Page 117 of Rum & Coke

I smiled, and it felt as though it was the first time in three long ass months. “Yeah, I would love that.” Autumn handed me the baby boy, and I looked down, watching him sleep as I held him.

“You know I saw Tessa at the doctor’s, right?” Autumn asked.

Why would she bring this up? Of course I knew, but it was a sensitive subject. She had to know that.

“Yeah, I heard,” I replied.

“I know we don’t know if she is pregnant, but if she is, I’m hoping it’s yours.”

“What makes you think she’s pregnant?”

“Because you usually don’t go to the doctor’s for your first appointment until after eight weeks. And she’s been gone about that long, right?”

“Yeah, but maybe she was there for something else?”

“Like what? Birth control?” she questioned.

I wasn’t sure if that thought was better or worse than the thought of her being pregnant with the asshole’s baby. “Can we not talk about this?” I asked instead of answering her.

“Yeah, sorry. I just want you to know I’m here for her when she’s out of that place. My ex-husband forced sex from me …”

I nodded, already knowing that because Gabe and Paul had gone toe to toe with that asshole. He ended up dead, and Gabe and Paul were questioned by the police. Over drinks, they told the guys what had happened, and when they decided to start their self-defense business, it all made sense.

“Maybe I should have gotten you to show her some moves instead of using a gun,” I stated.

“We don’t know the circumstances,” Gabe reminded me. “She might not have even had a chance to do anything. Given what you’ve said, and how I saw Tessa with you, she isn’t there on her own.”

“I know.” I sighed. I had to keep believing it because that was the only thing that made sense still.

“Joss is working on it,” Gabe assured. “Shit will go down, and you’ll get your girl back.”

“I’m sick of hearing that,” I muttered, looking down at the baby in my arms. “Not the getting my girl back part, but Joss keeps telling me she’s working on it and I don’t believe her because nothing has happened.”

“She opened an investigation, Vin. She can’t tell you details because of that fact. It goes way deeper than just a friend checking on another friend,” Gabe countered.

“Butyouknow. Why is it that you know?”

“I know because Paul talks while at the range.”

“So you know what’s going on?”

He shook his head. “No, but like I said, it’s an investigation. It only makes sense she can’t tell you.”

“Everything will work out,” Autumn said, reaching up to cup my fingers that were holding her baby’s head.

I looked down at Liam. If Tessa were pregnant, and if it were mine, I’d be over the fucking moon. Kids were never in my plan, but my plan changed when I met Tessa, and I was slowly realizing it. Spending time with Colton, and now this little guy, made me realize that no matter what happened, I wanted it all with Tessa. I didn’t need the baby to be mine. I’d raise it as if it were my own. What I needed was Tessa and Colt back in my life, and then everything else would work itself out.

“Yeah, let’s hope so,” I replied.

“Lookie what we brought,” Paul cooed as he and the gang walked back into the room. He was holding cigars.

“You can’t smoke that in here,” Autumn protested.

“It’s chocolate, Auttie. Smoking will kill you, don’t you know that?”

She rolled her eyes, and I looked over at Joss. She gave me a tight smile, and I wanted to ask her what was happening with the alleged case, but now that Gabe confirmed there was an investigation, I realized I needed to let my nagging rest.

“Want to hold him?” I asked Joss.