Capital Risk (25 page)

My signature blotted across the page.

With a single swipe of the pen, the Bennett Corporation now owned every patent, every note, every bit of research I ever conducted on my genetically modified crops.

Dad would have been inconsolably enraged. But even at his worst, he wasn’t like Darius Bennett. He never raised a hand to me. Nicholas, Max, and Reed bore the scars of their father, some more apparent than others. In that regard, I was the lucky one.

I traced the thin, white mark over Nicholas’s bicep. I didn’t realize he was awake. He shifted only to gather me to his chest, hold me close, and distract me from the injuries that dotted his skin.

“If this happens…” He whispered more to himself than to me. “If you get pregnant—”

“I won’t.”

“If it happens, and you have my son…”

Not an heir. Not a child. His son. His voice caressed me in protective secret.

“I won’t treat him how my father treated me. I promise you. I would be kind.”

“Would you love him?”

He held me tighter. “With every beat of my heart.”

Greater mistakes than mine had been made before.

At least, I thought so.

But this wouldn’t be a mistake. I felt it. I knew it. The new Bennett Corporation wasn’t the same evil empire that challenged my father and ruined lives. Nicholas assumed control, as he had been bred to do, as he was raised to do.

And Darius’s resignation was coming at the end of the month.

For the moment, for the peaceful days that lured us into a strange and foreign equilibrium between anxiety and relief, everything threatened to turn out…okay.

That was more unsettling than any kidnapping, any captivity, any abuse.

I emerged from Nicholas’s office. Hamlet loyally followed at my side, eager to take his place of choice back in my lap, his head propped on the more prominent bulge in my belly. Not quite big, but I couldn’t hide anymore.

So I no longer hid him.

The dress was designed specifically maternity, made to highlight my natural femininity or something. I picked it because it was a pretty lilac polka dot that worked well with black leggings and a pair of cute boots. It was time to play the part. The well-wishing, gossip, and social storm of my pregnancy spread through every contact, customer, and vendor servicing Atwood Industries.

Darius’s revelation caused problems. My reluctance to reveal the father caused more.

Social scandal meant more to me when Dad was alive—when everything I did and said was intended to honor the family and heighten my brothers’ statuses. But I didn’t have Josiah and Mike to worry about anymore. I had me. Mom. Bumper.

And I was doing a damn fine job leading my family and company.

“Now that’s just a sexy little dress.” Reed dropped the video game controller. He called me over with a curled finger. “Goddamn, Sarah. How are you feeling?”

His new code word for if I needed any hormones soothed in a wide ride on the couch. I flicked his forehead.

“Doctor’s appointment in a bit. I should behave.”

“What, not like you’re gonna get more knocked up.” He glanced over my shoulder at Max. “That can’t happen, right?”

Not like Max would answer. He hardly looked at me, never touched me, refused to speak to me beyond the simplest of questions or comments. Whatever guilt poisoned him pitted him in a darkness I could no longer reach. He stayed to protect me, to manage the bodyguards and security we organized, but he wasn’t my Max anymore.

And I had no idea what I did to lose him.

Or how to get him back.

“She’s at maximum capacity,” he said.

Reed’s devilish grin lured the dimple from our secrets. “Not yet. Want to get adventurous again, Sarah?”

“I feel like I have too many Bennetts in me already.”

“You can fit a couple more.”

“You’re wicked.”

His eyes, bright green and full of mischief, lingered over the neck line of my dress and fell to the swell of the baby.

“And you’re so fucking tempting.”

I glanced to Max for his declarations. He stared at his phone and entertained only his drink.

Quiet.

Sullen.

As always.

I pretended it didn’t hurt.

Nicholas returned as promised, insisting I wait so he could join me at the doctor’s appointment. His gaze brightened over me. I earned his smile.

It was a rare sight made more common in the past few weeks.

“You look…”

I shrugged. “Pregnant?”

“Lovely.” He motioned to the door. “I apologize for running late. The transition is more difficult than we anticipated.”

I handed him my contract, though I didn’t release the papers from my grip, even as he met my gaze. “Anthony looked over the agreement for my research. Everything is set. I’ve signed.”

Reed whistled. “Momentous fucking occasion. Who would have thought we’d have an Atwood research division in the company?”

“Not my father,” I said.

Nicholas agreed. “Or mine.”

“This is the right call,” I said. “Atwood Industries doesn’t have the resources or manpower to begin a research and development division. You’re actually helping me.”

“We’re helping each other,” he said. “
President
Atwood.”

Oh, that was a thrill. Especially as we had a new plan. Once Bumper was born, I’d take the remainder of my classes and earn my degree, all the while overseeing my labs in a directional capacity. Then, once I secured my doctorate, I’d lead the brilliant minds overseeing my research.

Dream come true.

I released the contract, and Nicholas tucked it into his jacket pocket. One discussion down. I broached the next subject carefully.

“I received an email today,” I said. “They found Bryant Maddox’s body.”

I anticipated my step-brothers’ reaction, though only Reed flinched when I mentioned his name. Max’s expression remained as dark as ever. Nicholas arched an eyebrow.

“I heard the same news.”

“He was pretty battered and bruised from the rocks under the cliff. They said he jumped and ruled his death a
suicide
.”

