Unexpected Fate (22 page)

Pregnant.

Holy shit. Cohen is going to freak.

And my daddy is going to go apeshit.

THE NIGHTS ARE SO LONG here.

I’m left with nothing but longing to be home with my family and with Dani in my arms.

It gives me nothing but time to sit and think.

Think about the time I lost with Dani because I was too busy pushing her away.

Time I’m losing now because I’m over in this fucking hell, hunting terrorists.

And the worst feeling of all is that growing ache in my stomach that tells me I have to get home soon. I can’t explain it any other way. It’s a daily struggle to push the feeling aside so I can concentrate on my job and make sure I don’t get blown the fuck up in the process.

One thing is for certain in all of this. This time away from Dani has proven one thing to me. That one night I had with her in my arms will never be enough.

I roll over on the hard ground and close my eyes, and just like the night before and every one since I’ve been here, I see her smiling face.

THE DOCTOR COMES BACK IN the room, dragging some weird-ass computer behind her. She flips the light off before she has me lie back on the exam table, and she puts my shirt over my stomach before I can get over my shock. My leggings are wiggled down until they are resting just above my crotch. And then I let out a yelp when she squirts some goo on me.

“Sorry, Dani. I don’t usually run the ultrasounds, so I must have grabbed the gel that wasn’t in the warmer,” she mumbles more to herself than to me.

I look down to where her hand is moving some wand-looking thing around in the disgusting goo. This is so nasty. All of this work for her to tell me that she read something wrong.

I have almost convinced myself that there was no way she could be right. Hell, Cohen used a condom every time, so surely there is no possible way for me to be pregnant. I haven’t been throwing up. Everything has been normal. Just because I don’t have a regular period doesn’t mean I’m knocked up.

I am about to open my mouth and tell her just that when the oddest sound echoes through the small room. “What the hell?” I question at the noise. It sounds like thundering hoof beats.

“Well, that, Dani, is your baby.”

She sounds so pleased that I can’t help how my eyes narrow before the shock hits again. Jesus, it’s just the night for shocks.

I hesitantly look over at the monitor she’s pointing to before my heart stops for a beat before picking up. I have no idea what the heck I’m looking at. I just know it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my whole life.

My baby?

Cohen’s and my little miracle.

The doctor starts pointing to everything and explaining what I’m looking at. Every word she speaks, I soak up like a dying woman. Already head over heels in love with the child I was convinced only seconds before couldn’t even be possible.

Holy crap. I’m going to be a mommy?

Even through I’m scared out of my mind for what this means for my future—my future with Cohen—I let the love for this child wash over me and smile the brightest smile I’ve probably ever had.

“So . . . surprised but happy?” she asks.

“Very.” And I am. I really am.

“The baby’s father? I can print these images for you.”

“He’s overseas. But I would love to have a few copies so that I can show him when he gets home.”

“Of course. Do you know when he is expected to return? If you would like, just come on by when I’m on shift and I’ll make sure you guys are able to sneak a peek at this little one. You’re measuring right at twelve weeks, so unfortunately, it’s too early for a gender screen. But come back in a few weeks and we can see if that little one wants to give you an early show.”

“Thank you,” I breathe roughly when she hands me the printouts of my baby and moves to turn the lights on. “Hey, Doc?”

“Yes?” She looks over after she washes her hands.

“Do you know if there is a back entrance you can sneak me out?”

She throws her head back with a laugh and shakes her head. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. He’s just a little . . . overprotective.”

“I noticed.” She laughs. “I’ll step out and give you a minute. Congratulations, Dani. I want you to be careful. You shouldn’t be alone tonight because of the concussion. You also need to follow up with your gynecologist later this week. Is it okay to have your parents come back in now?”

“Uh, yeah. Can you mention to my dad about my headache or something? It should keep his temper in check if he knows he can’t freak out. Gives me a day or so to let this sink in.”

She laughs but agrees.

When the door opens five minutes later and my mom walks in, she immediately wraps her arms around me. I can tell she’s crying, but I wasn’t expecting to see a huge smile on her face when she pulls back. She leans in and gives me a kiss on my forehead.

“I love you,” she mouths.

I look over her shoulder and see my daddy. All six feet six inches of him, his tattooed arms crossed over his chest, and every vein bulging in his neck. His face is beet red, and his breathing is erratic.

Daddy is pissed.

“I love you, Daddy.”

“And I love you, my little princess,” he says, deflating some. Then, almost as if he remembered why he was so worked up, he stands tall again and his veins pop back out. “But I’m going to kill that motherfucker who touched you.”

Mom gives me a squeeze, and I stay silent. Because really, what am I supposed to say to that?

Predictably, Daddy wouldn’t take me home. He didn’t say a word, even through all my complaining. Mom just giggled in the front seat. My head was killing me, so I wasn’t willing to put up the fight. But I wasn’t staying. My plan to call Lee the second we got over there was foiled when he answered and said that he was on a date.

My father thoroughly enjoyed watching me stew in my anger over being held hostage by him.

“Fine. I’ll call one of the girls.”

“The fuck you will, Dani! You might not remember how this night started, but I sure as hell do. Until we figure out what is going on with these flowers and now that note—you aren’t leaving my sight.”

“I’m not staying, Daddy. I’m perfectly safe at home. And if it’s a problem, then Lee can stay with me.”

“Liam doesn’t own as many guns as I do,” he snaps, crossing his arms over his chest, again, in his international Axel sign for “don’t mess with me.”

“Lee is also a black belt and could kick even your ass.”

“Liam wouldn’t be able to do shit against a knife or gun, Dani. You’re safe here. I can keep you safe.”

“I’m safe at home!” I scream.

“I know you’re not going to argue with me, your father, who happens to own a fucking company that specializes in fucking security, that you’re going to be better off without me watching over you. News flash, little princess: there isn’t a single person that I trust to keep my little girl and future grandbaby safe.”

His eyes soften slightly when he mentions the baby, and I just know that, despite his anger, which I’m sure will make another appearance, he’s going to love this baby just as much as he loves Nate and me.

“Don’t you look at me like that, Dani. I’m still going to kill that asshole who knocked up my little girl.”

I’m not sure what it was in his tone that made me look back over at him. “What? I can tell you have more to say.”

“I didn’t want to get into this while everything that happened today is still so fresh, but I have to say . . . I’m disappointed in you, Dani. I never thought that you would do something like this to Cohen. I just hope that, whoever that bastard is, he’s worth the trouble he caused. I might not have told you, but I couldn’t have picked a better man for you to end up with than Cohen, and when he finds out you’re pregnant with another man’s child, I don’t see how that can end well.”

He turns and walks out of the room. His words hit me right in the gut before they slam directly into my heart.

Another man’s child? What in the hell!

I don’t even take a second to process my anger. I grab my cell out of my purse and search for the number I need. It doesn’t take long for the call to connect.

“’Lo?”

“Chance? Can you please come get me?” I hiccup through a sob.