Page 55 of Under Pressure

“I’m all done here. I’ll let you get to that,” the technician said, packing up his tools and moving to the front door.

Kendra nodded, seeing him out and locking the door behind him. She glanced up and down the street before shuttering her blinds.

She moved quickly toward the baby room, hearing the cries growing louder and louder as she approached. Pushing the door open, she proceeded to coo and assure the little guy that everything was okay. She was never going away again.

“Good afternoon, sweetheart,” Kendra sang to Leo in his crib as she bent over to scoop him up.

Cradling him in her arms, she asked him how his nap had been and checked his diaper. He smiled back up to her with his darling little face. She shuffled backward until she found the rocking chair and plunked down. Rocking ever so gently, she kissed his soft forehead. God, he smelled so good.

“I love you more than anything,” she whispered to him, hoping he understood.

Leo settled in her arms, staring back up to her in delight. As she rocked and rocked, she sang him nursery rhymes, making him smile. His rosy cheeks were enough for her to do that all day long. She was all he really knew, but one day, she was going to have to tell him. She had no idea what to tell herself, either.

One thing was for damn sure. She was never, ever going to have a relationship with Delta. She couldn’t even process how that had ended, still stunned at what she’d seen. The only thing that still mattered was her son and doing everything she could to protect him.

She wasn’t sure how long she sat there, holding Leo close, but eventually Sienna popped her head into the room, holding a warm bottle.

“Is someone hungry?” Sienna beamed at the baby, handing the bottle to Kendra.

“You should just relax. I’ve been putting too much on you.” Kendra grinned up at her big sister, taking the bottle to feed the baby. Leo latched on immediately, hungrily drinking the milk.

“I told you. You are working, and I am not,” Sienna reminded her, crossing her arms in the doorframe. “You’ve been looking so exhausted lately.”

“Thanks,” Kendra replied sardonically.

Sienna tilted her head. “Emotionally exhausted.” She paused and walked into the room to start folding the baby blanket on the back of the rocking chair.

Kendra focused on Leo, feeling the warmth and support of her family all around her. Times like those, she didn’t know what she’d do if she was well and truly alone.

“That’s a pretty intense security system,” Sienna probed. “You think that’s really… necessary?”

Kendra bit her lip nervously, unsure how to reply. Yes, she thought it was necessary—but didn’t want to scare her sister. She was holding Leo tight, but she didn’t know if she could handle it if Sienna left.

“Is this about Delta?” Sienna continued. “He’s making you think you need it?”

Kendra looked up, giving her sister a serious look. “Yes.”

Sienna launched into it, venting, “That asshole. He’s always trying to control you.”

“It’s not about him trying to control me,” Kendra started, taking in a deep breath. “It’s about what he can’t control.”

“Which is?” Sienna drew closer, waiting on her.

“Himself.”

A little stunned, Sienna parted her lips as she absorbed Kendra’s statement—darting her focus across her sister’s face to better understand. Kendra pulled Leo in tighter as she repositioned him to start burping. Holding him against her shoulder, she methodically tapped his back.

“What do you mean?” Sienna finally responded.

“There’s something inside Delta that he can’t control, like a switch,” Kendra said, rubbing circles on Leo’s back. “I’ve seen it. It’s not normal.”

“Well, what about the lab results? His glove?”

Kendra rocked her baby, letting out a low breath, and looked back up at her sister. She regretfully explained, “Lily called me this morning about the results—the paperwork had just been couriered down from Bakersfield.”

“And?” Sienna stepped forward.

“Someone stole the results.”

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