“That guy is falling hard,” she says, pushing through the door to the back. I bite my lip as I look at her. She smiles as she links her arm through mine. “You are too, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, I think I am,” I say.
“Good, it’s about fucking time,” she says, pushing into the room that she is sharing with Zane.
I look around as I sit on the bed. “What are we doing?”
“I wanted to ask you privately how you’re doing. I know this is a lot and I wanted to make sure you’re alright,” she says.
I sigh as I wrap my arm around my flat stomach. “We talked about it all. I’m scared something bad is gonna happen, but he asked me to trust him, so I am trying to do that.”
“That’s what you need to do. They are up against some shit, but they’ll do whatever is necessary to keep us safe.”
She looks so happy and comfortable. I think deep down she lives for this kind of shit. She likes the rush and the danger. I guess when you grew up surrounded by it, it’s just normal. It reminds me I wanted to talk to her about everything. There’s no one else I trust more than her.
“Harper, how do you separate the Zane that kills people to the Zane that loves you?” I ask, nervous for her answer.
She pulls her legs up on the chair and wraps her arms around them, resting her chin on her knees. He
r blue eyes sparkle as she looks at me. “I don’t really. I love him entirely for who he is and what he does.”
“You said once that the killings don’t bother you. I need you to help me understand it, because that’s the thing I am having the most trouble with. How can he kill someone and come home to me and the baby acting like it was just another day?” I ask.
She smiles as she looks around the room at all their things. “Killing someone isn’t something they do because they want to. It’s necessary to survive. Remember, it’s kill or be killed. Kace killing someone and coming home to you and the baby is how he makes it just another day. He did what he had to do to ensure you are both safe and he shouldn’t be judged for that.”
I think about what she said and try to see it her way. It’s just difficult for me. I think I might need to understand the club better in order to see it all differently. Harper understands it all and they all respect her for it. I’m not looking to have the connections she has with them. I understand fully that she grew up with them, but I’d like to fit in.
I peel my eyes away from the ugly carpet and glance at her. “How can I fit in?”
She laughs as she stands up, pulling me off the bed. “You fit in by being here. Come on, let’s go get a drink.”
“I can’t drink or smoke. I’m going fucking crazy,” I whine.
She smiles as we walk out the door to all the noise. “Another reason why I’m never gonna get pregnant.”
Zane pulls her away from me and kisses her while I slowly walk away. When I was young I figured my life would be so different. I planned to fall in love, get married, and have kids. I seem to be doing it backwards here. I got pregnant and I’m starting to fall for Kace, yet Zane and Harper are desperately in love and married with no chance of having a baby. Life never goes as you plan it that’s painfully clear.
“Everything alright,” Kace whispers in my ear as he wraps his arms around me from behind.
I melt into him, enjoying his warmth. “Yes,” I breathe out.
He tightens his hold on me, resting his hand on my stomach. Tears fill my eyes and I feel like a damn teenager because in the short time away I’ve missed him. He spins me around and his brown eyes search my face.
“With all the shit going on, I was thinking we could tell them you’re pregnant. Give everyone something happy to focus on,” he says, looking around at everyone then back at me. “If you’re okay with that.”
He looks so hopeful. I could never deny him. “I think it’s a great idea,” I say, smiling up at him.
A huge smile spreads across his face as he grabs my hand and pulls me up on the stage with him. I feel my face heating up as people start focusing on us. This isn’t what I thought he meant.
“Hey!” he yells. “Hey, shut the fuck up!” Everyone slowly stops talking and gives Kace their full attention. I tighten my hold on his hand and he glances down at me. I see the playfulness in his face as he gives me a wink.
“What the fuck is going on?” Riley yells.
Kace smiles at me before looking up at everyone. “I’m gonna be a fucking dad,” he shouts. “Ivy is pregnant.”
The noise is deafening. The cheers of surprise and congratulations are endless. Zane jumps up grabbing both me and Kace into a hug. “I’m so fucking happy for you both,” he whispers.
Kace slaps his back and we all get off the stage. Strangers to me congratulate us as we make our way through the crowd. Kace has a strong hold on my hand as we approach the rest of the club. Brooks is the first to step forward. He hugs Kace and kisses my cheek.