She shifts in her sleep, makes a small sound. My arm tightens around her automatically.
Months ago, I thought of her as Jackal’s little sister. Someone to protect from a distance, to make sure stayed safe without getting involved.
Now she’s in my bed, possibly carrying a child that could be mine.
17
BONNIE
My stomach lurches before I’m fully awake.
I bolt upright in Ghost’s bed, hand clamped over my mouth, and barely make it to my old bathroom before the nausea wins. I slam the door behind me and drop to my knees in front of the toilet, retching until there’s nothing left.
When the heaving finally stops, I slump against the cool tile wall and press my forehead to my knees. Sweat beads on my skin despite the chill of the bathroom floor. My whole body trembles.
This is the third morning in a row.
The realization hits me like a fist to the gut. Three mornings. Three times waking up sick. The breast tenderness Ghost noticed last night. The exhaustion that’s been dragging at me for weeks.
No.
I push to my feet and grip the edge of the sink. My reflection stares back, pale and hollow-eyed. When was my last period?
I count backward. The cabin.
Nothing since then.
“Fuck.” The word comes out as a whisper.
My hands shake as I splash cold water on my face. This can’t be happening. Not now. Not with everything else falling apart around us.
I need to know for sure.
I grab my phone from where I left it charging in my old room and scroll to Snake’s number. My thumb hovers over the call button. It’s barely seven in the morning, but Snake’s always been an early riser.
He answers on the third ring. “Bonnie? You okay?”
“I need a favor.” My voice sounds steadier than I feel. “Can you not ask questions?”
A pause. “What kind of favor?”
“The kind where Louie goes to the drugstore and buys something for me. Something I can’t get myself because I can’t let it get traced back to me.”
Another pause, longer this time. When Snake speaks again, his voice is careful. “What do you need?”
“A pregnancy test.”
Silence stretches between us. I can practically hear his brain working, putting pieces together. How long I’ve been with Ash. The timeline. The implications.
“Shit, kid.”
“Please don’t lecture me. I just need to know if I’m right.”
“I’m not lecturing. Give me an hour. I’ll have Louie drop it off at the front gate. Tell whoever’s on duty it’s tattoo supplies for you.”
“Thank you.”
“Bonnie.” His voice softens. “Whatever that test says, you’re gonna be okay. You hear me?”
