tight. We’ll be there soon,” Saint disconnected the call.

“We need to go. Please Marcus, it’s all my fault. You aren’t involved in this. Let me go and they’ll leave you alone,” she panicked. Struggling to remove her seatbelt, Gabby tried to leave the truck.

Knight cupped her face. His dark green eyes held hers. “Listen to me. Nothing will happen to you, this baby, or me. Saint will come.”

Gabby scanned the parking lot. “What if they show up? Promise me you’ll leave. I can’t keep up. I’ll only hinder you.”

“Breathe, Gabby,” he whispered. “Remember the baby. You’re not supposed to stress out,” he reminded her. Unbuckling her seatbelt, he moved her closer, while he scanned the parking lot.

He pulled her to his side and her head lay on his shoulder. She closed her eyes, trying to calm down for the baby’s sake. She inhaled his scent and listened as his steady heartbeat calmed her.

Twenty minutes later, his phone rang. “Knight,” he answered.

She heard Saint’s voice come over the phone. “We’re a mile away. We’re coming with three trucks. One will stay on the street. Two will enter the garage. We’ll cover Gabby first. Grab whatever she needs and enter the second truck.”

“Got it.”

He tugged his coat over her. “When they arrive, they’ll help you out. It’s Saint, Bryanna’s new husband, and his security team. Don’t worry.”

Gabby nodded.

Ten minutes later, two black vehicles entered the garage and pulled in sideways by Knight’s truck. Her door flew open, and two large men covered her. Saint helped her get out of the vehicle. He picked her up and deposited her in the back of the second truck. Knight slid in beside her as the vehicles raced down the streets and into another parking garage. A few minutes later, they led them to an elevator.

One of the men pushed a button and they moved upward to the roof. Knight touched her back and she stepped forward, avoiding his hand. When the doors opened, they stood on the roof. Gabby’s mouth dropped as the men pushed her toward a helicopter.

“Is this safe?” she cried.

“Yes, ma’am. You got the cushiest ride in town,” Saint answered.

Knight helped her inside and onto a cot.

“You must be Gabrielle. Like all the other Serenity women, you already started trouble. I’m Patch or Ryder if you prefer. I take it this asshole knocked ya up?”

Knight growled as Gabby giggled.

“Let’s take care of this hand. What happened?” Patch asked as they lifted into the air.

Gabby gasped and gripped the side of the cot.

Knight moved to her side. “Easy Gabby. It’s a short ride. He placed his hand on her leg. Her fearful gaze met his. At seeing his calm demeanor among the large men, she slightly nodded.

Patch worked on her hand and she hissed.

Knight gave a low growl while Patch glanced at Gabby. “Sorry, there’s a sliver embedded under the skin. I’m trying to remove it. Then, I can stitch it up. Can you call the mutt off?”

“I’m fine. It stings a bit,” Gabby assured Knight.

“I’ll numb it in a sec. I want to ensure I got all the slivers. How the hell did this happen?” Patch moved her palm closer, making her cringe as the pain radiated up her shoulder.

Knight shoved Patch, making the corpsman shoot him a piercing glance. “Take it easy, man. I’m trying to help her.”

“It’s all right, Marcus. He didn’t know.” She turned to Patch. “My shoulder’s sore from the accident,” she explained.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Let me know how far you can extend it without pain. Have you elevated your other arm? Your fingers appear swollen,” Patch asked as he slowly moved her hand.

“We didn’t have—” Gabby’s face appeared panicked as she desperately fought the nausea. In a flash, Patch pulled out a vomit bag as she emptied her stomach.

“Gabby,” Knight exclaimed as she slumped over the bag and winced. “What the hell. What did you do to her?” he growled at the corpsman.

Patch glanced at Saint.

“She’s pregnant. It happens sometimes,” Saint explained to Knight.

When Gabby finished, Patch handed her a small cup of water. “Here, sweetheart. Rinse your mouth.”

