Day in the Knight (The Leonidas Corporation #4)

Prologue

Soft easy listening music came from the recessed speakers Tony had installed when he’d built the house. She’d always thought they were excessive, but Tony had only listened to her input about the kitchen.

She transferred the beans and couscous to covered serving dishes, grabbed the salad from the fridge, and placed everything on the table, already set with the good china.

Her stomach fluttered and she placed her hand low on her abdomen.

Was it nerves about telling Tony or the little bean she’d learned about that morning?

She glanced at her watch and returned to the kitchen to slice the meat.

After transferring it to a serving platter, she placed it in front of Tony’s place setting.

All that was left to do was wait for him to come home.

Forty minutes later, the candles were dripping wax onto the crystal holders.

She checked to see if there were any text messages, despite the lack of notifications or previous messages.

His lack of communication had been happening more frequently over the past few months.

Was it really that hard to tell her he’d be a few minutes late?

Abby blinked and looked up, pressing her ring finger to the inner corner of her eye.

It didn’t mean anything. He’d been working to close a big account at work—he’d told her that.

The alarm panel beeped three times. “Garage door open.”

Abby stood and plastered a smile on her face.

“Hi,” she said when he entered the dining room.

“What’s all this?” He pulled at his tie to loosen it.

“Dinner. Beef tenderloin, green beans, and Israeli couscous.”

“I had dinner with a client.”

“Oh.” Would it have been so hard to send her a text?

He picked up a green bean and took a bite. “It’s cold anyway.” He threw the rest of the bean onto a plate.

“I had it ready for six, when you’re usually home.”

“I had to work. Someone has to pay for this house.”

A spark of anger flashed through her, and she tamped it down. She hadn’t asked for the house. It was too big. Too ostentatious. There were rooms she only went into to clean.

“It’s fine. I’ll pack it for your lunch tomorrow.”

“Don’t bother—I have a working lunch.”

Gritting her teeth, she took a deep breath. “I have something else for you.”

She picked up the long, thin box she’d set next to his place setting and held it out to him.

“Fuck.” He took the box. “Is it our anniversary?”

She blinked. “No. That’s in four months.”

“Then what’s this?”

“Open it.”

She held her breath as he lifted the lid. He didn’t speak for several heartbeats, just stared at the plastic stick with the digital display that read “Pregnant.”

He finally looked at her. “Is this a joke?”

Her stomach plummeted. “No. It’s real. I found out this morning.”

“Did you do this on purpose?”

She flinched at his harsh tone and shook her head. “No. I was on antibiotics a couple of months ago when I had a sinus infection. The doctor said they probably counteracted my birth control pills.”

Tony tossed the box and pregnancy test onto the table. “Let me know when you get rid of it.”

“What?” It came out as a breath. He didn’t say that.

He brushed past her. “You know how I feel about kids.”

She followed him. “I know, and I was fine with that. I didn’t mean to get pregnant, but you can’t expect me to get an abortion now that I am.”

He stopped abruptly inside their bedroom and turned. “I can and I do. I was very clear before we got married about being child-free. I told you if it was a deal breaker we’d end it. You said you were fine with it. So now, you decide—me or that.” He pointed at her stomach.

“Tony—”

“End of discussion.” He slammed the door closed.