Chapter Fifteen
One Month Later
Dinah didn’t need a pregnancy test or to see the doctor. The tight pants and bra were a clear indication of the fact she was pregnant, and so far she’d been able to hide it. She didn’t even know why she was hiding it, but things between her and Road were going well. Better than well. They were fantastic.
She knew she didn’t hate him. How could she hate a man who had been nothing but kind to her, who was her best friend, and who spent every waking moment trying to make her happy?
Her equipment had been set up outside in one of the many sheds the Evil Fallen Bratva MC had created. Not only had everything been set up, the roof had been fixed, and the guys had worked together to make it into her own personal salon, which she loved. Several of the club women had gone to her to get their hair done. Brute had even allowed her to order products, and to make this salon her own.
It wasn’t perfect, but at the same time, it was everything she had ever wanted. There was no back biting, not from other hairdressers, and she got to see one woman at a time. She was able to work in peace and quiet. Sometimes she also got to have some girl talk, which she loved.
Faith was her first customer, and then the women of the club, followed by a few of the men. The men were a new experience, but they wanted their hair looking good. She did do male haircuts back at her old salon, but they were very few and far between. This time, the whole club wanted them, and that was a lot of haircuts. She also felt like the men had a little respect for her. Each one had asked how she attacked Sergey. She truly did believe it helped them to like her, and every man had offered their protection.
They also liked to gossip. She had a feeling they gossiped way more than the women. She did have to wonder if she’d be able to offer her services to the public, as it wouldn’t be long before she’d have to wait to cut other people’s hair.
There was a knock at the door, and she laughed, telling whoever it was to come in.
She turned to see Road entering her little salon. Faith had insisted on her putting up a sign, calling it Dinah’s Salon. It seemed silly, but Faith had also promised to talk to Brute about allowing more people to visit. Dinah wasn’t hopeful but she did find it sweet that her friend wanted to take care of her.
“Hey,” Dinah said.
“Hey.”
“How are you?” she asked.
She knew he had to go out and run some errands for the club the past couple of nights, so she had not seen him. Dinah kept to her room, taking her meals alone. She didn’t feel it was her right to spend time with the club. Tank was the only one who seemed determined to spend lunch with her, and was always there, carrying two trays of food. She did like hanging out with him.
He talked about everything and nothing, and she got the feeling he needed to be around her at this moment. She must provide him a distraction from everything going on in his life.
“I’m good, you?”
She chuckled. “Yeah, I’m good. Today was a slow day, but Faith said she was going to talk to Brute about possibly letting me advertise in the local paper or something. Maybe do some bookings.”
“He’ll let it happen,” he said.
“You think he will?”
“If Faith is asking him, you’ll get what you want.”
She chuckled. “You think he will cave that quickly to his wife?”
“Faith is his wife, and she holds his emotions in the palm of her hand. Trust me, we all rely on Faith to keep Brute happy, otherwise, he takes the word ‘bastard’ to a whole new level.”
“Thanks for the warning,” Dinah said.
“Anytime.”
She looked at him and she had this odd feeling that she just wanted to go up to him and hug him, but she held herself back.
“Uh, so, would you like a haircut?” she asked. “They’re kind of free for all club members.”
He ran fingers through his hair. “You’re sure?”
“Yeah, sit down. I’m shocked I haven’t offered before now. Your hair looks like a mop. Come on.” She patted her seat, and Road stepped toward her.
At first, they just looked at one another, and then he averted his gaze and took a seat.
Dinah had been able to keep her distance, and with her thickening waistline, it had been more important not to allow people to get too close, but now that felt silly.
“Do you have any style?” she asked.
“I’ll let you do your worst.”
She smiled and got him to move the chair toward the sink along with the tap that was controlled by a pump. The guys had thought of everything. Lathering up her hands, she worked the shampoo into Road’s hair and started to clean him up. Once the shampoo was on, she got started with the conditioner.
Playing with his hair brought back so many memories of their time together. She couldn’t help but think about the time he tickled her, and it had turned into him kissing her. That memory ended with them in the hospital for Faith. All the times she watched him cook for her, offering her glasses of wine, trying to make her day easier.
That was the Road she had fallen in love with.
She finished rinsing his hair, and Dinah looked down at him, expecting his eyes to be closed, but Road was staring right up at her. In that moment, she knew what she was doing was wrong.
“I’m pregnant,” she said, and then took a step back.
Road frowned and Dinah took another step back.
“You’re pregnant?”
“I didn’t plan it, I swear. I … I don’t know what to do. None of this makes any sense to me. I want to hate you and at times I think it will be easier to hate you, but I miss you. That is so damn crazy. You’re the guy that strangled me when you first met me. You were convinced I was someone I wasn’t. Then I find out you organized my mother’s attack, and I want to hate you. I should hate you, but I don’t. I don’t hate you, I don’t want to be away from you. I can’t stop thinking about our time together. You love romance movies. You enjoy hanging out and talking, drinking wine or beer, and cooking. You’re vulnerable and dangerous at the same time. You drive me crazy and then you tell me you love me, and you make this life that should feel like a trap and a cage and like I’m some kind of prisoner, but it’s not.” She pointed toward the door of the shed. “I should hate every single person out there because they helped put my mother’s attacker in the position he is, but I don’t. I like them. They’re becoming friends, and Faith, she is his damn granddaughter, and I adore her. She is so sweet, and I’m pregnant. I haven’t taken a test, but I know, trust me, I know.” She lifted her shirt to show off her increasing bump. “I’m pregnant, there is no getting away from it, and I don’t know what to do.”
