Chapter 14
Chapter
Fourteen
SKULL
This changes everything.
“When were you rescued?” I need a timeline and all the details she can give me to piece this puzzle together.
“About six weeks before I came here.” I do the math quickly and nod.
“You found out during the medical workup?” She nods and refuses to look at me.
I won’t push anymore tonight.
“Let’s get you to bed.” I stand and offer her my hand.
“Ok, thank you for dinner.” She must think I’m leaving.
“Hen, I’m not going anywhere. The baby changes nothing.” Now she looks up at me.
“What?” This poor woman has no idea what I’d do for her, but she will.
“I’ve claimed you, Ivy. Let me explain what that means.” I crouch down in front of her and take her hands in mine.
“In the eyes of my club, you are my old lady now. It’s a bond stronger than marriage.
Any children you have will be mine, including the one you’re carrying.
The club will always protect and care for you, no matter what happens between us.
Do you understand?” She shakes her head, but I know it’s in protest.
“No changing it now. You’re stuck with us.” I smile and lean in to kiss her, but I stop.
Men have been taking from her all her life. I won’t be one of them.
“I really wanna kiss your tears away. May I?” She lets her sob break free with a nod, and I let my lips touch her lightly first.
“You still want me?” Her question guts me.
“Why wouldn’t I?” I clean her face with my fingers.
“But, I’m carrying someone else’s child.
He’s a monster and will never stop searching for me.
But I couldn’t get rid of the baby. It’s not his fault.
He didn’t ask for this.” She clutches her stomach as if protecting the tiny little thing growing inside her, and I know right there and then that this amazing woman will be the best fucking mother.
“The bairn will grow up loved and need never know anything about how he was conceived. You have my word.” I kiss her again, but this time, I lean into it.
She clings to me as if I’m the air she needs to survive, and my medical brain kicks in. All the symptoms of pregnancy were there if I had been paying attention with my big head.
“Second trimester, you must be feeling awful needy. Has the morning sickness passed? Are you taking vitamins?” She starts to giggle at me, and I promise myself right here and now to never let her be sad again.
“No morning sickness or appetite, really. I struggle to eat. Needy? If you mean horny, it’s insane. I never thought that would be possible, but then I saw you that day during the fire drill, and, well…” I smile and nod to urge her on.
“I can’t keep my vibrator charged long enough to satisfy me.” Her cheeks turn red, and I grin.
“Had I known,” I growl as I scoop her up and march us into her bedroom.
“Get under the covers, Hen. You need to rest. We’re going to my clinic tomorrow. I want to check on the bairn.” Her eyes widen.
“NO, we can’t!” Her reaction makes me step back.
“There’s more you aren’t telling me?” She sighs.
“You need to purge, Lass. I need full disclosure if I’m to protect you both, ye ken?” I can call Abel or Glitch but I’d rather it come from her.
“I can’t be seen.” My eyes narrow.
“Why? Because of Ivan?” She pulls the covers up slightly and then looks from her hands to my eyes.
“Ivan was arrested, and until his trial, I have to stay hidden.” This time, I sit down and grab my head.
“You’re in Witness Protection.” It’s a statement, not a question.
She doesn’t answer, and I don’t need her to confirm it, but this does complicate shit. I blow out my breath and turn to see her watching me closely.
“You can wear a full-face helmet. No one will know it’s you.” Her eyes scrunch up in confusion.
“I can’t ride your motorcycle, pregnant.” I laugh at her but lay down suddenly feeling bone deep tired.
“Of course you can. Women do it every day. But if you feel safer in a car, I’ll buy one.” I pull her closer to me and move her hair out of the way so I can spoon her.
“This is moving too fast. You can’t tell me we’re biker married, and you’re buying a car just cause I’m pregnant.” I chuckle and snuggle in closer.
“Sure I can.” I kiss her shoulder.
“I DON’T EVEN KNOW YOUR FULL NAME!” Her screech gives me pause.
I can’t have her upset. It’s not good for her, and until I have a full workup done on her and the bairn, I can’t risk raising her blood pressure.
“Earl Weston Milton Blair III,” I whisper the words, hating my titled name even more now that Hamish is in town trying to force it down my throat.
“Wait, are you royalty?” She turns to face me, and I can’t hide my expression quickly enough.
“Just a little,” I shrug and try not to laugh when she slaps my shoulder.
“I’m serious! I’ve watched Bridgerton. This is a big deal.” I roll my eyes.
“Hen, I’m just me. I’m Skull to my brothers, Milly to my family, and yours completely if you’ll both have me.” I cup her cheek and rub my thumb along her bottom lip.
“I don’t understand how we got here.” I smile and roll her over so I can spoon her again.
I let my right hand drift down to her belly and hold it softly while I trail my lips across her shoulder.
“Life is full of wonders, and most can never be defined, but true love is a story no one needs explained. It just happens if you let it. All I ask is that you let me share it with you.” She doesn’t say anything for a few minutes, and I start to think she’s fallen asleep when her voice breaks the silence.
“Life or love?” Her question seems so silly to me, but after all, she’s survived, I understand.
“Both, Hen. I wouldn’t want one without the other.” She relaxes in my arms, and I feel her lips kiss my arm.
“Ok.”