“He was a troubled man.”

“Don’t do that.” My voice lowered. “Don’t pretend, Nicholas Bennett. What really happened?”

“Apparently, Bryant wished to end his life.”

“I’m not stupid, Nick. How much did it cost you to keep this quiet?”

“Bryant made a few reprehensible, unredeemable decisions, and now he’s gone. I don’t want you to concern yourself with it.”

“I deserve to know the truth.” My gaze passed from Nicholas to Reed to Max. “From all of you. Haven’t we kept enough secrets from each other? It always ends with one of us hurt. Usually me.” I shrugged. “Sometimes Reed.”

“I promised you I’d do everything in my power to keep you safe.” Nicholas approached only to kiss my forehead. “I’m doing that, Sarah.”

I didn’t want to say it, didn’t want to think it, but his name was bitter on my tongue.

“And what about Darius? When will we be safe from him?”

“Soon.”

I shook my head. “That’s not good enough.”

“We can’t act on it and the company too. You wanted it this way. You wanted his family—and you got me. You wanted his empire—now you own it with me. Take your victories when they come, Sarah. Believe me. They are very few and far between in this world—”

It was a thud.

Not a flutter. Not a little tickle.

A freaking
thud
.

I gasped, my hands covering my belly. Nicholas paled, reaching for me. Max knocked his chair over. Reed leapt over the couch to my side.

“What’s wrong?” Nicholas squeezed my arm. “Sarah, what’s wrong—”

“Bumper…”

“Are you okay? Does something hurt? Here, sit—”

I grabbed Nicholas’s hand, pushing his palm against my tummy.

“No,” I whispered. “Bumper’s…bumping.”

The books said it would feel like a poke, but it wasn’t. More like a popped bubble and then a swift
twump
. I lost my breath in a teary gasp.

“He’s kicking?” Nicholas said.

“He’s
kicking
.”

Reed lunged at us, and I guided his hand to the little bumps. I waved Max over as well.

“Max, come touch this.” I wiped the tears from my cheek, blaming the hormones for the quick burst of overwhelmed joy and tender embarrassment. “It’s fucking weird.”

Max tensed, crossing his arms. “It’s fine.”

“Max.”

“Sarah, really.”

I might have thought he wasn’t attracted to me while pregnant, but I’d seen his glances, sensed his heat. Max avoided me for too many reasons, and it ached to not know why. He watched my lip tremble as I called for him, sighed, and shifted closer. He offered his hand, and I placed it over my tummy.

Bumper stopped. Max shrugged.

“I don’t feel it.”

“I think that’s all he did,” I said. “I’m sure he’ll do it again, just wait…”

Max pulled away. He skulked to the bar to pour yet another drink.

“We’ll bring him a picture of the sonogram.” Nicholas squeezed my hand. “Excited about the appointment?”

I was more than excited. I was thrilled.

Nicholas and I had never been…happy. The thought rocked me. We were in love. We survived so much horror. We had the company. Each other. But we never had the chance to exist beyond all the insanity.

Bumper kicked again.

I rubbed the swelling and fought the weepy tears. The
good
tears. “Let’s go see our son.”

Reed wished us luck, but I’d need more than that. I hated doctors and hospitals, though my pulmonologist never made me strip when he chastised me for my chronically disappointing lungs.

Not so for the OBGYN.

Everything about the office intimidated me, from the backless gowns that either revealed too much of my bump or all of my butt to the weird metal instruments I didn’t want anywhere near me. Nicholas promised ice cream when we were done.

I wanted a cheese steak sub instead. Except without the steak.

I scooted onto the exam table. Nicholas squeezed my hand as the doctor jokingly referred to him as Daddy.

“All right, Ms. Atwood.” Doctor Liam squirted a bit of jelly over my tummy. “Your weight looks okay. The bloodwork is normal. How’s the asthma?”

“Fine,” I said.

She knew better and asked Nicholas. “How’s the asthma?”

I answered for him. “I use the inhaler maybe once a week.”

“Twice,” Nicholas said. “Twice this week.”

Doctor Liam nodded. “Well, as you progress, you might find the shortness of breath worsening. I want you to schedule a follow-up with your pulmonologist after this appointment. Tell Doctor Miller it’s important.”

“I’ll make sure he sees her,” Nicholas said. “Immediately.”

And he would. Nicholas had already summoned him on a house call to the penthouse after I had a particularly bad night of coughing. Doctor Miller wasn’t thrilled by the interruption to his schedule, but the invoice was more than satisfactory to earn his personal cell-phone number.

The gel spread over my belly, and Doctor Liam pulled the ultrasound machine close. She grinned.

“Okay, let’s see the little guy.”

Nicholas took my hand. I swallowed the excitement, holding my breath as the screen blinked and then he was
there
.

In all his fuzzy glory.

The black and white contrast of a little head, wiggling toes, and a whole lot of bumping as Doctor Liam harassed him with the wand to make him move.

“Okay…” She took a few pictures and nodded. “The baby is growing very nicely. Getting plenty of oxygen, even if Momma isn’t.”

Hilarious
. I politely smiled.

“And everything is looking just perfect. Here’s Baby’s head, and down here is Baby’s little arm. Let’s see if we can turn a little—”