Page 28 of Hawk's Cry

“You’re pregnant, Olivia. You don’t need any stress. And reading what you’re not saying, that’s what Eli’s causing you. I love my son, but he made his own bed. It’s for him to lie in, not you.”

But the more they try to persuade me, the more adamant I become. “I’m not returning. Maybe when the baby’s born, he’ll feel better. Maybe he’s just worried about me. He’s still hurting, you know? He’s sleeping badly because of the pain, and he doesn’t eat well. Once he’s healed, he’ll be back to himself. Yes,” I say, knowing it’s me I’m trying to convince as well as them, “once he’s healed and the baby’s here, we’ll be fine.”

Sam’s eyebrows rise.

“There’s a chance, isn’t there?” I insist. Either the baby will make things right, or we’ll have to accept the life we’d planned together isn’t going to work out. The doubt in their eyes makes me add, “I’ll promise you this. If, after the baby’s here, things are no better, I’ll come back. I’ll have to, won’t I? For the sake of my son or daughter.”

Both sets of eyes stare at me, then Sam lightens the mood. “Where have you gotten to with names?”

That I can answer. “Sage for a girl. Not so sure about a boy. Kai, perhaps?”

“Eli like those?”

I nod. I took his indifference when I mentioned them as having no opinion either way.

“So, what’s the news from the compound?” I don’t really want to hear how life’s going on without me. To give them credit, Sam and Mom simply say everything’s much as it’s always been, and don’t go into much detail, other than in one instance.

“Really?” My eyes go to Sam when she tells me. “Drummer’s VP?”

She nods. “Temporarily. There was no one else waiting in the wings, so Wizard wants to work on bringing someone up to speed.”

“Dad didn’t want it?” I’m surprised. As the previous VP, shouldn’t he have been first choice?

Mom moves her head from side to side. “Wraith’s worrying himself bloody sick about you, Liv. His head is not in the right place.”

Suddenly I realise I’m selfish staying away. “Tell him I miss him, okay? Tell him I will visit soon.”

We then move on to talking about anything and everything as we used to, making me realise how much I’ve missed their company. We discuss movies or series we’ve all watched and books we’ve read. I made them crack up when I describe a scene in one of my latest books.

Sam’s giggling. “And they really thought that’s how an MC works?”

I nod vigorously, grinning myself. “And the number of bodies they left behind. Even Road’s track wouldn’t be long enough.”

Mom says sharply, “And what the bloody hell do you know about Road’s track?”

I roll my eyes. “I live, lived,” I correct, “on the compound, remember?”

Eventually it’s obvious the restaurant would prefer us to leave and vacate the table for patrons who might buy something to go with their coffee. We hug and kiss, me hanging onto my mom for an extra few seconds before reluctantly pulling away.

“Let me know when I can come visit,” Mom says.

“Me too.” Sam’s got a look of longing on her face. “Give my love to Eli.”

As I promise I will, they turn to head away, being parked in the opposite direction to me. As they start to walk, I hear Mom lean in and say to Sam, “Your son is a bloody wanker.”

“He’s an asshole,” Sam agrees.

I have to smile. You might take the Brit out of Britain, but Mom will always stay true to her roots.

I watch until they disappear, then, extracting my key from my purse, turn to walk to my own car. I bump straight into someone who uses his hands to steady me.

“Hey, imagine meeting you.”

I look up. It’s the man from a week or so back when I’d been ruminating in the sun that day. “Oh, yeah. What a coincidence.” Tucson must be a lot smaller than I thought.

“Gabe,” he reminds me. “I’m Gabe.”

“Gabe.” I nod back. “Well, I must be on my way.”

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