Chapter 11 #2
“Well, we can’t find anything useful from your phone records or the text,” Detective Marks says. “What’s more, you’re telling me he has a baby on the way. He doesn’t sound like the most dependable person, Miss Marchand. It sounds to me like he got cold feet on fatherhood and bolted.”
“No, he wouldn’t do that,” I say. “No way. He can be flaky, sure, but he wouldn’t do this.”
“If something else happens, please get in touch.”
“Sure,” I say, not entirely certain what’s going on. I have Kingston on one side, doubting the baby is even Tommy’s, and Detective Marchand on the other, saying it’s Tommy’s and it scared Tommy away. For fuck’s sake, does everything have to be some kind of devious plot?
“Good luck, Miss Marchand.”
Wait, he’s ending the conversation? “Hold on?—”
But the phone call is over. He’s gone.
* * *
Ella
When I reach the medical building at two, Gianna’s sitting on a bench out front, waiting for me. She looks alarmed when she sees Squid and Cora following me.
“Do you know them?” she whispers.
“Long story, but yes,” I say. Turning to Squid and Cora, I say, “Can you two wait out here? There are probably rules about who can go in…”
“Let’s see if there’s a waiting area inside,” Cora says.
I nod. “Is that okay with you, Gianna?”
“Sure,” she says, looking puzzled. “Are you going to explain who they are, though?”
“Bodyguards.”
“Ah.” She bites her lip. “Um…why?”
“That’s the long story,” I say with a laugh. “Maybe I’ll tell you about it later, but we don’t want to be late for your appointment.”
“Okay,” she says with a smile. “Let’s go in.”
The appointment goes by quickly, with a nurse taking Gianna’s blood pressure, weighing her, and checking her temperature.
The obstetrician measures Gianna’s belly and does a pelvic exam.
She lets us listen to the heartbeat, and my eyes fill with tears.
That little baby is my brother’s and Gianna’s, and I’m going to get to be a part of their life.
“Everything sounds good,” the doctor says, smiling at Gianna. “Are you still working?”
“Yes—is that okay?”
“It is,” the doctor says, “but try not to overdo it. Take plenty of breaks. You wait tables, right?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. If you don’t need to stand, sit. You’re healthy and the baby’s healthy, and you’re perfectly capable of being on your feet, but again, if you feel tired, take a break.”
“All right, thanks,” Gianna says.
As Gianna and I leave the exam room and return to the waiting area where Squid and Cora are hanging out, I say to Gianna, “Thank you so much for letting me come to the appointment with you.”
“Of course.” She gives me a sad smile. “I really appreciate the support. I’m worried about Tom, and it’s just…this is kind of an overwhelming time.”
“I bet your family’s excited about the baby,” I say.
“Uh, no, unfortunately.” Gianna looks down.
“My cousin is happy for me, I guess, but my aunt wanted me to terminate the pregnancy. She says I don’t have enough money or enough of a support system for bringing a child into the world.
At the time, I disagreed, because Tom was a hundred percent excited and made all these promises. ”
My brother and his stupid-ass promises.
An unhappy support system, my brother unreachable…how is Gianna going to do this all on her own? Has anyone even celebrated this pregnancy and the baby?
“Hey,” I say. “Have you had a baby shower? Do you need things for the baby?”
“Oh, no,” she says, shaking her head. “I’ve been picking up items over the past few months. We should be set.”
I’m willing to bet she’s only been purchasing necessary items, not fun things. Taking her hand in mine, I say, “I want to throw you a baby shower. For you, and for my future niece or nephew. Will you let me?”
“You really want to do that?” she asks.
I nod.
“Well,” she says, “I don’t have many friends to invite, but even if it’s just us two, it would be fun. Sure, you can throw a shower for the baby. I’d really like that.”
* * *
Sebastian
There’s always an element of controlled chaos after a show. At least we don’t have the added confusion of being in a different venue—sticking to the same casino makes it easier to have a routine rather than folks wondering where to go afterward.
“Bash, are you coming with us for dinner?” Pat asks. “We’re grabbing showers to wash off the grime, then grabbing a bite.”
“No, thanks. I’ll get room service.”
“You sure, old man?” Landen asks from behind her.
The “old man” shit shouldn’t get to me. I honestly don’t care. Aging is better than the alternative, which is dying. But the way he phrased it with Ella in the picture, it just rubbed me the wrong fucking way.
Ella doesn’t think I’m too old for her, and she’s the one whose opinion matters. Not fucking Landen’s.
Ignoring Landen, I say to Pat, “Thanks for the invite. Maybe we could get lunch tomorrow.”
“That sounds great,” she says. “It’ll be good to have a last hurrah before we go back East.”
I wave at her, Landen, and Bret, then head up to my room. I have to dodge a couple of fans who somehow found their way onto my floor, but security is already escorting them away before they can become a problem.
Once I’m safely inside my suite, I lean against the closed door and sigh. Maybe I am too old for this. Not for music, but for massive shows like this, in big venues.
Or maybe it isn’t age, so much as just knowing what’s important now.
And right now, what’s important is my little princess.
Kingston called me earlier today to explain what’s going on with her brother’s girlfriend and the possible pregnancy, and I’ve been mildly concerned ever since.
I’m really fucking glad Kingston will be back in San Esteban tomorrow.
It’s midnight, but maybe she isn’t sleeping yet. I send her a quick text.
No response.
Sighing, I toss my phone on the sofa and grab the room service menu. I’m trying to decide what to order when my phone rings.
It’s Ella, and my heart immediately lifts. “Hey, princess,” I say.
“Daddy.” She sighs. “I miss you.”
“I miss you, too. I’ll be home in just a couple of days. Were you sleeping?”
“Not yet, just climbing into bed.”
I wish I was there. “How’s everything over there? How’s the demon cat?”
“He’s good. I think he misses you.”
“That’s a fucking lie,” I say with a laugh.
She laughs, too, and it sounds like music. When she quiets, I can hear fabric rustling.
“You were literally getting into bed when I called, weren’t you?” I ask.
“Yeah. That’s where I am now.”
Need begins to move through me, potent and electrifying. My dick starts to harden. “Are the lights already off?”
“Uh huh.”
Too bad, I’d do a video call with her otherwise. Well, I can work with this. “What are you wearing, Ella?”
“Um, just a tank top and some undies.”
“What color?”
“Blue.”
Her favorite color. She’s never actually told me this, but it’s obvious from what she wears.
“Lift up that tank top,” I say. “Bare your breasts for me.”
“But you’re not here.” She sounds like she’s pouting.
I bite back a chuckle. “Are you arguing with me, little girl?”
“Maybe. But it’s true. I can’t bare them for you. You’re not here to see my naked tits, thrusting up with their hardened nipples, while I wish you were here to suck on them for me.”
“You are being a brat,” I say.
“My daddies aren’t here. It’s natural for me to act out. It’s not like anyone’s going to spank me.”
“You think I can’t punish you long distance?”
“Umm…” The bravado is completely gone.
I smile. “I think I need to teach you a lesson. I’m calling King.”
“Wait, what?”