“More than eight weeks?” Dr. Hannah asks. “If not, we’ll have to do a transvaginal ultrasound.”
“To be honest, I know I’m less than twelve but over six. I also haven’t been to the restroom or checked since the cramping started to know how bad it is.” With each word I speak, it rips a little more of my soul away.
The look Dr. Hannah gives me is filled with so much empathy and understanding that I must look away to avoid breaking down completely. Andre’s heat wraps around me as he steps upto my back, standing close but not close enough to touch me. A shiver runs through me and, not for the first time, I wish more than anything he was mine and I was his so he would pull me into him and tell me it’s all going to be okay—to tell me he is here for me, and I don’t have anything to worry about. As much as I want that to be my reality, it isn’t.
“Tesoro, what’s going on? Why are we in here?” Andre murmurs quietly.
All I can do is shake my head as the words are stuck in my throat. Thankfully, Dr. Hannah saves me from having to say anything or acknowledge him.
“Do you want him to stay in the room while you undress from the waist down?” she asks me.
I can feel him snap to attention behind me. “Why the fuck would she need to get undressed from the waist down? She fell down the fucking stairs.”
Sighing, I pull up my proverbial big-girl panties and ready myself to face the Don of the Kardoni family with the news that I’ve been keeping secrets from him.
“I’m pregnant,” I state with no emotion.
Five
Andre
“What did you say?” I demand just trying to process her words.
Tinsley rolls her shoulders back, leveling her icy blue eyes on me. “Before the fall today, I was pregnant. After I fell, I thought everything was fine until I started cramping, which could mean I’ve lost the baby.”
I stand there with my jaw on the floor, just blinking at her, trying to process all the emotions currently coursing through my body. When I land on one I know and can hold on to the easiest, I do—and what happens next is what I deserve.
“Seems your brother was right to be concerned. I wonder what your parents would think if they knew you were running around spreading your legs for any and everyone.” I sneer, anger boiling hot in my gut at the thought of another man doing the things to her body that I did andstilldream of doing again.
The words aren’t even completely out of my mouth before she strikes. Tinsley doesn’t slap me for my words. No, my Tesoro punches me. I hiss, stepping back and cussing at the pain exploding across my face. When I look back at her, I expect her to look shocked or even embarrassed about what she just did—but no, what I see is righteous anger and pure heartbreak. Then, in a manner that I’ve only seen very few people do—all emotionsare gone. It’s like looking at a shell of a person who would rather put you to ground than deal with you.
“Thank you, Mr. Kardoni, for providing me transportation to the doctor. If you wouldn’t mind leaving, the next procedure to be had is private.” Her tone is so sickly sweet I’d be shocked if she didn’t have a cavity.
I drop my head back, staring up at the ceiling and trying to stop the spinning in my head. I finally look back at her stone-cold face. Balling my hands into fists, I give her a nod before turning to leave through the office. My men automatically step in behind me without a word. My head is spinning, my emotions are beyond turbulent, and nothing is currently making sense. As I slam through the backdoor and out into the cool December day, I’m able to take a breath.
“Fuck,” I hiss with my hands on my hips.
“Yep,” Bryce states flatly.
Spinning around, I glare at him. “Something to say?”
He smirks at me. “Nope.”
“Goddamn it. I just fucked this all to hell,” I groan, looking down at the ground.
“You did,” Bryce supplies.
“Fuck you, Bryce,” I deadpan.
“As tempting as that offer is, I can tell you I am not your type.” His tone never changes, like he’s just bored with every conversation.
I flip him off and start pacing beside the car, trying to process what has just happened.
“Boss, we’re out in the open and there aren’t enough men here to make sure everyone is covered,” Bryce tells me.
“What the fuck am I supposed to do? I don’ttrulyknow her. We spent one night together months ago before I knew who she was. Now she’s hiding in my house and taking care of my grandfather. She was hired because I couldn’t stand the thought of her being anywhere else. FUCK!” I shout because I know I sound like a rambling lunatic.
“Andre, you brought her on because she graduated at the top of her class. Do I believe that there was and still is alterative motives behind the reason, yes.” Bryce steps up beside me dropping his voice, “What I’ve learned from my assignment and taking out the trash is that we both know whatever bullshit you spewed back there in the office was just that—bullshit. Don’t let fear be the reason you can’t be happy.”
