“I’m not leaving your side.”
“What if I promise to visit you tomorrow?”
“No. I’ll visit you. And I’m bringing a meal.”
“Dad—”
“I’m bringing a meal, Callie.”
She sighed. “Thank you.”
Her father pulled her into a gentle hug.
He’d just left the room when Lock got off the phone.
“Everything okay?” she asked, not really sure she wanted to know if it wasn’t.
“Yeah, just organizing a new lock on the bedroom window. Jesse and Antwan are working on it.”
“They’re good friends.”
“They feel like shit for not being there tonight.” He lowered to the chair beside her. “I’m sorry.”
“Lock—”
“I should have gone into the house with you.”
“You can’t be everywhere, all the time.”
“It’s my job to protect you.”
She reached up and cupped his cheek, letting the warmth of his skin seep into her hand. “You did. You protected me. I’m here and safe because of you.”
“If Elle hadn’t screamed—”
“But she did. Is she okay?”
He placed his hand over hers and turned his head to kiss the inside of her wrist. “She’s fine. Worried about you.”
The door opened and a middle-aged woman stepped in, red glasses on her nose and clipboard in her hand. “Miss Ward, you’re awake. I’m Doctor Feldon. How do you feel?”
“Pretty good, considering what happened.”
“Yes, being drugged with chloroform is more dangerous than a lot of people realize. Fortunately, the tests show you’re both okay.”
Callie frowned. “Both?”
“You and the baby.”
Every muscle in Callie’s body froze, sending a chill down her spine. There was a beat of silence where she wasn’t sure if she or Lock even breathed. She didn’t look at him. She couldn’t take her eyes off the doctor.
“I’m pregnant?”
“Yes. The test is fairly accurate. You’re early, but definitely pregnant.” The doctor frowned. “You didn’t know?”
Pregnant. A baby was growing inside her…and that was terrifying.
CHAPTER 28
