Page 263 of Wild Card

No way he’d find them.

The day in Target flashes in my head. Joseph’s accusation… but no one was there.

The huge man appearing around the corner.

The nagging feeling of recognition.

My ankle, the tampons, the pregnancy tests.

It hits me with so much force, I fall out of his lap.

“Declan’s bodyguard! Tender, Trainor, or —”

“Tavers,” he finishes for me.

“I knew he was familiar. Was he following me?”

“Not exactly.” He situates me again on his legs and shares the story from Robbie.

Once again, I find it oddly romantic how he was watching out for me. I remember the other part. “So, you also know about…?”

“Wynn cornering you? Yeah, I know and I’ll deal with him.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to discourage him, but it’s a waste of breath. I choose to focus on the other.

“I can’t believe Declan’s bodyguard narked on me. And now all the guys know?”

“They’ll keep it quiet.”

“Hardly, y’all are a bunch of yappers.”

He lets out a howl of laughter. “Yappers? Can’t wait to share that one.”

“My point, you share.”

“Baby, the guys are solid. Your secret is safe until you’re ready.”

Well, that’s a little relief. “We should probably see a doctor first.”

“Ten a.m. we see your doctor.”

“How’d you arrange that?”

“I may not have been able to call, but I had hours on the plane to take care of business. Now let’s talk about the wedding. My mom expects to hear from us soon.”

Before I can ask more about his parents, there’s a loud knock, the door cracking open.

“Willow, Talon, we’re back and coming in,” Mom announces loudly.

“We’re in the living room, fully dressed and not having sex on kitchen surfaces!” I scream and Talon tenses.

“What the fuck?”

I burst into giggles. “Let me tell you what happened to me, again…”

37

TALON

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