Page 12 of Reckless

“I can’t do it!”

He doesn’t hesitate. “You are doing it.”

Victoria lets out a broken breath that almost turns into another sob. “I hate this.”

“I know.”

“I hate you!”

For the first time since this started, the corner of Sin’s mouth threatens to move. “I know that too.”

She looks at him through tear-filled eyes, exhausted enough that even arguing sounds like it costs her. “No, I don’t.”

His thumb strokes slowly across her cheek, wiping away tears that are replaced almost as quickly as he catches them. “I know that most of all.”

Her hand bunches in the front of his cut, twisting thick leather around her fist like she’s anchoring herself to the only solid thing left in the room. “If something happens…”

Every muscle in Sin’s face tightens. “Nothing is going to happen.”

“Diesel…”

He leans closer until their foreheads are almost touching, refusing to let her look anywhere but at him. “Nothing is happening,” he repeats, and for the first time since I’ve known Sin, the certainty in his voice sounds like something he’s fighting to believe himself.

Marley glances up from between Victoria’s knees, calm but focused. “Okay, Vic.” She meets Victoria’s eyes. “One more big push.”

Every person in the room seems to lean forward without moving.

Outside, faint and distant, a siren begins to wail.

For one wild, stupid second, relief sparks.

Then Nitro’s voice cuts through, calm and merciless. “Still several minutes out.”

Of course.

Of course, the baby would decide the ambulance could be present for the afterparty but not the main event.

Victoria cries out as she bears down, the sound tearing through the clubhouse and taking every last breath in the room with it. Her fingers are crushing mine. I can’t feel half my hand anymore, but it doesn’t matter. Nothing matters except the woman beside me giving everything she has left.

“That’s it, Vic,” Marley says, her voice steady despite the sheen of tears gathering in her eyes. “I’ve got him. One more. Just one more.”

Victoria shakes her head wildly. “I can’t…”

“You’re almost there, baby,” Sin tells her, his forehead pressed against hers. “Look at me, sweetheart. I’m right here. Stay with me.”

She finds his eyes, and for one impossible second, everything else falls away.

The shouting.

The clubhouse.

The men gathered around us.

It’s just the two of them.

“I’ve got you,” he whispers.

Victoria lets out a broken sob that somehow turns into determination, every muscle in her body tightening as she gives one final push.