Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Parker
I was sitting at the table, on my laptop, eating a slice of pizza, when I heard the front door open. Glancing at the clock, it was nine thirty p.m.
“Hello.” I smiled when Paige stepped into the kitchen. Pizza?”
“Hi.” She smiled, reaching up into the cabinet and taking down a plate.
Walking over to the table, she kissed me before sitting down.
“You’re late tonight,” I said. “Were you able to find out anything?”
“Excuse me?” Her brow raised. “Have you forgotten to whom you’re speaking?”
A bright smile crossed my lips.
“I was at ADA Benton’s house.”
“WHAT?!” I exclaimed. “Paige, I—”
“Relax, Parker. It’s done. He’s dirty. I have proof. Angela is changing her testimony. The mafia may kill Benton before I get to them. But I can’t help that.”
“The mafia?” My brows furrowed.
“He’s under the control of the DeLuca Family. They’ve been paying him to tamper with witnesses under the promise that they’d make him the next district attorney.”
“And you have actual proof of that?” I asked.
“I do.” She grinned. “All wrapped up in a pretty little package. If the mafia doesn’t get to him first, I’m going to destroy him. Not only will he lose his license forever, but he’ll go to prison, where all those criminals he put behind bars will have fun with him.”
“Have I told you how much I love you?” I grinned.
“Every day.” She smiled. “I’m going to take a shower.”
“Okay. I’ll be up in a few.” I winked.
I wrapped up what I was doing, closed my laptop, and headed upstairs. When I stepped into the bedroom, Paige walked out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel.
“Don’t you look sexy as sin.” I smiled, walking over and gripping her hips.
Something was wrong. I could see it written all over her face.
“Paige? Are you okay?”
“We need to talk, Parker.”
My chest tightened. Her tone worried me.
“Okay.”
“Go sit on the bed. I’ll be right there.” She turned and went back into the bathroom.
I sat on the edge of the bed as thousands of scenarios ran through my head. Was she leaving? Was she done? I swallowed hard at the thought.
She returned from the bathroom, sat next to me, and handed me a white stick with two pink lines. I stared at it, my brain unable to process what I was looking at for a brief moment.
“Paige.” I stared at her.
“I’m pregnant, Parker. That morning, when you thought I had the flu. It wasn’t.”
“How long have you known?” I reached over and grabbed her hand.
“A few days. I wanted to tell you that night, but you were so upset about your case and the ADA. How do you feel about it?”
“I’m still trying to process.” I smiled. “And you?”
“Same,” she sighed. “A baby was never in my plans. It isn’t who I am.”
“Paige.”
“Just listen, Parker.” She stood from the bed.
“My life has always been about control, surviving, and not needing anything or anyone. Then I met you and everything changed. You told me to trust a little each day. And then a little more. You changed me. You broke through when I never thought it was possible. You accepted me for who I am. For the first time since Hearthstone made me their little experiment, I’m scared.
I thrive in dangerous situations. I’ve killed powerful people.
I’ve walked into war zones without hesitation.
But this? I don’t know the first thing about raising a kid, and it terrifies me. ”
“Come here.” I held my arms out, and she climbed on my lap. “I don’t either, but I’m happy, sweetheart.”
“You never told me you wanted kids,” she said.
“To be honest, I never really gave it a thought.” I ran the back of my hand down her cheek.
“But knowing you’re carrying my child, a child we created out of love, changes everything.
It’s what we did together.” I smiled. “We don’t have to figure everything out right now.
We’ll take it one day at a time and figure it out as we go along, like every other first-time parent. ”
“You’re right. And I couldn’t ask for a better man to be my child's father. I love you, Parker. When I never thought love was a possibility for me, you showed me it was safe. I want you to know that I’m all in. As terrifying as it is, I’m all in.”
“I love you so much, Paige.” I pulled her into me and held her head against my chest. “We’re having a baby.”
She lifted her head and smiled. “Yeah. We’re having a baby.”