Page 25 of The First Cut

I cross my arms over my chest. “She cares about the baby. That much was obvious, and it’s not an act.” I think about the way she held her stomach and the look in her eyes when she saw his image on the screen. “I don’t think there’s much she wouldn’t do to protect him.”

“Like stab us all in the back,” Havoc growls.

“Not sure, given her current state, she feels any loyalty to anyone in Raven Souls, but I’m with Hannibal. I don’t think she’d put her baby in danger if she could help it,” Nevaeh says.

Havoc huffs. “She’s in danger just being with Driller.”

“And would he let her go if she ran?” she asks.

He doesn’t have an answer for that. But when he looks at me, I can see the question in his eyes. Jesus, am I going to do this? I picture her delicate hands on her bump and curse.

I really am insane.

“Fuck. Fine, I accept.”

“Accept what?” Nevaeh looks between us.

I ignore her, focusing on Havoc. “I’ll do it. But I’ll take her back with me and make her my old lady. Call it fucking spoils of war for all I care, but I might need her in the long run if I can’t get shit sorted out with Millie.”

He crosses his arms over his chest and stares at me.

“She’ll be protected with me from any of the club members.”

He doesn’t say anything. He watches me, waiting for more. Damned if I know what, though. I let out a breath and throw my hands up in frustration.

“I won’t hurt her either. Happy?”

“Ecstatic.”

“She can stay with me until this is over. I’ll make sure she doesn’t say shit.”

“I’ll let you break the news then.”

Watching them leave, I crack my neck and think about what to say. I push the door open and catch her staring at the image of her son on the ultrasound monitor. I take her in while she’s distracted. She’s slight, and even though she’s heavily pregnant, you can’t tell from behind.

I remember hearing that she used to be a cheerleader. It fits her, especially now, with the blonde hair and big blue eyes that give her a doll-like look. I’ve seen her before dressed like a biker babe, but dressed down in jeans, a sweatshirt, and a ball cap, she looks like she should still be in high school and far away from a psycho like me.

She turns and jumps when she sees me standing there watching her. “I didn’t realize you were back.”

When I don’t say anything, she starts fidgeting.

“I need to go now, before anyone notices I’m missing. Thank you for checking on Nugget.”

“Nugget?”

Her hand moves to her stomach. “The first time I saw him on the screen, the nurse told me he was the size of a chicken nugget. It kinda stuck.”

I walk toward her and watch her freeze, but she doesn’t back away.

“There’s been a change of plans.”

“Um...okay. What plan?”

“The one where you go back to Driller.”

“I don’t understand,” she says, frowning slightly.

I close the distance between us. “It’s simple. Driller’s not your man anymore. I am.”