A contraction ripped through her belly, stronger than any other one she’d felt before. Her hands flew to her stomach, trying to ease the pain any way she could think of. But that was just it… she couldn’t really think. Darkness flashed at the edges of her vision and her heart was pounding loudly in her ears as she swayed on her feet.
“Jess. Shit. Just breathe… fuck, we need to get help.”
She doubled over, panting heavily as the room spun. No. She needed to get a grip. Bee needed her to breathe.
“Don’t. Don’t come any closer.”
He held his hands up by his face and took two steps back.
“You’re in labor, yeah?” He shook his head. “Fuck, Blue Jay. Let me go get you help. Let me get Hawk and Birdie.”
She nodded as she took two more steps back, her legs shaking as she tried to stay standing. No. He couldn’t leave. She needed him to stay. To get Colt there to arrest him. Oh god. Bee stretched against her cramped space and Jessie groaned.
“Just sit tight. I need to grab my phone off the porch. Don’t… just don’t move, Jessie. It’s going to be okay.”
She nodded, keeping her eyes trained on the floor. But as soon as his shoes were out of sight, Jessie rushed towards the back porch. She moved as fast as she could, cursing the weight of her belly and how it slowed her down. She didn’t look back, even as she hit the wide open field.
Thirty-Seven
“You’re off two inches to the right!” Hawk yelled as Hayes nodded, driving the tractor forward before inching backwards to line up to the trailer hitch. It was hot as hell outside, and Hawk was damn thankful Jessie had agreed to stay at the house and rest. She was still a few days out from her due date, but she’d been up the last couple of nights with prodromal labor pains and they were both running on empty.
“What the fuck?” Colt’s voice cut through Hawk’s thoughts. His eyes left the trailer hitch to follow Colt’s line of sight.
And as soon as he spotted her—hands under her belly, running towards him like her ass was on fire—Hawk was vaulting the hitch, running as fast as he could. Closing the distance, he watched as she looked up, finding him. She stopped, planted her feet to the ground, and promptly doubled over, retching into the field.
“What the fuck happened? Are you okay?” Hawk’s hand landed on her back as she groaned.
“I need…”
Hayes and Colt ran up next to him. “Jessie? What’s going on?”
“Dakota… he’s the one…” She was panting so hard Hawk thought she might pass out. “He has… a dragon tattoo.”
Hawk’s eyes snapped to Colt’s. “Where is he? Where did you run from?”
“Our house. I need to sit—” Jessie’s legs gave out and he and Hayes both moved to catch her.
“Fuck. Jess. I’ve got you.” Hawk got behind her and lowered her gently to the ground. She sat nestled between his legs, her head immediately resting on his shoulder. Hawk pressed his fingers to her neck, her pulse beating wildly beneath his touch. Then, he turned to Hayes. “Can you get Stone? Tell him to meet us at the main house. I’m going to carry her there.”
“Yeah. I think Birdie’s still here, too, helping Beau with the craft tent setup. You want me to get her?” Hayes asked.
“No… We’re not going to the main house. We’re going… to Lach’s.” She shook her head against his chest. “Just need to catch my breath. God, do you know how hard… it is to run… right now?”
“Jessie—” Hawk wanted to argue, but Jessie stopped him. She sucked in a breath, color returning to her cheeks.
“Colt. Go. Stop Dakota. He’s... I’ll explain… later… but you have to get him.”
“Okay. I’ll go see if I can track him down. You’re sure, Jessie? You’re sure he’s a part of it?”
She winced, and Hawk tightened his hold on her. “He told me. It was him all along.”
Colt and Hayes both left them sitting in the middle of the field.
“We need to get to Lach.” He heard the pleading in her voice, but there wasn’t anything more important than making sure she was okay.
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine. We have to tell him. I can’t imagine. That’s his best friend, Hawk. Dakota almost killed him.”