The helo touched down and the men filed out. Knight helped her from the cot. They walked to another elevator and the leader pressed a button for a lower floor.

“Why don’t we use one of the bunk rooms? Then you can rest while I fix you up,” Patch offered.

She walked down the hall with him, and he motioned her to lay down on the bed. Letting out a shuddering sigh, Gabby laid back. Knight moved to the desk area as Patch pulled out a syringe and pressed it near the wound before stitching it up.

A knock on the door caught her attention as a redhead walked in.

“Hello, Gabrielle. I’m Kassie Winters. My husband works with the team and asked me to come over and give you a break from these brutes.” She smiled warmly.

“Hello.”

When Patch finished, he nodded to Kassie. She turned to Knight. “May I have a few minutes alone with her, please? I want to examine her.”

“I’m staying,” he insisted.

“No. I’m fine,” Gabby insisted.

Knight grunted and unhappily left the room.

Kassie pulled out a BP cuff and a stethoscope. “I’m a NP. Bryanna asked me to check on you. She thought you might feel more comfortable with a woman. It sounds like you’ve had a few hectic days.”

“Where’s Bryanna?” Gabby asked as she breathed normally while Kassie listened to her breathing.

“She’s setting up the guest room for you.” Kassie put the BP cuff on her and frowned.

“It’s high. I know it’s easier said than done, but we need you to stay relaxed for the baby’s sake. We operate a hospital on the mountain. I can admit you or I can send you to Bryanna’s and we’ll monitor your BP from there if you promise to rest and stay calm. Whoever followed you won’t search for you here,” Kassie assured her.

“I’ll stay at Bryanna’s.” Gabby yawned as Kassie propped her arm on a pillow and covered her with a blanket.

“I’ll check on you in an hour, and once I’m sure your BP will go down as you calm, then I’ll send you on your way. Rest up. Patch said you felt nauseous on the helo ride. Because of the flight or something else?”

“I suffer morning sickness all day, lucky me.” She chuckled. “It hits around the same time. The doctor sent in a prescription for it and I filled it before the accident. I forgot to ask for a refill when I left the hospital,” Gabby said as she stifled another yawn.

“No worries. We’ll fill it here. Do you feel sick now?” Kassie asked.

She shook her head. “No. I’m only tired.”

Kassie patted her leg. “I imagine you are. Rest for a bit and I’ll check in on you in a while. We’ll fill your prescriptions and send them with you to Bryanna’s. Catherine plans to check on you this evening and Annabelle will come during the night. Then I’ll stop by in the morning.”

“Thank you,” Gabrielle whispered as she closed her eyes and let sleep take her.

Knight walked into the kitchen where the other men sat. Saint appeared pissed and Patch nearly sneered in his direction. Leo frowned as he nodded for him to sit. Doc walked in and poured a cup of coffee.

“You know we dropped everything to help your ass and you have a funny way of showing your appreciation,” Leo scoffed.

“Your corpsman yanked my wife’s arm. Her shoulder’s hurt,” Knight defended himself.

“You do understand, you requested medical help and backup. None of these described her condition, and my corpsman only stitched her hand. I’m sure she didn’t leave the hospital with a bloody wound. I can only assume she received that on your watch,” Leo threw back.

Knight hung his head. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Patch. I’m afraid my adrenaline rose between the car hitting us and the last two days.”

Patch grunted.

Saint leaned onto the table. “What happened to Gabby and why does she have people trying to hurt her?”

Knight shook his head. “I don’t know. We didn’t discuss it. She’s not supposed to get stressed. I drove her home to find her living in a shitty neighborhood, her apartment tossed, and then a car hit us from behind and chased us.”

“When did she get hurt?” Leo questioned.

Knight rubbed along his jaw. “Back at the apartment. She thought I was angry with her and scooted back on some glass.”

“Imagine that,” Patch commented as he shook his headdisgustedly.

