Page 135 of Devil's Dilemma

Instead of answering him with words, I take the pregnancy test out of my purse. I don’t need to say anything. Immediately Pyro stops worrying about anyone coming in, in fact, I think he stops breathing as I enter a stall. Moments later I come out.

“What’s it say?”

“Got to give it a minute,” I remind him. And, as I’d done so many months before, I put it into his hands.

I could be pregnant, or the nerves of the upcoming wedding might have muddled up nature. Pyro stands, his eyes fixed on mine. I know he wants this to be positive, as much as I do.

I don’t look away from his face as he glances down. Then he throws back his head and draws in a deep breath.

“Fuck,” he growls.

My face falls.

“Best fuckin’ wedding present in the world.”

Wait. What?

“Ro?”

Before he can answer the door opens behind him.

“Get out,” he roars, without turning around to check who it is. The unknown person must have decided their need wasn’t urgent as the door immediately closes again.

“Ro?”

His hands tremble when he hands me the stick so I can see for myself. There’s a plus sign. I’m having Ro’s baby.

He picks me up, spins me around, then quickly puts me back down. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have…”

“I’m not made of glass, Ro.” I grin, wondering just how protective he’ll be now I’m pregnant again. “And let’s keep the news to ourselves, for now.”

But Pyro’s looking at me intently as he seriously says, “No, Mel. I want everyone to know. If heaven forbid, anything is going to go wrong, I don’t want to suffer in silence or hide the pain.” His hand cups my face. “Everyone out there, sweetheart, well, this will make their fuckin’ day too.”

Put like that, how can I refuse?

We exit the bathroom, finding a line waiting outside. Beth’s crossed her legs and is bouncing with her hand between her thighs. It’s so exaggerated, so I know she’s putting it on. But I don’t have a chance to say anything, as Pyro grabs my hand and takes me back into the ballroom.

He motions to the DJ who cuts the music mid-song, then bangs a spoon against a glass. When everyone is looking our way, he, to my embarrassment, holds the stick I’ve just peed on high in the air and yells, “My wife’s fuckin’ pregnant.”

The room erupts.

As if he hadn’t made it clear the first time, Pyro shouts again, “Mel’s havin’ my baby!”

My parents are the first to come up to us. Mom has tears in her eyes, and I know she’s remembering what happened before. Dad congratulates Pyro, then has to move off as everyone comes over to give us their best wishes. When I’m hugged for the tenth time Pyro starts warning them off, pulling me to one side protectively.

“It’s early days,” I repeat over and over again. But no one seems to care about that.

When my friends and the Tucson club have had their say, Red approaches. “Really good fuckin’ news, Mel.” He leans in and kisses my cheek, then shakes Pyro’s hand. “If anyone deserves to be happy, you two do.” I expect him to walk away, but he hasn’t finished. “Clare’s staying close to the Vegas club, thought you should know.”

“She okay?” I ask, genuinely wanting to know.

Red’s brow creases. “She’s strong, became independent when he was gone such a long time. She’s well able to cope on her own. Problem is, the bastard isn’t taking it well, and is trying for custody of the kid. Threatening her to get her to go back to him. She’s worried about him planting evidence to say she’s an unfit mother. Seems none of us knew what a motherfucker he really was, not even the woman who’s been by his side for seventeen years.”

“Asshole,” Pyro snarls, then raises his jaw toward Red, who jerks his chin in return.

“Hey, girl.” Beth’s pulling my arm, dragging me away from the two men.

They both wave me off, Ro’s eyes following me as I’m pulled across the room.

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