Atlas nods, a hint of a warm smile on his lips. The big man called Grizz ducks his head like he’s not used to accepting recognition.
Viper appears to be sizing me up and doesn’t acknowledge my comment. Instead, he asks, “Any bleeding?”
I’m caught off guard by the abrupt question, but I shake my head. “No, none that I can see. I didn’t check my bandages.”
His eyes are an unnerving pale blue, and they seem to almost look past me. “I meant between your legs. You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”
I was about to get back into the bed, but I freeze. “How did you know that?” I’m barely showing, and my curvy build makes my emerging baby bump even less noticeable.
When Viper doesn’t answer, Atlas speaks up. “You were shielding your stomach in the crash.”
That hardly seems like evidence, and it flares my suspicions, but when I look down, I find my hand there now, fingers splayed, palm protectively cupping my midsection.
“No bleeding,” I tell Viper in a near whisper.
“Cramping?” He’s cool and clinical. I can imagine him as a doctor holding a clipboard, rather than a lumberjack-looking type in his denim and flannel.
I shake my head, relieved to confirm the absence of these symptoms.
“How far along are you?” Atlas asks.
“Four months. Everything was good at my last checkup.”
“Okay,” he says. “Is there someone in your family we should contact?”
“No, no family.” Preston was going to be my family.Preston.My veins turn to ice at the thought of him finding out my location. “You can’t tell anyone where I am.”
Joints crack as Atlas tilts his head to the side. His fingers curl into his palms. “What happened, Kira? Why were you running from your wedding?”
My gaze drops to my hand, where my engagement ring still circles my finger. So ostentatious. Even though it wasn’t my style, I’d thought the size of it was a representation of Preston’s love for me. Now I know it was only for appearances.
It feels heavy as a boulder.
The shock of what I overheard about assassination contracts and political corruption wars withdisbelief that the man I was about to marry could be involved in such darkness. But the way he acted afterward eliminated the doubt I would have naturally had.
“I … I found something out that I wasn’t supposed to hear.”
Atlas’s brows lift, one of them arching, and I’m sure he’s about to ask for details, but I’m not saying anything else. I don’t know if I can trust these men, and if I can, I don’t want to give them information that will put them in danger. Even telling them who my fiancé was would be telling them too much.
“Can we talk more later? I’m hungry, and I’m tired.”
Viper frowns, but Atlas agrees. “Get some food in you. Is there anything you need?” When I shake my head, he says, “We’ll be nearby. Call out if you need us.”
The three of them leave, and then I’m alone with my thoughts. Not a pleasant place to be. I focus on my food, trying not to think about how the man who claimed to love me is the reason my jaw aches every time I take a bite of toast.
I eat slowly, and by the time I’m done, my eyes are heavy.
I drift in and out of sleep for another day or so, occasionally aware of the men checking on me, tending to bandages, bringing more food. I make trips to the bathroom on my own, but mostly I sleep, and when I can’t sleep, I lie awake, my mind spinning.
Atlas comes in with a shopping bag at one point, and I look up when I hear the paper crinkling.
“Roads were clear enough to go into town today. I got some clothes for you. We can get more things when you’re up to it.”
“You bought clothes for me?”
He unpacks his purchases and sets them on a chair, refolding some items so they stack neatly. “Pajamas, slippers, a couple of pairs of pants, and a few shirts. When you’re feeling up to a shower or bath, you’ll have something new to wear.”
“I’m doing much better. I’ll probably be ready to leave soon.” They’ve been wonderfully kind, but I figure they’re not planning on me moving in with them.
