“We need to talk, Parker.”
My chest tightened. Her tone worried me.
“Okay.”
“Go sit on the bed. I’ll be right there.” She turned and went back into the bathroom.
I sat on the edge of the bed as thousands of scenarios ran through my head. Was she leaving? Was she done? I swallowed hard at the thought.
She returned from the bathroom, sat next to me, and handed me a white stick with two pink lines. I stared at it, my brain unable to process what I was looking at for a brief moment.
“Paige.” I stared at her.
“I’m pregnant, Parker. That morning, when you thought I had the flu. It wasn’t.”
“How long have you known?” I reached over and grabbed her hand.
“A few days. I wanted to tell you that night, but you were so upset about your case and the ADA. How do you feel about it?”
“I’m still trying to process.” I smiled. “And you?”
“Same,” she sighed. “A baby was never in my plans. It isn’t who I am.”
“Paige.”
“Just listen, Parker.” She stood from the bed. “My life has always been about control, surviving, and not needing anything or anyone. Then I met you and everything changed. You told me to trust a little each day. And then a little more. You changed me. You broke through when I never thought it was possible. You accepted me for who I am. For the first time since Hearthstone made me their little experiment, I’m scared. I thrive in dangerous situations. I’ve killed powerful people. I’ve walked into war zones without hesitation. But this? I don’t know the first thing about raising a kid, and it terrifies me.”
“Come here.” I held my arms out, and she climbed on my lap. “I don’t either, but I’m happy, sweetheart.”
“You never told me you wanted kids,” she said.
“To be honest, I never really gave it a thought.” I ran the back of my hand down her cheek. “But knowing you’re carrying my child, a child we created out of love, changes everything. It’s what we did together.” I smiled. “We don’t have to figure everything out right now. We’ll take it one day at a time and figure it out as we go along, like every other first-time parent.”
“You’re right. And I couldn’t ask for a better man to be my child's father. I love you, Parker. When I never thought love was a possibility for me, you showed me it was safe. I want you to know that I’m all in. As terrifying as it is, I’m all in.”
“I love you so much, Paige.” I pulled her into me and held her head against my chest. “We’re having a baby.”
She lifted her head and smiled. “Yeah. We’re having a baby.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Parker
“Amanda, tell my brothers I need to see them.”
“Right away, Parker.”
I was sitting behind my desk. My hands were clasped behind my head as I stared out at the busy city.
“You wanted to see us?” Julian and Roman stepped into my office.
“Yeah. Paige found out that ADA Benton is under the control of the DeLuca Family. He’s dirty.”
“I hope Paige took care of him.” Julian grinned.
“They had a little chat. Angela Ruiz will be changing her testimony.”
“Paige didn’t hurt him, did she?” Roman asked.