Chapter 30- Sam
I hadn’t expected to cry in the doctor’s office.
But there I was—grown, tattooed, built like a man who’d spent years in the gym—wiping my face with the hem of my T-shirt while the ultrasound tech pointed at the blurry image on the screen like it was something miraculous.
“She’s measuring perfectly,” the tech said. “Nice strong heartbeat.”
Her voice sounded distant, muffled beneath the rush of blood in my ears.
Everything was blurry. The room, the sound, the weight of Zane’s hand in mine.
I hadn’t even realized I was crying until Zane turned to me, her lips forming the words, You okay?
I nodded, swallowing hard. “Yeah,” I whispered. “I’m good.”
But the truth was, good didn’t come close. I was stunned. I’d helped make a child. We had. Me and her. On some romantic type shit. I didn’t feel like I deserved it.
After the appointment, we walked out hand in hand, her belly starting to show.
“Janet signed the papers,” I said as we waited at the crosswalk.
Zane raised an eyebrow. “For real?” “Yeah. Guess she finally believed I was serious. Especially after the hundred grand I dropped into her account.” She laughed.
“That’s all? I thought she’d hold out for more.
” I smirked. “She thought it was half my money.” Her mouth fell open.
“She seriously thought that was half? With how much you work?” “Yep,” I said, chuckling.
“Didn’t even question it. Didn’t ask for lawyers.
That and the house was enough.” I didn’t even have to mention the camera in the house or what the private investigator found.
Zane leaned into me, resting her head on my shoulder. “I still can’t believe you gave her the house. That’s a nice house.” “Didn’t want it,” I said simply. “Too many memories I’m not carrying forward.” She nodded, quiet. I glanced down. “You good?” “Yeah,” she said. “I think so.”
But she didn’t sound sure. I knew she was probably thinking about Mark not signing his papers. I was going to give it a few more weeks before I knocked on his door.
I let it be, though—opened the car door for her and helped her inside. We were headed somewhere I knew would lift her mood: the house.
Her house. Or at least, the one she’d always described to me.
A wraparound porch, blue shutters, a kitchen big enough for a long table and too many chairs.
She’d mentioned it once, not even thinking I was paying attention.
But I’d written it all down after she fell asleep that night, then found a place that matched it exactly.
“Where are we going?” I kept my eyes on the road. “To view the property you wanted.”
The house sat forty minutes outside Clearwater.
It was old but solid, recently renovated, full of possibility.
Just like her. “You really think we can get it?” she asked as we pulled into the gravel driveway.
“Already made the offer,” I said. “We just need to walk through it one more time, make sure you love it.”
Out of my peripheral, I saw her watching me.
She stared at me like she didn’t know what to do with the way I loved her.
And that shit made my soul feel funny as fuck.
I knew it was my soul because that feeling didn’t sit in my chest or my gut—it settled deeper, like something ancient and quiet had been sparked inside me.
I parked the car and killed the engine in the driveway of what would become our home together, but neither of us moved right away.
The house stood in front of us, bathed in late afternoon light.
Zane’s fingers tightened around mine just slightly, like she was afraid if she let go, this might all disappear.
“We are really doing this?” she asked softly—not a question.
“You sound scared. You don’t want this?” My heart kicked up a beat.
She looked at the house again, then back at me—eyes wide, full of everything I didn’t have words for.
Then suddenly she was nodding, fast, like she couldn’t say it quick enough.
“Yes,” she said. “Yes, I want this house. Yes, I want you. Yes to all of it. Don’t say stupid fucking stuff. ”
I smiled at that last part because I seemed to be rubbing off on her.
Zane eight months ago would’ve never talked like she was.
Before I could point it out, she leaned over the console and kissed me.
Hard.. Like she needed me to feel everything she couldn’t say out loud.
Her hands slid to the back of my head, her lips moved against mine with so much emotion it damn near knocked the breath out of me.
I almost cried again. I kissed her deeper instead.
Let my soul talk to hers for a while before pulling back.
She stared at me, eyes all glazed like she wanted to pull me back into her.
“If you don’t stop looking at me, I will fuck you in broad daylight in this car.
” My voice was so deep it sounded almost like I was growling.
I didn’t give her time to answer. I adjusted my dick—it was so hard it almost ached—got out of the car and made my way to the passenger side.
I helped her out of the car and up to the house.
I held the door open, letting her explore.
Her fingers traced the walls, her bare feet padding across the new wood floors.
In the nursery, she paused, touching her belly as if she could already see it—our life here.
“We could grow old in this place,” she said softly.
I stepped behind her. “That’s the plan.”
By the time we left, she was smiling too big.
We stopped for dinner at a quiet little spot nearby—nothing fancy, just good food and soft music.
She ordered salmon and lemonade. I got a steak but barely finished it because I was too busy watching her face every time she laughed.
That was enough for me. She slid the dessert menu toward me.
“You want something sweet?” “Already got you.” She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. “Corny.” “Maybe. But true.”
We paid and stood to leave, her hand slipping into mine like it belonged there. Because it did.
We were halfway out the door, stepping into the cool night air, when a voice cut through the quiet. “Zane?”
She froze. I turned just in time to see Mark standing near the curb, holding the hand of a woman who looked like she’d stepped out of a magazine—long blond hair, pretty face, clearly confused. But Mark wasn’t looking at her. His eyes were locked on Zane. Then they flicked to me.
And just like that, all the anger he’d probably been holding back for the past six months erupted. “Motherfucker,” he growled, and before I could react, he was striding toward us—chest out, fists clenched, face twisted with rage.
I moved in front of Zane because I’d be damned if he touched her. “Nah,” I said, holding up a hand. “Not here.” But he didn’t stop.
His girl was yelling something, but he wasn’t listening.
I braced myself, adrenaline surging. I wasn’t about to let him near her.
Not now. Not ever. Without turning, I said her name.
“Get in the car, baby.” “No,” she said, her voice shaking.
“Get in the fucking car, Zane,” I barked, then lowered my voice. “Trust me.”
Mark was too close for her to walk away though. “Six months,” he spat. “More than six fucking months, and this is where I find you? Knocked up? With him?”
Zane didn’t answer. Just stared at him like he wasn’t worth the breath it would take to respond. Good girl. He kept going despite her silence. “You ruined my marriage,” he hissed at me. Then gave his attention back to Zane“You think this is gonna last? You think he loves you? He’s using you, Zane.”
“You don’t know shit about me,” I finally said. “But you’re about to learn if you don’t go back to your fucking date, bitch-ass.”
His hand twitched like he might swing. I almost hoped he would. I was ready.
Then Zane’s voice cut through the tension. “Mark, if you touch him, I swear to God, I’ll have my lawyer ask for half of everything you got. I’ve got months of pictures of you fucking his wife and several women from your firm to make sure I get it. Leave me the fuck alone.”
His mouth moved like he might say something. I focused on the fear in his eyes. She wasn’t afraid of him anymore. And that terrified him.
She stepped up beside me. “I’m not your wife anymore, Mark. And I’m not coming back. So take your little girlfriend and go the fuck away from me.”
Mark looked like he’d swallowed glass. He said nothing. Just stood there, breathing hard, before finally turning and storming off down the sidewalk—his girl scrambling after him in her heels.
I exhaled, realizing only then that I’d been holding my breath. Zane looked up at me. “I’m shaking,” she whispered. I pulled her close. “It’s over.” “No, it’s not. He’s going to cause trouble.” “I know. But he won’t touch you.”
She was everything to me. And after tonight, I knew one thing for certain and two things for sure— She was going to be protected.
Even if it meant putting Mark in the ground myself.