Page 105 of Reaper's Rival

“I meant how lucky I was to have you.” I threw the pillow back at him. “You sure know how to turn something positive into something negative.”

“Cursed is more like it.”

I stopped packing the suitcase and turned right around. “I’m not cursed because I met you. If I hadn’t met you, we wouldn’t be having this baby, and I would never have the experiences I do.”

“Yeah, because your life would be so much worse off if you didn’t get shot, you didn’t go into a coma, and you didn’t end up knocked up by a guy that doesn’t deserve you.”

“You really need to think more of yourself, Kade. You are a blessing, not a curse. My blessing.”

“Did you hit your head while you were in there packing or something?” He looked at me seriously.

“Whatever.”

“So you going to talk to Kim and see what her deal is before we leave?”

“Well, I’m weighing it because she might have the bright idea of joining another gang,” I teased. “No, of course I’ll go talk to her. Just wanted to finish packing before I did, but seeing as that is never going to happen…”

I got up.

How the hell had I managed to collect so many clothes? Basically, most of them didn’t fit me at the moment anyway. I was half tempted to just leave them here.

“Well, I’m heading to the bar then if you’re going to deal with your sister.” He jumped up and reached for a top, threading it through his arms.

He paused, standing over me, offering a hand down to me, which I took.

“Don’t get worked up; it isn’t good for your blood pressure.” He had a hand on my stomach. “So no yelling at Kim.”

“Who said I was going to yell at her?”

“Cause she isn’t the sharing type, and you get frustrated easily.”

He knew me too well. I rolled my eyes and wiped his hand off my stomach. “You have a bar to get to, and I have a sister to sort out.”

He grunted but held back his words.

Kim wasn’t going to break easily, but surely whatever it was that had her in this shitty mood would be something she would be glad to get off her chest. Or at least that was what I liked to believe.

***

“I told you nothing is wrong.” Kim slammed the door in my face, which I then just opened and walked in.

“Right, so what is with the mood?”

“Just piss off to your man already, would you?” She threw herself back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling.

“Look, Kim, if this is about me leaving, you know you can always come with us.”

“It’s not about that.”

“Then there is something.” I smiled, satisfied. I knew there was something wrong.

She sat up on her elbows, her eyes piercing mine. “I’m just over the happy couples. I’m over Dad’s bad mood. I’m over Trigger treating me like I’m invisible. I’m over these same walls.”

“Then come with us.” She wouldn’t know how much of a favor she would be doing for me. It scared me not knowing anyone up there, only Brad, and he will be busy with Kade. “You would be doing me a favor. Kade and Brad are going to be joined at the hip, and I’ll be home alone with a baby.”

That was what really scared me. Being alone.

“I’ll visit.” Her face softened. “You’ll be fine. You have nothing to worry about.”

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