Page 7 of Vengeful Pawn

“Castle,” she whispers, her eyes moving to where the man stands behind me.

“No fucking way,” I hiss. No way he gets her.

“Take your fucking hands off my sister, Hendrix, or we’re going to have a fucking problem.”Shit.My princess is his sister.

A million emotions flash in her eyes as she stares up at me. The strongest being confusion, and as much as I’d like to alleviate that, I can’t when Castle is breathing down my neck.

“Sorry, princess.” After one more quick peck on her lips, I let her slide down my body, still amazed at the bump she’s showing off. Turning around, it’s clear that Castle is ready to kill. “Didn’t know she was your sister when we met,” I explain, but he’s not having it.

“You motherfucker. You fucked her, knocked her up, and fucked off with your life. I should skin you alive.” Castle steps forward, only stopping when Cross slaps a hand across the large man’s chest.

“Wasn’t like that.”Except it fucking was.“I went back for her. I tried to, but she disappeared.” Glancing at my girl, I recognize guilt on her face, and I frown as I really think about it. “How long have you known?”

Standing straighter, her eyes narrow on me. “About two months. You left a thank you note; you don’t get to be mad.”

“A thank you note?” Castle chokes, and I hear a scuffle behind me, but his sister has my sole focus.

“I’m sorry about that, princess.” I shake my head because thatwasa dick move. “Can we go somewhere private and talk?” She softens slightly before nodding her head and clasping my hand.

Castle curses behind us, and I briefly glimpse my parents' shocked faces where they stand at the bar. If I know Mom, she’ll calm Castle’s ruffled feathers better than I ever could.

Princess leads me down a hall and through a kitchen before we enter a bedroom in the back of the bar. “It’s kind of a spare room,” she says, closing the door. It’s sparse, with a loveseat, a queen-sized bed, and a small table with a window above it.

Sitting on the bed as she takes the sofa, the silence makes me question the idea of speaking privately. I’ve never shied away from anything in my life; however, this has me more nervous than when I was medically discharged from the Army.

CHAPTER 6

MiaBella

My heart rate accelerates, and I’m afraid I’m about to pass out. The butterflies erupting in my stomach don’t do much to help the situation, either.

Castle had been pissed when I wouldn’t tell him who the father was, and I’ve been waiting for him to calm down ever since to ask how I could get in touch with Hendrix. I had no idea he was so closely associated with my brother’s club, or I’d have never let the man into my bed. Gazing at his eyes now, I know that’s a lie. This man has some kind of hold on me, and I’m not sure why.

“Tell me something, princess.” His calling me that slightly rewires my hate for the pet name.

“What?”

“Your fucking name.” He appears ashamed, asking that.

Snorting out a laugh, I ease his suffering. “MiaBella Dion.”

“MiaBella.” It’s his turn to laugh. “Fitting. Beautiful.”

We’re quiet again, and I wait for Hendrix because I don’t know what to say. This wasn’t the situation I thought I’d find us in.

“The note was a dick move on my part. I was in a bad place.”

“It’s not like either of us thought a baby would be a result.” I’d been on the pill for years, never changing brands, never forgetting to take a dose. I wanted to wait until I was in a stable and committed relationship before having children.

“Yeah, I suppose.” Hendrix blows out a deep breath. “I’m not partner material. Hell, I don’t even think I’m father material.”

Anger bubbles up inside me. “I wasn’t asking you for anything.”

“I know. I know.” His head drops, and he says something, but given the quietness of the words, I realize it’s not directed at me. When he lifts his head again, his eyes are as lifeless as the night we met. Hendrix has some demons, more daunting than I anticipated. “I’m not trying to blow you or the baby off.” His eyes meet mine for the first time, and the flicker of vulnerability simmers my anger down. “I want to do the right thing, to help you take care of the baby. I’m just not worthy of you…of them.”

“Not worthy?” I force the words out. “Who the hell has put that in your head?” That damn anger is back again. I don’t know Hendrix very well, but the fact that he’s so concerned tells me his opinion is wrong.

“Me,” he groans, closing his eyes and dropping his head back to stare up at the peeling paint on the ceiling. “I’ve done things, Mia, bad things, to innocent people. I’m not worthy of anything anymore.”

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