Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 56628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
“I got a text right before the place exploded. It said, ‘time’s ticking, gorgeous’. Besides Jessie, Vin is the only one to call me gorgeous, and he only does it when he’s threatening and belittling me.”
“Fucking hell,” Tristan cursed right before someone knocked on the door, most likely my doctor. “Come in!” Tristan called, stepping back from me as a doctor stepped into the room.
The doctor gave me a warm smile as he moved over to my bed. “How are you feeling, Adelaide?” he asked me.
I shrugged. “Kind of burns when I breathe, and I’m still really tired.” I hated how hoarse my voice sounded.
He nodded. “That’s to be expected. I want to keep you here tonight to observe you since you are pregnant, and we’ll see how everything looks tomorrow.” I sighed. I hated hospitals. “I did an ultrasound while you were out with your husband’s consent.” I shot a dark look at Tristan, but he just evenly met my gaze. Sighing, I looked back at the doctor expectantly. “The baby seems fine as of right now, but if you begin to notice anything that seems even the tiniest bit abnormal, hit the button for the nurse.”
I nodded in understanding. He smiled. “Let us know if you need anything.” Then he was slipping from the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.
Tristan turned to Jesup. “Call River and Tank. I want them stationed outside of this hospital room door. No one gets in this room besides you and me, the doctor, and her nurse on duty.” Jesup nodded, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “Tell Dray and Wren that I want them on surveillance around this hospital, and one of them is to keep an eye on this hospital room window at all times. I’m not taking any more fucking chances. Not a goddamn soul comes near her without first being approved by one of the club men.”
“Got it,” Jesup told him, pulling his phone to his ear.
I looked up at Tristan. He looked exhausted and stressed, but under all of that, I saw how worried he was that he wouldn’t be able to properly protect me from Vin. I grabbed his hand in mine and tugged him closer to the bed. “Lay with me,” I quietly requested, giving him a small smile.
It was dangerous as fuck to want to be close with him like this, but I needed his comfort. Too much shit was happening back-to-back lately, and my rock was gone. Tristan was now all I had to keep me from spiraling.
With a soft sigh, he kicked his boots off and laid on the bed beside me, pulling me into his arms without a single complaint. I sighed softly in contentment, nuzzling closer to him as I began to drift off into peaceful oblivion again.
My mind slid to Joey, and I frowned for a moment.
Somehow, Joey, I know you’re looking over me.
He always had. Somehow, someway, Joey always found some way to protect me.
I just wished he was physically with me.
I wanted him—just him. I covered my belly with my hand, tears threatening to fall from my eyes.
Joey, baby, why?
Chapter Sixteen
Adelaide
Iabsentmindedly tapped my fingers on the bar, listening to the construction crew that was finishing up the rebuilding of the part of the clubhouse that had burned down. Tristan was holding church, and the club girls were more than likely still passed out in their rooms after the party that was held last night in celebration of my coming home from the hospital.
Zyla came out of the back, fully dressed and showered, her hair done perfectly, her make-up on point, just like she always used to be. She was Jesup’s ex, and she had taken off with another man who had more money a few years ago. I honestly wasn’t shocked to see her back here. Besides, we all went through our own shit. I wasn’t one to judge.
“Good morning,” she chirped.
I tiredly ran a hand down my face. “I wish it was,” I grumbled. “I’m exhausted. I’ve been up since two this morning with morning sickness.” This baby was kicking my ass, and it was nothing more than a bean. I was getting taken out by a fucking bean.
She gave me a sad smile, pain flashing in her eyes for a moment before she smothered it. “Shit sucks, doesn’t it?”
I cocked my head to the side, my curiosity piqued. “You ever been pregnant before?” I bluntly asked her.
She swallowed thickly, looking down at the bar as she picked up a random glass and began to wipe it down, removing fingerprints and watermarks. “Once upon a time,” she finally said, leaving it at that.
Before I could respond or pry a little more, a loud bang on the clubhouse doors drew my attention, and Zyla and I both looked at each other before I grabbed my gun from the small of my back. I slid off my barstool and moved toward the door. River, who had been left out here to protect me, motioned for me to stand down, his blue eyes warning me to heed his order. With gritted teeth, I stood back, watching as he shoved the door open, his gun drawn in front of him.