CHAPTER TEN
Seraphina
The loud beeping jolts me awake, instantly telling me I’m in the hospital. I frown and look around the dark room; immediately touching my hand to my stomach as I am reminded of what happened and why I ended up here.
Someone set fire to my home.
With my daughter and me inside. And I knew exactly who that someone was.
Angelo has found us.
A whimper escapes past my lips, and I lean my thumb on the call button for the nurse. Tears I couldn’t stop, cascade down my cheeks. Within minutes, a nurse arrives,
“Willow, my little girl.” I demand, my throat too sore to speak.
“I’ll get the doctor for you,” she promises before leaving the room.
“She’s fine, Everleigh’s with her. You kept her safe.?” a soft voice says, and I gasp aloud when Zoe comes into view.
“Thank you. And please tell Everleigh thanks as well. I-I didn’t s-see you there,” I stammer. Nerves suddenly jangling in my belly.
“Obviously,” my friend replies dryly, sitting down in the chair placed next to the bed. “What happened, Sera?” she demands of me. “What kind of trouble are you in?”
“What do you mean?” I narrow my gaze at her, unable to stop the cough from assailing my body. She gets to her feet and shoves a straw into my mouth
“Drink!” She orders, and I gratefully take a few pulls of the straw. Putting the cup down, she sits in the chair by the bed. “Don’t lie to me. I heard the guys talking. They’re saying the fire was deliberately lit.”
Zoe gives me an expectant look, waiting for me to say something. Just as I open my mouth to speak, the nurse returns with the doctor in tow . Saved by the bell.
What would I have said, anyway? Oh, my sociopath of a step brother has been obsessed with me for years, and now he wants to murder me?.
“Good to see you awake, Ms. Bianchi,” the older doctor says kindly, and I can’t help but smile back. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay,” I answer vaguely. Apart from the smoke inhalation and worrying about my child, I feel fine. I want to ask about my baby, but not while Zoe’s standing there.
“You’ve suffered severe smoke inhalation, but that seems to be subsiding. I believe the baby’s fine. But we’ll have more of a definitive answer once we get an ultrasound done,” he explains. I keep my eyes on the doctor, unable to look at my friend, I didn’t want to see the look of betrayal I knew would be on her face.
“We’ll know more soon. Also, you have a few people out in the waiting room wanting to see you.” He smiles again and walks out.
“You’re pregnant?” Zoe demands.
I shrug. “It seems so. What happened?”
Zoe sighs deeply, realizing she wouldn’t be getting any answers from me. “Your house caught on fire. Ky saved you.”
I frown. “Ky?” So, it wasn’t a dream. He was there in front of me before I fainted.
“Yes. He apparently broke down your door with no concern for himself and got you out. He even rode with you in the ambulance.”
“My house? My house is gone?” I whisper, willing myself not to cry. Zoe lays down beside me and wraps her arms around me.
“Don’t cry. At least you and Willow are safe. We’ll figure the rest out.” She croons. I fall asleep sniffling.
The next time I wake up, Ink is sitting beside my bed. I squash down the disappointment I feel at it not being Ky there instead.
“Hey,” I greet, my voice still gravelly and my throat sore.
“Hey,” he replies. “You’ve got yourself in a right mess, haven’t you?” Taking my hand in his. I so wish I felt something whenever he touches me. The zing I feel only whenever Ky was nearby. Happens for no other man.
He doesn’t have to touch me for me to feel it.
With everything that has happened, I can’t help the tears that track down my cheeks.
“What’s the matter, beautiful? You know you can tell me anything,” he asks, drawing circles with his thumb against my wrist. I know it’s not meant to be sexual, just something he’s gotten used to doing to soothe my jangled nerves. I desperately try to stop the tears welling in my eyes when he uses that endearment.
The need to leave is great. But this time, packing up and disappearing will be harder than all the other times.
“I’m pregnant!” I blurt out without thinking, and I could kick myself for it.
A deep sadness comes over his beautiful blue eyes, and I wonder if he feels for me more than he was letting on.
