Chasm
My fingers trembled as I took the picture. We never got one last time. I stared at the black-and-white image of a blob that didn’t look anything like a baby. It looked more like a peanut.
I glanced at Morgan, my eyes wide. Movement behind her caught my eye, and when Rian moved forward, all I saw was his hand on her back.
“Who the fuck is he?” I asked, hitching my chin at him.
“He’s one of my father’s men. From Louisiana.”
My eyes cut to her; she saw the question and sighed.
“My brother wanted me to go to Nebraska, and my father agreed. But King, the Sons of Hell president, said that would be the first place Stone would look for me. If he really were coming for me. So I went to Louisiana. To the Bourbon Kings.”
“To Devlyn,” I said.
“To Devlyn. But when I found out I was pregnant...”
“You came here.”
“I came here.”
I looked at the picture in my hand. My finger traced over the tiny body. “Are you okay?”
“So far.” She shrugged.
I looked at her then. I saw the fear in her eyes. The same fear that I was feeling. Fear that she would lose another baby. That I might lose her.
“Will you stay?” I asked.
“I’d planned to. But I can’t fight with you, Jude. It’s too much stress on the baby.”
“I’m sorry.” I took her hands in mine. “Let’s get—”
“Don’t you dare say it.” She pressed her hand over my mouth.
“But, Morgan,” I mumbled.
“No, Jude. We tried that once. It didn’t work. I’m here so you can be a part of your child’s life. But you and I don’t work.”
“Bullshit.”
“Jude.” Morgan shook her head, and I pulled her against my chest.
“Just try,” I begged into her hair.
“No.” She pulled back and took a step away from me. “I’ll stay here until the baby is born. But after I’m going home to Rosewood.”
“How can I be in the baby’s life if you live three states away?”
“My parents did it.”
“Morgan.”
“That’s my offer, Jude. Take it or leave it.”
A throat cleared behind me, and I remembered we weren’t alone. I looked up and found my brothers watching us intently.
“Fine. But you stay at the clubhouse.” She opened her mouth to protest, and I placed a finger against her lips. “We don’t know where Stone is or what his plans are. I need you and our baby safe.”