Page 85 of Code Violation

He must’ve waited for Julian to leave the building and then snuck in a moment later.

“When were you planning on telling me, Vesper?”

My eyes track back to my purse. It’s open, and it wasn’t when I left it on the bar a few minutes ago.

Slowly, Kane turns on his heel, and that’s when I see it—the leaflet in his hands, the one Dr. Buendia gave me at our appointment the other week.

The one titled Navigating the Early Stages of Pregnancy.

“What do you mean?” I question, knowing exactly what Kane’s referring to.

Folding the leaflet, he tosses it on the bar. It slides off the edge and onto the freshly mopped floor.

That action right there is a perfect example of why this man will never make a good father. Not while he treats everything and everyone around him like trash.

“How many weeks are you?” he asks, tone cold.

“Have you been waiting around all night to corner me after my shift?” I counter.

He scoffs and stuffs his hands into his pockets. “When did you learn to argue back, baby?”

White-hot rage bubbles beneath the surface of my skin. “Why? Does my confidence bother you?”

His eyes burn into me. “Are you keeping the pregnancy?”

My throat runs dry, and palms are sweating, but my fingers are icy. I should’ve known that he would assume the baby was his. Kane could never imagine me wanting or being with anyone else.

If I tell him that the pregnancy isn’t his to be concerned over, then his next question is obvious.

Whose is it?

But it will be a cold day in hell when I lie over something as huge as a baby.

I point to the front door. “You should leave.”

He moves toward me, and I step back, burying my trembling lips beneath my scarf.

Kane doesn’t get to witness my fear again.

Hostile eyes drop to my stomach. “You need to get rid of it.”

It?

“Kane,” I begin in a calm voice, ready to tell him to leave again when the door swings open and Mason walks in.

Like a knight in shining fucking armor.

Pulling on the bill of his Rogues cap, he looks between me and Kane. “I saw the light was still on, and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Kane chuckles darkly. “I’ll go ahead and assume you aren’t here to check on my well-being.”

Saying nothing, Mason takes the few steps toward Kane, stopping around a foot in front of him. They’re a similar height, but I’d definitely back Mason in a fight.

And by the look on Kane’s face, I’m pretty sure he agrees.

“Do you want Kane to leave, Vesper?” Mason’s deep voice is more of a growl as he doesn’t take his eyes off my ex.

I have never been more grateful to Mason for showing up tonight or more confused about why Eloise left this man in the first place. His kindness for others is evident.