Saint stood. “Knight, may I have a word?”

He nodded and followed Saint to an office down the hall.

“These people are my teammates and brothers. I went out on a limb for you because you’re Bryanna’s brother. I gotta tell you, you’re making a helluva impression,” Saint said angrily.

Knight sat deflated. “I’m sorry, man. I feel like a jackass. Gabby never mentioned her pregnancy. She moved here, and someone’s trying to murder her. She’s a waitress. What the hell did she possibly do to make someone come after her?”

“She’s your soon-to-be ex-wife. For someone who counted down the days to his divorce, you became awfully quick-tempered when Patch accidentally hurt her,” Saint pointed out.

Knight shrugged. “She says the baby’s mine. If she’s telling the truth, Gabrielle will be the mother of my child. I hold a duty to protect her.”

Saint regarded him before speaking. “Your sister and I made our share of mistakes and went through some misunderstandings initially. According to Bryanna, you spun up more than usual. A friend of Matthew’s says you didn’t stay with your team. You shipped out separately from them. Which tells us you worked on a special assignment. We’ve seen a fair share of those ourselves. It can wreak havoc in a marriage. Between secrets you can’t talk about, missing important dates, and the length of your separation, these take a toll on a rock-solid marriage. Did you ever consider Gabrielle’s point of view?”

No, because I didn’t do the job I signed up for. “I provided Gabby with everything she needed, a beautiful home, a nice car, and access to money. She didn’t want for anything.”

Saint rubbed the back of his neck and let out a shrill whistle. “The Serenity women will have a field day with you, including your sister.” He clapped his hand to Knight’s shoulder. “Buddy, you’ve got a lot to learn about women.”

He scowled. “It doesn’t matter. Gabby cheated on me. After everything, she did the one thing I’d never let slide. I’m not the one in the wrong here.”

Saint leaned back against the desk. “It takes two in a marriage. Sometimes people make mistakes. Did you talk to her about it? Maybe ask her why. I’m aware of the damage your father caused. Believe me, Bryanna suffered because of his choices in life, even if he played no real part in hers. It makes me wonder if you might carry a few hang-ups. Gabrielle will be welcome in our home because you asked for a favor from your sister, and she has a soft spot for you. Maybe this will give you a second chance to salvage your marriage before it’s too late. I suggest you go home and decide how to proceed. I’ll care for Gabby.”

“I want to make sure she’s all right. She doesn’t know you,” he argued.

“Our friend Kassie will ensure she’s comfortable and already requested nursing care for her at our home. No one will get to her there,” Saint reassured him. “It’s best if you go home and sort your shit out.”

Knight stood. Leaving Gabrielle in the hands of another felt wrong. Yet, in a few months, he planned to divorce her. He could forgive her for anything except infidelity.

“Yeah. Can I get a ride back to my vehicle?” he asked.

“It’s best if you leave it there. We’ll have it towed to a garage and put it inside. Leo said you could take one of our cars. I suggest you not piss him off.” Saint moved toward the door.

“Hey. Will you tell her I’ll come by in the morning to check on her?” Knight asked. “She mentioned a few things. I need to find out what she’s hiding. Gabby’s supposed to stay calm and I don’t want to question her tonight. She’s been through enough.”

“I agree.” Saint nodded.

“Thank you. I know it doesn’t appear like it, but I appreciate it.” Knight extended his hand.

Saint shook it. “Figure your shit out.”

He opened the door and Knight followed him into the kitchen. When he approached the team, he swiped his hand down his face.

“I’m heading out. Thanks for dropping everything. I appreciate you helping.”

The men nodded, yet Knight felt the judgment radiate offthem. Unease filled him as he walked to the exit. He glanced down the hall where Gabrielle rested. He struggled between leaving or barging inside the room and comforting her after the day from hell. In the end, he left. After all, what could he possibly offer her that he hadn’t given her already? She crushed his heart beyond repair and he refused to give her another chance.