“I see. Aren’t you happy about it?”
I’m unable to stop the humorless laugh from escaping. “Zoe knows, she was there when the doctor came to see me.”
His eyes widen in surprise. “That must’ve been awkward to explain,” Is all he says. “I’m guessing it’s Ky’s?”
“Well, I haven’t slept with anyone else in this town.” I spat. Angry that he would question me in that way. “I’m so sorry for dumping you into my drama.” I apologize.
But he raises his hand, stopping the words from leaving my mouth.
“Don’t do that. You know we’re friends, and I’ve grown fond of you these last few months.”
“Me too.” I concur. “So, what are you suggesting?”
He looks at me and smiles. “If you need me to play daddy, then that’s what I’m gonna do,”
he declares, and I stare back at him in stunned silence.
“But what about Lily?” I ask when I’m able to speak again. I know Ky’s half-sister has a crush on Ink—the feelings are reciprocated, but he wasn’t about to ruin his position in the club for the girl, who just so happened to be Kick’s daughter. He’s fought hard to rise in the club, not coming by the position of Sargeant-At-Arms lightly.
He shrugs, and for a beat I can see indecision in his ice-blue eyes. “There’s nothing between me and Lily, you know that…” he begins.
“But I know you want there to be.” I prod. All the nights we stayed up late, talking about our non-existent love lives. I’ve learned a lot about the man.
“She’s the Prez’s daughter. There’s never gonna be anything between us,” he reiterates, and I stop arguing the point.
“Well, if you’re sure you’re prepared to claim your brother’s child as your own? How are you going to handle the rumors?” Was I really considering doing this? For so long, I wanted to tell Ky about Willow being his, but the right time never came. And now his ex is back in his life with a child they share. I won’t be the one to break up that family.
“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. What about you? Are you sure you want to do this?” Ink asks. “Though it might just be the kick up the ass, Ky needs to get his head outta his ass, where you’re concerned.”
“Yeah, I doubt that very much. I will not be responsible for taking him away from his own child,” I say quickly.
“That’s if the kid really is his?” Ink mumbles almost to himself, even though I’d heard him clearly.
“Wait. What?” I demand. Was there a doubt? My heart went out to Ky and the little boy, and for his sake, I hope they were father and son.
“Forget I said anything,” Ink speaks, quickly changing the subject. “Since you don’t have anywhere to live, once you’re given the okay to leave the hospital, I hope you’re okay with staying at the clubhouse? Or we can look for a place to live together once you feel up to it,”
I force a smile, his enthusiasm almost rubbing off on me. But my feet are still firmly planted in reality. The idea of living at the clubhouse, where I’d have to see Ky every day, was unbearable to me; I’d have chosen anywhere else if I could. But I know I’ve thrown all of this into his lap, and I can see he’s trying.
Doubts surface, and I’m wondering if I’m doing the right thing by dragging Ink into my issues. But if I back out now, it will only make things worse. I’ve made my bed. I guess I have to lie in it. Maintaining a cool expression, I pray Ink doesn't notice my true feelings.
I feign tiredness, and soon after, Ink gets to his feet and announces he’s heading out. Relief washes over me, and I hate feeling this way. But I need some time alone to get myself under control. He’s a great guy, and I love him dearly for wanting to help me. But I just don’t know if I’m doing the right thing anymore.
Maybe I should tell Ky the truth and let the chips fall where they may? But then I think of the little boy who arrived with his mother, Ky’s ex, all those months ago. I wasn’t prepared to tear the child away from his father. I wouldn’t do it.
But before Ink can make his getaway, the doctor returns, telling us I was doing much better and was being released once the sonogram was complete.
Guilt washes over me that Ink is here instead of the baby’s real father. But that’s something I need to get over if we’re going to pull this off. When the sonogram was complete, the tension in my shoulders finally eased, replaced by a rush of joy knowing the baby was safe. The doctor's smile was warm and reassuring as he told me everything was progressing well. The sense of relief was almost overwhelming, and when I was discharged, I found myself smiling for the first time since the fire.