He lowered his mouth and kissed her temple, his lips hovering there for a long moment. “I’m sorry.” He wasn’t sure if he was saying sorry for the repeated nightmare or sorry the entire thing had happened in the first place. Maybe everything.
“Having a baby wasn’t something I ever really considered,” she said quietly. “But in the few short months I was pregnant, I started picturing my life with this child. Making space for them. Loving them. And then in one second, they were taken from me.”
His arms tightened around her.
“What if it happens again?” she asked, fear now slipping into her words. “What if we lose another baby?”
“No matter what happens, I’ll be by your side, and we’ll tackle it together. You and me.”
She blew out a long breath. “You and me.”
“Always.”
She drew a circle on his chest. “Because it was unexplained, I always wondered if…”
“What?”
“I was sad. So sad and so stressed. What if—”
“No.” His voice was firm, leaving no leeway. “It wasnotyour fault.”
There was a small pause where even her finger on his chest stilled. “I started to blame myself. I felt alone and lost and angry at myself for being so stressed out. That was my rock bottom.”
He would never forgive himself, not if he lived a hundred years. “You’ll never be alone again. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Promise me.” Her eyes clashed with his, almost desperate. “Promise me you’ll never leave me again, even if the most dangerous, psychotic terrorist steps into your life and tells you to end things with me.”
“Never.” He said it like a vow.
She studied his face, searching for something. Then, as if she’d found what she was looking for, she lowered her head again, pressing her cheek to his chest right over his heart. “Good.”
CHAPTER 29
Callie took a deep breath as she glanced at her reflection in the mirror. It was a new day, and it was going to be a better day.
Yes, she was pregnant, but this time things were different. She wasn’t alone. Lock was with her, and he’d remain with her, no matter what happened. And every time she forgot that, every time she was dragged back into the past, she’d just remind herself again.
She tugged her hair up into a ponytail. Lock had left a few minutes ago. He’d said it was to work, but a part of her didn’t believe that. Would he go to a job the day after she was almost kidnappedandfound out she was pregnant?
Doubtful. But then, if not, where was he and why had he lied? Maybe Antwan or Jesse, her assigned babysitters, would tell her.
Her phone vibrated and she looked down at the text.
Aspen: I’m in the kitchen. Come out when you’re ready so I can give you the biggest hug of your life.
Aspen was here. Good. She needed time with her best friend. She stepped out of the bedroom, listening to the voices in the kitchen.
“When are you going home?” Aspen asked.
“Home?” Antwan responded. “I don’t really have one of those right now. I sold just about everything. But eventually, I’ll find somewhere new to live. Jesse will probably leave before me. He misses Amber Ridge. A hell of a lot more than I miss my hometown.”
“Why don’t you like your hometown?”
“There’s just not much there for me anymore.”
Callie stepped into the kitchen, and they both looked up. Aspen was across the room in a second, pulling Callie into her arms.
“Oh my God, it’s so good to hug you.” Aspen pulled back, inspecting her closely. “Are you okay? And I want the truth, even if I’m not going to like it.”
