Chapter 37 #3
Rochan sighed before lacing her fingers together over her desk.
“There are rumors of impropriety. And given the sensitivity of the situation, I wanted to squash them in the bud before the gossip reaches ears that will require an investigation.” Shit.
“Given the severe nature of the claims,” Rochan continued, “there is something we need to address. But first, know this, I’m not inclined to return a soon-to-be mother to prison, nor fire one of my agents unless warranted.
Nor am I inclined to pursue a full-blown investigation and cause undue hardship on you, Delilah, in your state, and what you’ve survived, but… ”
The word hung in the air as we waited for the other shoe to drop.
“…I did want to address the subject of the father.”
And there it was. I wished I was sitting. Or white knuckling the wingback chair like Jack.
I’d been hoping Rochan’s perceived knowledge of Jack’s infertility would have been enough to keep the targets off our back, or raise the question of parentage. But that hope fizzled out as the agents and I schooled our reactions into impassive masks of calm.
Todd shifted closer to my side, but Jack didn’t so much as blink.
Rochan was sharp. She no doubt noticed the subtle shifts in the room, her gaze flickering over the dynamic at play.
“If we have a name, it may keep the hounds at bay. It might not stop an escalation or investigation if pushed… but I wanted you to know what you’ll be walking into, and hopefully give us all a chance to get ahead of it. ”
What the hell was I supposed to say after a claim like that? No, Rochan, I have no idea what rumors you are talking about, Jack and I definitely didn’t sleep together—that would be an instant declaration of guilt.
“I can ask Delilah in private if this isn’t common knowledge, but everyone in this room will know one way or another.” Rochan drummed her fingers on her desk. “So. The father. Do we have a name, or shall I do some digging of my own?”
Names flashed across my mind. The people I’d been in contact with. The people I could convince to pretend to take on the role and commit to lying to the FBI. It was a short list. A list only made shorter when I considered inherited traits and appearance.
A one-night stand with a nameless stranger was starting to sound like the best option when Todd raised his hand.
“Yes, Galt?”
I was still stewing over options, while Jack nodded to Todd in acknowledgement he was prepared to translate.
Todd turned to me, looked me straight in the fucking eye, as he signed, “I’m the father.”
My senses must have been playing tricks on me because what the actual, fuck?
Rochan blinked. “I’m sure that’s an incorrect interpretation—Galt?”
“Todd,” I warned, my voice shaking, legs trembling.
“The child is mine,” he reconfirmed before snaking his arm around my shoulders to steady me. I had no idea what he was doing, and neither, it seemed, did Jack, who still continued to translate Todd’s words to Rochan.
“You can’t be serious.” The assistant director’s voice echoed from far away. My attention focused solely on Todd who, to erase all doubt, splayed a warm hand over my belly, my bump.
Heat flickered up towards my throat, blood pounded in my ears as I remained still, the feel of his hand laying claim to the swell of my stomach.
“Hess, were you aware?” Oh, Rochan was livid.
Todd ignored this, his focus on me, like I was his whole world, as he rubbed a tender thumb back and forth, back and forth, in a gesture so comforting I wanted nothing more than to curl into his chest and stay there for the foreseeable future.
“No, ma’am.”
There was an exasperated sigh from the phone before Rochan ordered, “Hess, James—out. I need a word with Galt. Alone.”
“Ma’am, if you allow me,” Jack offered. “I can help translate.”
“Galt has two fully functioning ears. And this will only require him to listen. So, everyone, but Galt out. Am I heard?”
I wasn’t going to leave Todd, not when he’d just taken the fall. I was going to correct him, I’d make sure Rochan knew he wasn’t at fault. “Ma’am, I—"
Every half-formed explanation evaporated as Todd let go of my belly, pulling me close. A half-smile on his lips, he raised a hand to cup my chin. Turning my face towards him, he lowered his mouth.
Oh my god, Todd was going to—
His breath was a fan of warmth and cedar, pressing a gentle peck to my cheek. My world tilted on its axis, revolving around his lips on my skin. The butterflies in my stomach matched the pounding in my ears, both hammering a renewed riotous rhythm.
What the hell was happening?
“Go.” Todd pulled back with a grin, a dimple forming in his left cheek. “I’ll be fine.”
He smoothed a line over my brow, before leaving to collect an enraged Rochan off the mantle, ushering Jack and I out of the room.
My back pressed against the hallway wall next to Jack, I slipped to the floor as I tried reconcile what had just happened with the emotions cloying my heart.
Above it all, I just hoped that whatever plan Todd concocted kept him out of the firing line, because I was fairly certain he had just kept me out of prison.