She felt the panic start to rise within her, and she pressed a hand to her chest. Dinah had never had a panic attack, not even after her mother passed, or when Sergey was in her home, or even Nikki.
She closed her eyes, and then she felt Road’s arms around her.
“I’ve got you, baby. You don’t have to panic. I’ve got you and I’m not letting you go. I’m not.”
She took a deep breath, and much to her surprise, she began to calm down. This shouldn’t be happening. Road’s scent flooded her senses and she felt the calm start to envelop her. This is what she needed more than anything.
At first, she didn’t hold him back.
She had spent so many nights of her life trying to figure out how to tell this man she was carrying his child. Blurting it out over a hair wash was not one of her suggestions. She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her face against his neck.
“I’ve got you.”
He kept saying those words, and Dinah truly believed them.
“I love you, Road,” she said.
****
Road stared at Dinah through the mirror as she got to work cutting his hair. She’d finished washing it, and she’d already blow-dried it, and now it was time for the cut. He’d gotten to hold her for several minutes. He didn’t know exactly how long, but long enough to hear Dinah tell him she loved him.
“What do you want to do?” Road asked.
Dinah paused and looked at him in the mirror. “What do you mean?”
“I know this is your decision, it is your body, and I will respect your wishes. It’s not my place to ask.”
“Road, don’t be vague, please, just ask me what you want,” she said.
“I don’t want you to get rid of the baby.”
She sighed. “Seriously, after everything, you think it might even be an option for me?”
“It’s your body. Primarily, it is going to be your decision.” Road stared right back at her, willing her to understand how he felt.
“I don’t want to get rid of this baby, Road. I really don’t. I’m scared. I didn’t expect this to happen.”
Road got to his feet and spun around so he wasn’t staring at her through a mirror, but looking her in the eye. “I want to take care of you, Dinah. I want to love you. I want to be with you and the baby. I know I fucked up big time, and I promise you, I will never do anything like that again. I will go out of my way to make your life as easy as it can be.”
“I love you,” Dinah said, and he saw the tears filling her eyes. “I love you and I’m scared.”
“Don’t be.” He couldn’t help but feel relieved. “I love you, Dinah. I fucking worship you. I will not fuck up like this again.”
“I know you can’t take back what happened, but I’ve been so miserable these past few months. You’re the only person I’ve wanted to come and talk to. I don’t want to hate you anymore.”
“Marry me,” he said.
Dinah laughed. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am. I know what I want and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Marry me. I love you, Dinah, and one day, I might be able to earn your forgiveness for the mess I made—”
“Stop,” she said. “I know what you did, but we can’t keep moving forward by thinking you’re the same person you were back then. I’ve seen what Sergey is like, and I know you must have thought something bad had happened. I’m not trying to excuse you, I don’t think it’s worth us trying to find some path that makes it acceptable. You didn’t do it. You were following orders, and you had no reason to doubt Sergey at the time. I know my mom, and it’s crazy to even think it, but I believe she would have wanted me to forgive you.”
Road felt the tears coming to his eyes. He didn’t know what it was about this woman, but the words she said and the feelings she evoked had turned him into a man. She’d made him see that everything he’d been before was a total lie.
“Marry me, and I’m not saying that because you’re pregnant, or I’m not just saying that because you are pregnant. Ugh, that didn’t make any sense, but I’m asking you because I love you. I love you more than anything in the world. You’re everything to me, and I vow to you, I will never hurt you. I will never give you a reason to doubt my love, and you and this baby will be so loved.”
“See,” Dinah said. “How can I hate you when you make me feel this way?” And with that, she cupped his cheeks and pulled him in close.
Road wasn’t sure who kissed who, but having his woman in his arms was a dream come true.
“I love you,” he said.
She chuckled. “I love you too.” She pulled back just a little. “We’re going to be parents.”
“I know, shit, how are you feeling?” he asked.
He reached down to touch her stomach and then pulled back. “May I?” he asked.
She laughed.
“Of course.” Dinah captured his wrist and drew it closer toward her, until she finally rested it on her stomach.
He felt the slight swelling of her stomach. Road had already noticed the fullness of her tits, but he hadn’t wanted to say anything, and figured it was the clothes she wore that enhanced her glorious tits. He wanted to touch them, cup them, feel them. Instead, he slid his hands around her waist, going to her ass and pulling her in close.
Sergey Golubev had nearly taken everything away from him for a second time. He was never going to allow that son of a bitch to know a moment’s rest.
He’d made an enemy out of him the moment he turned his back on him, but now he was determined to be his nightmare. For the sake of his woman and his child. Dinah wanted to put their past behind them, but he knew he had a long way to go before he truly made amends. In the back of his mind, he knew there was no way he’d be able to make up for his part in what was done to Angela Evans. However, if there was indeed a Heaven or Hell, he sent a message up to her that he would take care of her daughter where he’d failed her. He would never fail his woman, his wife, his love, ever again.