“I know.”
She shot a glance over her shoulder at the door, then dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I know the club wants you to help them take down the Strikers. Clearly the stress of that and moving to a place that you don’t know with people who’d been holding a grudge against you for a long time is taking its toll. Nearly fainting outside wasn’t nothing. No matter what, you need to do what’s best for you and the family you’re creating. The baby comes first. I know there’s a lot of pressure from Slade and the other Steel Titans members, but protect that baby, yourself and Cole. That’s all that matters. If a choice needs to be made, I think it’s more than clear what the right one is. I’ll help you in any way I can. I know what it’s like to be pushed around by domineering, overbearing men with their own agendas.”
Before I could get a word out to respond to her beautiful, heartfelt words, she knelt down in front of me and took my hand. “I’m a veteran at living an isolated existence, always shoved into the corner by the boys. You’re stronger than me, a real warrior. But you’re not alone now either. Cole will fight for you, even against the club. And if you let me, I’ll also help you in any way I can.”
“Lucy, you don’t need to feel guilty about the way things went down all those years ago. We all made mistakes back then. That’s all in the past now.”
The bell over the door chimed and Mason strode back in.
“You good?” he asked Lucy.
“Yes. Thanks, baby.”
He nodded, then stopped by my chair, putting my shopping bags down on the edgy looking vibrant purple rug with a silver zig-zagging design. I finally took in the shop for the first time since I’d been carried in. It was amazing.
Vibrant, edgy colors that reflected the personality of Lucy, herself.
Jewelry was on display in cases, on shelves, on jewelry trees.
Everything was well laid out.
Clearly, a lot of care and detailed planning had gone into every element of the room to create the amazing boutique jewelry store, Bluebell’s.
“Your store is amazing,” I told her.
Her face lit up. “Thanks.”
“It’s been a long time coming,” Mason piped up. “She’s killed it with this place.”
“Baby,” she said, blushing.
I chuckled.
“Here,” Mason said, putting an end to my laughter as I saw him holding my phone out to me. I hadn’t realized until now that I hadn’t had it with me. I must’ve dropped it on the street earlier, along with my bags.
Something flashed in his eyes briefly as he handed it over, but it was gone so quickly that I didn’t have a chance to figure out what it meant. Weird. Then again, everything between him and I was a little weird.
It was shocking how one mistake could impact so much for so long.
And a real shame, too.
“Thanks,” was all I managed,
He smiled, actually smiled at me. “No problem, sweetheart.”
“Nat,” Lucy called. “We were wondering if you and Cole were up for having dinner with us?”
“I—”
“We’re finally all settled into our new place and we’d love you guys to be the first over.”
I looked at Mason. “For real,” he assured me.
“I… okay, sure. That’d be nice.” What else could I say? They were extending an olive branch. I couldn’t just dismiss it. There seemed to be a real chance now for us all to make amends and fix what was broken between us. I couldn’t pass that up.
I had to try.
After all, it was all I could do.
Lucy had been a great friend to me before our friendship had been fractured. And, more than ever before, I could really use one right now.
16
~Natasha~
“WHAT’S WRONG, TASHA?”
I jerked my head toward the sound of the voice to see Cole strolling out of the bathroom, his brown hair wild and damp from towel drying it, his sexy abs on full display, just a white cotton towel hanging low on his hips. The delicious sight of him was an instant turn-on.
“Damn,” I breathed, licking my lips at him.
He grinned. “Finally, those pregnancy hormones are working in my favor.” He crossed to the bed and perched beside me. I was sprawled out all cozy under the covers. His humor vanished, concern taking his place as he pressed, “Something’s up.”
“You’re far too perceptive for your own good, you know that?” He’d been able to tell just from the look on my face as I’d been staring off into space deep in thought.
“I know.”
“I’m just thinking about everything ahead of us.”
He reached out and took my hand. “I know you’re worried. It’d be stupid not to be. But we’ve got this. We’re going to do this the cautious, smart way. I’ve got your back, the club does, too. Everything will be fine. I promise.”
I felt sick hearing him work to reassure me when I was holding onto a big secret. If he knew about Slade’s plans, the deal we’d struck, there was no way he’d let me go through with it, though. And then we’d be worse off than when we’d started. Me not accepted by the club. Him having to keep his distance. Our baby growing up with only one parent.
No. No matter how hard it was, I wouldn’t tell him. I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize the mission. We were so close to having what’d we’d both wanted for so long. And I was going to make damned sure it happened.
Needing to shift the focus, I changed the subject, moving on to something lighthearted. “Do you feel better after the doctor assured us everything is fine with the baby?”
Mason and Lucy had
