Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“I’m okay.”
“Liar.” He chuckled even as he admired her strength. “Now, how are you really feeling?”
“It hurts like hell.” She bit down on her lower lip and sucked in a shallow breath. Tears shimmered in her pretty eyes, and he felt her pain deep in his gut.
“I know.” He put a hand on her uninjured shoulder. To his relief, she didn’t flinch or pull away.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I was with your brother when he got word of shots in the parking lot. We ran outside, I heard it was you . . .” He shrugged. “And here I am.”
He wondered exactly what he was confessing with the admission. His emotions were in turmoil and obviously they were about to be tossed around even more. “Erin—”
“Cole—” she said at the same time.
“Were you going to tell me?” Or was she too humiliated by the thought of being pregnant with his child?
He wouldn’t blame her, but that didn’t change the fact that the baby she was carrying was his responsibility.
Oh, man. Baby. Responsibility. Jesus.
“I was trying to find the right time. And the right words.” Her cheeks turned pink. She still hadn’t met his gaze, but now she looked him in the eye. “You don’t question the fact that it’s yours?”
He cocked an eyebrow, surprised. “I question a hell of a lot of things in life, but this? No.”
Her lips turned down in a frown. “Because I’m such a good, sweet girl, huh?”
No, because he knew through the grapevine she hadn’t been seeing anyone lately. He’d have expected her to be relieved he wasn’t going to argue paternity. Instead, she’d sounded more annoyed by her reputation.
He shook his head, telling himself this was no time to be amused or find her reactions cute. “If it helps, you weren’t such a good girl that night,” he said, memories and heat swamping him.
She managed a laugh, which had been his intent. Now for the harder stuff. “About the baby—”
“I’m keeping it.” She attempted to fold her arms across her chest but groaned in pain, tears finally leaking from the corners of her eyes.
His heart clenched in his chest. “Stay still, dammit.” He curled his fingers into fists, feeling useless and unable to help her.
“Don’t yell at me!”
“Then don’t assume I’d ask you to get rid of my kid!” he barked right back.
They glared at each other, and Cole realized they’d just had their first major disagreement . . . while still managing to come down on the same side.
“What the fuck did I just hear?” Mike asked, shoving through the closed curtain, his glare bouncing between Cole and Erin.
* * *
One look at her brother’s horrified expression, and Erin shrank lower in the bed. What a nightmare, and she wasn’t talking about being shot. Shot! In her sleepy hometown, in the police station parking lot, of all places.
Although figuring out who fired at her and why should be her brother’s biggest priority, Mike looked as if he were about to attack Cole, and Erin wouldn’t allow that. “Mike?”
“What?” he asked, his voice gentling when he looked at her. “When did this bastard take advantage of you and why didn’t you tell me?”
She pointed at his clenched fist with her good hand. “That’s why. And he didn’t take advantage of me. It was mutual.”
“He should have damn well used protection!” Mike thundered, his voice raised.
Erin’s embarrassment flew off the charts. “Shh!”
“Quit embarrassing your sister,” Cole said in a more subdued voice. “Not that it’s any of your business, but we did use protection.”
Every time, Erin thought, but knew better than to say that out loud. “Accidents happen,” she said instead.
“Well, I hope he intends to—”
“That’s enough!” Erin used what strength she had left to yell at her brother before collapsing against the hard pillow behind her. “This is between Cole and me. I know you care, and I understand you’re upset, but you need to stand down.”
“Or take it out on me when we’re alone. Back off your sister,” Cole said, sounding more protective than she’d imagined him being.
Then again, she didn’t know how he’d handle things. Considering the way he’d heard the news, so far so good.
“Sam’s on his way, and so is Cara,” Mike said, still obviously seething, but holding it in.
Erin sucked in a breath. “You can tell Cara when you’re alone. I don’t expect you to keep secrets from your wife, but I’d appreciate you letting me tell Sam myself. Same with Mom and Dad, and not until they come home.” She pinned Mike with her most serious glare.
“Fine. How’s your arm?” he asked, his voice softening.
“Hurts. I have to see what the doctors will let me take for pain since I’m pregnant.” Before that could get him worked up again, Erin changed the subject. “Have your people found anything on the shooter?”