Page 52 of Devil's Dilemma

My eyes crease. “You’re sleeping on a sofa? Why?”

Pyro’s eyes close briefly, then reopen. “Because you’re in my room.”

I had no idea. “Why aren’t you in another one?”

“We’re short of space, Mel. No others were available.”

Vi delivers her parting shot, then walks off carrying the cushion, presumably to put it away until tonight, while I’m still trying to process the fact Pyro’s been sleeping uncomfortably while I’ve taken his bed.

“No, Mel. Before you even think it, I’m not going to let you swap places. I’m quite comfortable now I’ve got myself sorted. You’re a pregnant woman and need a bed.”

I really don’t know what to say.

I’m quiet on the short journey to the doctor’s, realising how much the man beside me is doing for my comfort and never complaining. Well, not to me. Vi had known he was suffering from a stiff neck.

As if he knows I’m still worrying, after he parks the car, his hand touches my chin and turns my head. “Darlin’, I used to be in the Army. I’ve had far worse places to lay my head. Believe me, a soft couch and a pillow is a luxury compared to some of the places I’ve slept. There’s nothing you can say which will change the situation.”

“Thank you?” I offer, as a question. The words seeming inadequate as they leave my mouth.

“That’ll do,” he responds, simply. Then, “Ready to do this?”

I nod. “Yes.”

Chapter Seventeen

Pyro

Ihadn’t intended to accompany Mel to the OB/GYN today. In my head, it was women’s shit, and Violet seemed the obvious choice as her companion. It hadn’t been until I’d overheard the women talking after Mel had had an early night and gone to bed the previous evening and heard shit which had changed my mind.

“Poor girl,” Mo had said. “Skull should be here with her. Hell was amazing with me. He came to every appointment right from the start.”

“I know what she’s going through,” said Violet. “I had to go by myself. I felt so alone, even though Vicky was with me. Happy expectant couples all around me, and there I was, without a man.”

“Pal would want to be with me.” Jay laughed. “I wouldn’t be able to keep him away.”

I’d cursed Skull in my head. What the fuck is the man doing leaving her to cope all alone? Okay, so he doesn’t know she’s pregnant, but she could be going through anything as far as he knows. Not the least worrying and missing him. Another sign, surely, that the man has to be dead. Why else would he stay away from his woman, let alone his club?

Skull should be there to support her at her appointments, to share every step of the pregnancy with her. If he can’t be, then I’ll have to step up instead.

Whoa. Hold on there. Why me?

I have no answer for my own question, yet it already seems I’m already invested in Mel having a baby. It was me who was there and who read the positive sign on that pregnancy test. Seems by doing so, I’ve become unwittingly involved. She might not be having my baby, but I’ll give her the support she needs until her man returns. Though that seems to be increasingly unlikely.

I wish she hadn’t learned I’d not only given up my bed for her, but that I’d had no place other than the clubroom to sleep instead. I've gotten used to the couch, and that pillow properly positioned does indeed help my neck.

Though Skull will undoubtedly be with us today—he’s the baby’s father after all and she won’t be able to forget—I didn’t want to raise his spectre in a negative way. Therefore, I’d refrained from telling her there will probably be more space in the clubhouse after church tonight. As nothing has happened, lockdown is bound to be lifted. Mel’s not stupid, she’ll realise two options will have been taken off the table. The first being that Skull himself is gunning for the club, which would be good in her eyes, but the other, that an enemy is holding him captive. No longer considering that as a viable possibility is basically admitting he is dead.

I hadn’t thought it through, I realise, as we sit in the waiting room along with an assortment of women in various stages of pregnancy, many with their partners beside them. It’s not being here that bothers me, but the form I’m asked to fill in.They think I’m the father and want my medical history.I put it aside, raging again that there are things we don’t know. Has Skull got any genetic issues that might have a bearing on the baby’s health? There’s no way of knowing.

Mel’s biting the tip of the pen as she completes her own information.

Discreetly, while waiting, I study the room’s other occupants. Noting one man looks excited, another bored, and the last like they’d rather be elsewhere. The women, though… There’s one who seems likely to drop any day now, and I wonder if Mel will have the same glow on her face when she gets to that point. Fuck, but she’ll look beautiful when the baby starts growing, I fucking know she will. For a moment I wish her baby was mine, and like the proud excited father, I could take personal pleasure in today. But it’s not. I’m not even her partner.I’m lucky. A woman and baby would tie me down.

When our time comes, we’re shown into a room where we wait for the doctor.

It’s not long before she enters. “Right, now, Melissa, isn’t it?” When Mel nods, the doctor looks at me and frowns. “You didn’t fill in your health information.”

“I’m not the father,” I say fast. “He’s unable to be here, so I’ve come in his place.”

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