Page 103 of Dash

He flinches. “No, it won’t. But I promise, brother, we’ll protect her—all the girls.”

I clap his shoulder, swallowing down my fury.

I head over to my bike. Even though Dayna isn’t alone, my mind is screaming to get back to her.

As I ride through the city, I keep my wits about me. There’s always danger, but this time, it feels like it’s breathing down my neck.

I’m not raising my kid in a world where I’m scared to take them outside.

So, fuck waiting.

Fuck the perfect time.

I’ll burn everything down before I let anyone touch what’s mine.

TWENTY-EIGHT

DAYNA

I’m sittingcross-legged on Dash’s couch, in one of his T-shirts, with Ivy and Katie. We’re making our way through a pile of snacks I raided from the pantry.

Ivy’s daughter, Seren, is asleep in her travel cot, snoring like a possessed but adorable walrus, and even though I feel like roadkill, I can’t wait to meet my own baby.

“You look happy,” Katie says, sipping her wine. I’m only slightly jealous I can’t have a glass. “And a little green.”

“I puked my liver up just before you got here.” It’s flippant even though I’m not sure I didn’t leave an organ in the toilet bowl.

She lifts my stolen tee, looking for a hint of my pregnancy. “How many weeks are you?”

“Eight-ish.” I don’t even have a hint of a bump yet, which feels like a cruel joke considering how wrecked I feel.

“So, how did you tell Dash you were pregnant?” Ivy asks, her eyes bright. I’m pretty sure she’s expecting some kind of Hallmark movie moment. It was not that. “And what did he say? I need all the details.”

“Well,” I lift my straw to my mouth and sip the juice, “we were being shot at and he threw me onto the ground. It was veryhot, you know, after the terror. I freaked out in case the baby got hurt and blurted out that I’m pregnant.” I shrug my shoulders. “And then I cried, because of course I did. I told him to leave me, because, again, of course I did, and…” I trail off because some things should stay sacred.

“Fuck,” Katie murmurs. Ivy just stares.

“It’s fine. We were fine. Anyway, I’m pissed he kept this place hidden. He has a shower with jets. Hot water in my place is optional. I don’t have any of my stuff here yet, but maybe it’s a good thing. You know, just in case he hates living with me.”

“He’s been dating you for months. If he was gonna run, he’d have done it by now.”

“There’s a huge difference between dating and living with someone.”

Ivy slides her wine glass onto the coffee table, raising a finger at me. “No. We’re not doing that.”

I blink. “Doing what?”

“What you always do. You talk about yourself like you’re a problem to be solved, like nobody could possibly want you in their space. It’s not happening. You’re happy. He’s happy. Just fucking enjoy it.”

I raise a brow, glancing at Katie, who just shrugs.

No help there then.

“I am enjoying it, but what if I give up my apartment and change my life in every way possible and then he walks away? Then suddenly, I’m left with nothing, trying to raise a baby on my own.”

“Or here’s an idea.” Ivy leans in and stage-whispers. “Maybe things just work out and you stay disgustingly happy with a man who dotes on your every breath.”

Katie nods. “Vee may have delivered it like some sort of self-help fortune cookie, but she’s right. I think you can relax, Dayna.Dash is in this. The man moved you into his apartment the moment he found out you’re pregnant.”

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