Page 100 of Missing Marcus

“Wolf’s team will watch us once we arrive and Leo’s team plans to follow us. You don’t have anything to worry about. We’ll return home and wait for the raid. Do you still have the earrings in?”

“Yes.”

He tilted her chin upward to face him. “Nothing will happen to you. I promise.”

She smiled and nodded as her eyes dampened with tears. “See, it’s the hormones.”

Patch honked outside and Marcus kissed her before standing and taking their luggage outside. Her cell phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Gabrielle. It’s Tex. I heard you’re visiting Wolf and the team. Quick, what’s my number?”

She rattled it off the correct way and then backward.

Tex let out a laugh. “I see you spoke with Caroline and Alabama, good job. You’ll fit right in there at Serenity. Those women fit right in with Wolf’s team. They’re strong and smart as hell. Don’t worry about anything, Gabby. I’m watching over you this weekend.”

A foreboding took her over last night and try as she might, she couldn’t shake it. Tex’s reassurance comforted her. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He disconnected the call.

“Are you ready?” Knight asked as he waited by the door.

No.“Yeah.” She picked up her purse and followed him to Patch’s truck. Marcus helped her up and stretched the seatbelt across her stomach, settling it low under her belly.

They made the short drive to the hospital. Marcus helped her down. “I’ve researched vehicles for you and the baby. How about an SUV?”

“I need a job first. I’ll need to run the numbers and check on insurance, and licensing fees for Washington.”

“What happened to your car?” he asked as he helped her up the steps.

She glanced down guiltily. “I sold it. It took too much of my budget when I made the payments and paid the insurance.”

“Damn it, Gabrielle. I’m sorry.” He shook his head. “How did you get to work before you got the promotion?”

“Seattle’s got an excellent transit system. It ran only a block from my apartment,” she explained as they entered.

His jaw ticked and his expression turned hard. Gabby let go of his hand. “Please, Marcus, I don’t want to fight.”

He glanced down and forced himself to take her arm and smile. Inside his gut twisted into knots. He put her through hell. She sold her car because she could barely afford the apartment he sentenced her to. He saw the cupboards and fridge contents. Not to mention, she walked in an unsafe neighborhood.

“I’m not mad, baby. You only told me the truth and I deserve to hear how I hurt you.”

“I didn’t tell you to make you feel bad, I meant I ran the numbers…”

“Hey. It’s the first doctor’s appointment I’ve attended. I’m a bit nervous,” he lied. “Don’t read anything into it. For once, it’smynerves getting to me.”

“You’re not the one getting on the scale,” she retorted, now a bit more relaxed.

“I promise not to peek. Besides, you’re beautiful pregnant or not. I read people say women glow while expecting. It’s not the right word. You’re radiant.”

She beamed at his compliment. “Thank you.”

They knocked on the office door. Dr. Beecham’s secretary ushered them inside. “The nurse will come for you shortly. Dr. Beecham wants to do an ultrasound today, due to your recent hospital stay. She said to assure you it’s only a precaution.”

Gabby glanced at him and smiled while he held her hand and widely grinned. “I guess you’ll see the baby after all.”

“I won’t lie. I hoped we might get a peek.”

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